Innovation Unit Business Manager

About Us
We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website.  

Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things.

We employ 900 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world.

This is an exciting time to join the Museum as we have secured investment from the UK Government to build a new science and digitisation centre at Thames Valley Science Park, University of Reading.  The purpose-built centre will house much of the Museum's collection and will include laboratories, digitisation suites, collaborative research spaces, conservation labs and workspaces

Diversity and inclusion matter to us.

Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment.

We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.

Job Summary

The Natural History Museum is accelerating the impact of our science to bend the curve of biodiversity loss and create a future where people and the planet can thrive. The heart of our Vision and Strategy to 2031 creates solutions from, and for, nature. We can generate more impactful solutions if we establish ways to turn our scientific knowledge into scaled products, services and data to produce real-world societal, environmental, and economic value.

The newly formed Innovation Unit at NHM aims to create a pipeline of science-based opportunities, taking ideas from proof-of-concept to market ready products and services.  This will build on our existing science commercialization portfolio of consultancy, research contracts, and technical services by finding new and exciting ways to exploit our Intellectual Property (IP) assets and inhouse capabilities, for example via product development, data licensing or new venture creation.

The Innovation Unit Coordinator is an exciting and multifaceted role, which spans general financial administration, team coordination, frontline customer service, and business development. The role is critical in supporting the delivery of our portfolio of commercial contracts, helping the team pursue new opportunities, and ensuring the smooth running of the business.  

We seek a proficient administrator capable of orchestrating diverse activities and fostering strong relationships across our extensive network of internal and external stakeholders.

Ideal for a dynamic self-starter with a ‘can do’ attitude who thrives in a fast-paced environment, the role offers real variety and scope for development. Expect on-the-job learning opportunities, supplemented by training, relating to project scoping, contractual negotiation and science intellectual property and innovation. Whilst you don’t need a science background, an essential requirement is a passion for leveraging science's potential to address society's significant challenges.Main Responsibilities

·       Financial administration: Conduct financial reporting for the Innovation Unit at a project and business level, providing accurate and transparent financial insights across the entire spectrum of the team’s operations. Processing invoices, purchase orders, and expenses for all live projects as well as routine reporting for the overall business performance.

·       Project delivery tracking: Monitor project expenditure, delivery timelines, payment milestones, and resource allocation to ensure contractual obligations are delivered on time and within budget for all live projects. Maintain all required supporting documentation.

·       Project scoping support: Collaborate with the Innovation Unit Business Manager and project teams to craft compelling pitch presentations and format bespoke tender documentation to ensure the submission of high-quality commercial funding proposals.

·       Team coordination: Support the Innovation Unit Programme Manager in efficiently organising and coordinating Innovation Unit activities, ensuring optimal workflow. Streamline administrative processes, including scheduling meetings, managing documentation, and handling team-related logistics. Implement and maintain effective communication channels within the team, ensuring everyone is well-informed and engaged.

·       Logistical support: Efficiently organise staff travel arrangements, handle minute-taking, triage incoming enquiries for the team, manage shared mailboxes, and contribute to general administrative duties as required.

• Business optimisation: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including legal, finance, research administration, and compliance, to ensure alignment, mitigate risk, and drive efficiency.

 Person Specification

Essential

·       Relevant experience/qualifications from any of the following: science, technology transfer, project management, financial administration.

·       You’re a highly capable administrator, who’s worked in dynamic teams and fast paced environments.

·       You need strong numeracy skills, and you know how to make spreadsheets do the heavy lifting.

·       You’re an engaging 'people person' who can skilfully build positive relationships with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. You’re able to coordinate teams and communicate openly with a dynamic style.

·       You love to find solutions where there are problems and resolution where this is conflict.

·       You have an excellent eye for detail.

·       Business acumen and commercial awareness are natural assets of yours.

·       You are adaptable and have a determination to get things done.

·       You have a strong desire for learning and developing.

·       You have a passion for science and creating positive impact.

Desirable

·       Experience or baseline knowledge of science commercialisation would be advantageous.

·       Previous involvement in managing contract performance and drafting client proposals is preferable.

·       Preparation of high value or complex budgets would be highly desirable.

Career Development Opportunities 

Depending on the successful applicant’s performance, aspirations and the needs of the business, various development areas may present themselves, for example:

·       Project management and scoping, constructing high value budgets and contractual negotiation.

·       Understanding of Intellectual Property Rights (IP) and how to identify, protect, and exploit IP. 

·       Direct involvement with science innovation, productisation and commercialisation.