JOB DESCRIPTION

Purpose

The essential role of the Director is to grow this already well established business into a separate trading subsidiary of the University Group. The appointee will be a Board member of CUE Ltd.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Take over and grow the operation from its current base, building on existing strengths and quality of services offered so that revenue streams are significantly enhanced.
2. Increase the focus on the private sector and consultancy services/products.



3. Prepare and then establish the operation as a separate trading subsidiary.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Director provides professional leadership for the activities of the Division and is accountable for its results against the agreed business plan, targets and budgets to the Board of CUE Ltd. Line management will be provided by the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Business Development.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

This is an exciting new role requiring a leader who enjoys innovation and the challenge of developing an operation in an emergent context. He/she will need to understand and shape both the external policy environment and the internal, University environment so that the Division anticipates opportunities for growth, and develops processes that allows it to operate in a ‘smart’ and efficient way alongside the more traditional research provision of the University.

The appointee will be expected to have substantial, relevant experience of the private sector but could have a private or public sector background. A deep understanding of the needs of both sectors in relation to organisational success, innovation and productivity will be required.

He/she must command credibility and respect at the highest levels in client companies, excel at client management, and be able to develop long-term, multi-touch collaborations for example by working with other senior staff in the University to achieve synergies between the applied research, knowledge transfer and training agendas for clients.

The ability to pitch for new business, negotiate and close deals will clearly be important in achieving the growth of the Division and taking it forward into a separate company. The appointee must therefore be able to contribute appropriately to securing new contracts.

As the leader of a team of experienced professionals, the appointee will exhibit good communication and mentoring skills, develop a supportive, creative and enterprising culture where the staff can develop their capabilities and experiences, and are encouraged to seek and secure opportunities to develop the business actively themselves. The use of advanced communication technologies to support the work of the team as well as regular face-to-face meetings and team building events will be required. High standards of delivery to clients will be essential, and the Director will need to set and monitor the achievement of appropriate standards across the Division’s activities.

Evidence of successful budget setting/monitoring, and strong financial management, will be required.

A more detailed list of required attributes follows.