Job description

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

The Senior Commercialisation Leader is responsible for:

Leadership

• Advise researchers and Mintek staff on IP-related matters.
• Undertake due diligence (Technical, Market and Financial) of the IP portfolio
• Provide leadership in market research and identification of potential commercialisation partners.
• Identify suitable commercialisation routes for Mintek IP and technology.
• Lead commercialisation efforts for strategic Mintek programmes

Strategy

• Provide strategic inputs in the drafting of the annual MOTT business plan
• Identify strategic technologies for the minerals industry.
• Manage a portfolio of products, services and technologies
• Participate in the drafting and implementation of Mintek’s commercialisation framework.
• Align funding opportunities with strategic priorities.
• Recommend areas of future Research and Innovation within the minerals sector
• Work with business development staff to identify market gaps and increase Mintek’s business footprint.

Financial sustainability

• Recommend appropriate further technology development activities to de-risk technologies, undertake market research and other commercially-oriented activities related to driving innovation.
• Provide input into budgeting exercises for the Mintek IP portfolio.
• Assist the Head in preparing financial reports for NIPMO and Mintek Exco.
• Set up clear Commercialisation revenue targets.
• Identify funding sources for seed funding and commercialisation activities.
• Provide inputs into the investment decisions of RDI programmes.
• Support venture creation and nurture commercialisation opportunities until financial independence.

Commercialisation

• Prepare draft term sheets for commercialisation deals.
• Work with Mintek innovators and other stakeholders to develop funding proposals for development and commercialisation of innovations
• Develop business plans and financial models, draft shareholder agreements and/or investment agreements etc. for spinout companies. 
• Engage a broad range of stakeholders, including investors, commercial partners, external entrepreneurs, incubators etc. to identify commercialisation opportunities.

People and planning

• Organise presentations and other engagement sessions on IP and commercialisation matters
• Provide IP training to Mintek staff
• Ensure stakeholder liaison and engagement across all divisions
• Provide advocacy and awareness of Mintek’s IP and technologies externally
• Assess due diligence reports from junior staff members and provide recommendations
• Match skills, experience, capacity, and resources to opportunities

Compliance management

• Draft, negotiate, and review IP licenses and agreements
• Become an integral member of Mintek’s IP steering committee
• Manage compliance and regulatory aspects of Mintek’s IP portfolio
• Risk profiling and mitigation activities for commercialisation projects
• Adhere to all Mintek’s policies and ethics

Relationship management and reporting

• Stakeholder engagement, including the development of relationships with new stakeholders, stakeholder management and satisfaction for both internal and external stakeholders
• Assist in maintaining responsive and supportive communication with all constituents
• Report, or provide information on all commercialisation activities
• Lead co-development and co-funding initiatives
• Prepare commercialisation reports to Exco and/or Members of the Board

Minimum requirements

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Masters degree in science / engineering
• Business qualification (MBA qualification would be an advantage)
• Ideal: Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP)
• Ideal: Knowledge of IP law