Innovation Manager

at  The James Hutton Institute

James Hutton Ltd, the commercial subsidiary of the James Hutton Institute, is looking to recruit an experienced Innovation Manager to play an integral role in delivering the ambitious growth targets for the company. Agriculture and the environment have often been the poor relations when it comes to investing in innovation, however recent events have highlighted the global importance of food security and environmental sustainability, opening up numerous new commercial opportunities.
JHI is at the forefront of developing innovative solutions and products to serve these emerging markets, through spin-out and spin-in companies as well as licensing technologies. The ideal candidate will have experience of mentoring start-up companies, licensing technologies and have a flexible approach to commercialising academic approach. The anticipated step change in activity necessitates the need to introduce portfolio management to our business so that we prioritise our resources and to aid decision making. Experience of implementing portfolio management, either in an academic or commercial setting, would be highly advantageous. A knowledge of the agrifood / environmental or related sectors would be desirable.

EXPERIENCE:

Relevant related experience commercializing academic research or new product development in a commercial environment
Ideally in the agrifood, environmental or analytical services sectors
Experience of portfolio management in a research and development environment
Experience of developing and implementing new portfolio management processes
Experience of mentoring start-up companies
Experience of filing patent applications
Knowledge of intellectual property and working with patent agents
Undertaken market research to support cases for investment
Experience of writing business cases to support investments
Experience of regulatory affairs and accreditation

SKILLS:

Excellent communicator at all levels both written and verbal.
Experience of presenting to boards of directors.
Well organised and able to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
Project management skills
Energetic, enthusiastic self-starter with proven ability to deliver.
Ability to network and strong influencer
International networks would be desirable
Other skills (please specify)
Ability to work as part of a team
Second language would be useful
Other requirements (please specify)
Driving license useful but not essential
Willingness to travel, including international

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB:

The Innovation Manager will be responsible for the New Business Discovery part of the JHL business and for developing and delivering portfolio management practices within JHL.
JHL currently has one spin-out company (MycoNourish), one Joint Venture (Bloom Biotechnologies) and has made investments in two additional companies (EpiGenetica and IGS). In addition, we have two new spin-out companies under discussion (SHARP GA and ClimateXtras) and have ambitious plans to develop at least two more in the fields of nanoparticles and artificial meat. JHL has limited resources to invest in these activities and we need to develop and implement robust systems to aid decision making. The Innovation Manager will work with JHI scientists and the newly-appointed Entrepreneur in Residence to assess new opportunities as they arise, convene and record meetings to make decisions, undertake preliminary freedom to operate searches and market research and solicit professional advice where appropriate.
The postholder will also be responsible for developing, in conjunction with key JHI and JHL staff, business cases for investment in new equipment and facilities to support existing businesses, primarily plant breeding, trialing and analytical services.
JHL has a modest patent portfolio that has the potential to generate licence income in the future. The Innovation Manager will meet with JHI scientists with intellectual property under consideration for protection, ensure Invention Disclosure Forms are completed and recorded, liaise with scientist and patent agents and assess the merits for investment in such intellectual property. It is anticipated that the postholder will sit on the Hutton IP Committee and will liaise with the Licensing Manager with respect to on-going patent applications and granted patents. Together with the JHL Commercial Team (5 BDMs and a Marketing Manager), the Innovation Manager will be responsible for identifying third parties interested in licensing our technologies.
The postholder will sit on the JHL Senior Management Group and will contribute to improvement and advancement of the business within James Hutton Limited.

MAIN DUTIES OF POSTHOLDER:

Develop and implement portfolio management processes appropriate to the business of JHL, including investments in new equipment and facilities to support existing businesses, investment in spin-in or spin—out companies, and protecting intellectual property.
Responsible for delivering the portfolio management processes, including convening meetings, development of business cases, recording decisions and reporting to the JHL Board.
Undertaking market research to support the development of business cases or commissioning third party market research where in-house knowledge is insufficient.
Liaison with professional advisors including patent agents.
Manage the interface with the Entrepreneur in Residence and facilitate meetings with interested scientists where appropriate.
Attend JHL Senior Management Group meetings and deputise for the Head of JHL at Income Generation Group and other meetings.
Present business cases for investment to the JHL Board and where necessary the JHI Board or Audit and Finance Committee.