Managing Director: CSIR C3 at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Key responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute the strategic vision for CSIR C³ in alignment with CSIR’s broader industrial development and innovation goals.
• Lead the development and implementation of commercialization strategies for CSIR and partner technologies across all CSIR relevant sectors.
• Undertake periodic strategic reviews of CSIR IP portfolios.

Business Development and Partnerships

• Build and manage partnerships with industry, investors, and government to accelerate the uptake of CSIR technologies.
• Identify and nurture spin-offs, startups, and joint ventures based on CSIR and partner IP.
• Develop partnerships with CSIR internal stakeholders and IP developers.

Investment and Fundraising

• Attract investment to support commercialization efforts, including venture capital, public-private partnerships, and donor funding.
• Invest in viable enterprises that will provide a positive return to the CSIR and its partners.
• Oversee financial sustainability and growth of CSIR C³.

Operational Oversight

• Lead a team of specialists IP commercialization.
• Ensure effective governance, compliance, and performance management.
• Develop operational policies, frameworks, guidelines for the business.
• Obtain all necessary National Treasury exemptions to allow CSIR: C3 to function effectively.
• Implement systems and tools to support business performance, portfolio analysis.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent CSIR C³ in national and international forums.
• Engage with policymakers, industry leaders, and the innovation ecosystem to promote CSIR technologies.
• Develop and manage an ecosystem of partners including technology licensees, public and private sector investors.

Innovation Pipeline Management

• Prioritize and manage the pipeline of technologies for commercialization.
• Guide the development and readiness of technologies for market through validation, prototyping, and IP protection.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A minimum qualification of a Masters in Science or Engineering or a Bachelor of Commerce degree with majors in accounting or business management.
• A Masters in Business Administration or Masters in Business Leadership will be an advantage.

At least ten - fifteen years of senior leadership experience, ideally in:

• Technology commercialization
• Innovation-driven enterprises
• Research and development (R&D)
• Venture creation or startup ecosystems

Governance and Directorship Credentials:

• At least three years of directorship or senior management experience in the past five years.
• Understanding of the SA IP legislative frameworks and regime
• Knowledge of and experience with the PFMA, Companies Act and NT regulations
• The Managing Director must be a fit and proper person to fulfil the role of director.
• Proven track record in business development, IP management, and strategic partnerships.
• Deep understanding of South Africa’s innovation ecosystem and public-private collaboration.
• Strategic thinking and execution
• Stakeholder engagement and influence
• Financial and operational acumen
• Techno Economic assessment
• Deal structuring
• Negotiation skills
• People management
• Organised execution
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).