University of Lincoln
Business Development Manager (EL1265)
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The University of Lincoln Business Development Professional
The University of Lincoln is seeking an experienced business development professional to build relationships with researchers, uncover promising opportunities, and connect them with potential customers, partners, and licensees.
We are also open to applicants who are earlier in their business development career but can demonstrate strong transferable skills and the potential to grow into the full scope of the role. For the right candidate, we may consider offering the post as a supported development opportunity, with appropriate training, mentoring, and a structured development plan.
This is not an intellectual property or technology transfer role. We are looking for someone who can understand complex propositions, identify potential markets, and start productive conversations with external organizations.
You do not need previous experience of working in a university. You may currently work in technology, software, engineering, science, healthcare, professional services, innovation, or another knowledge-led sector.
Contract and Working Arrangements
The role will involve travel to meet prospective customers, licensees, and partners and to attend relevant industry events. The salary is dependent on candidate experience.
You Will Do
- Build trusted relationships with researchers and technical specialists across the University;
- Identify ideas, technologies, and research outputs with potential commercial application;
- Help turn complex or early-stage ideas into clear commercial propositions;
- Research markets, customer needs, competitors, and potential applications;
- Identify and approach prospective customers, licensees, and commercial partners;
- Lead exploratory business development discussions and test market interest;
- Gather external feedback to help shape and position opportunities; and
- Work closely with colleagues in intellectual property, contracts, and commercialization.
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Some opportunities may already be well developed. Others may begin as a prototype, piece of software, specialist method, dataset, or early-stage idea whose potential application has not yet been fully explored.
You Will Bring
- Experience of identifying and developing new commercial opportunities;
- Confidence approaching prospective customers, partners, and decision-makers;
- Strong relationship-building, listening, and influencing skills;
- The ability to understand complex ideas and communicate their value clearly;
- Experience of researching markets and customer needs;
- Sound commercial judgement and an opportunity-focused approach;
- The ability to manage several developing opportunities at different stages; and
- The ability to work collaboratively with technical, legal, and specialist colleagues.
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Experience of universities, research commercialisation, intellectual property, or licensing would be useful but is not essential. We are primarily interested in the strength of your business development experience and your ability to apply it within a research and innovation environment.
What You Will Gain From The Role
This role offers unusually broad exposure for a business development professional.
- Exposure to different industries, technologies, and commercial models;
- Experience of working with researchers and technical experts;
- Involvement in opportunities from early identification through to external market engagement;
- Experience of identifying customers, licensees, and development partners;
- Insight into intellectual property, licensing, and research commercialisation;
- Opportunities to build networks across business, research, and innovation; and
- The chance to make a visible contribution to the University’s commercialisation activity.
This is a strong opportunity for someone who wants to broaden their business development experience and build a distinctive profile at the intersection of industry, innovation, and research.
Closing Date
06 Sep 2026
Department
Administrative and Professional Services
Salary
Per annum
Please note, this post is fixed-term for 2 years and full-time at 37 hours per week.
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