Commercialisation Manager at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Commercialisation Manager within the Advanced Production and Security Division).The incumbent will be accountable for implementing the commercialisation strategy, deal making, and driving various initiatives for the Division. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities include:

• Originate, structure, negotiate and close commercialisation deals/ transactions involving advanced technologies, across the spectrum including funding and investment financings for further technology development, business formation and acceleration, through to commercial licensing and exploitation arrangements for technology / intellectual property;
• Mobilise funding for technology development and commercialisation opportunities by third party funding sources / instruments including venture capital, private equity, industry partners or public funding instruments;
• Evaluate the strength and advancement of research and development relating to inventions for readiness and market uptake, support market facing technology development throughout the innovation lifecycle cycle, from ideation through to monetization, and assess commercial potential and properly position opportunities with the right industry partners or vehicles for industrialisation and commercial exploitation;
• Develop, recommend and implement commercialisation strategies for inventions and technologies at varying stages of maturity; evaluate capital needs, market potential and return on investment; interact effectively with the research community, attorneys, external business professionals, financiers and corporate partners;
• Package technology / intellectual property (IP) for commercialisation and develop and drive industry fit and viable commercialisation / business cases as independently or as collaboratively as may be required, with technical and support teams in order to get the job done;
• Develop and implement appropriate modes of commercialisation for IP / technology opportunities including licensing, partnerships, joint ventures and new venture creation (start-ups and spinouts, incubation and acceleration), taking into account relevant aspects that include regulatory and compliance requirements (e.g. Reserve Bank approvals, PFMA, IPR Act);
• Form, advise on, and review proposals, technology development and commercialisation arrangements and contracts.
• Develop, lead and manage intellectual property development and protection strategies; managing the intellectual property portfolio  and associated reporting
• Account for a robust, balanced portfolio and pipeline of commercialisation and intellectual property projects and leads ;
• Effectively use market / business intelligence to inform the division and clusters’ Research Development and Innovation (RDI) agenda,  facilitate development of technologies for current and future competitiveness and ensure collaboration with industry and relevant parties locally and internationally;
• Lead and maintain in-depth stakeholder engagement in industry and the public sector at large;
• Keep abreast of all relevant legislation policies and processes;

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A  relevant B degree in Science / Engineering / Business / Finance;
• At least 5-7 years’ commercialisation experience in industry or leading Research and Technology Organisation (RTO);
• In addition a post graduate qualification in IP/Tech Transfer/Technology Management or relevant qualification;
• Legal / business / finance qualification would be an added advantage;
• Relevant industry experience, knowledge and networks for technology commercialisation and resource mobilisation;
• Relevant industry experience, knowledge and expertise in the development of commercialisation strategies, business cases, financial modelling, valuation, deal structuring and negotiation;
• Track record in investment markets/ private equity/ venture capital/ technology commercialisation;
• Excellent communicator with strong business acumen;
• High-level stakeholder management and industry-related networks;
• Excellent communicator with strong, demonstrable business acumen; and
• Strong people management and organisational development skills.