Research Licensing & Commercialisation Principal

Why this role matters

We want to improve people’s lives for the better and enable BT to deliver world class services and networks. Creating new products and services and developing new underpinning technologies is central to helping BT connect for good.

This role plays a key strategic and operation function in realising value from technology and intellectual property arising from BT’s research activities and elsewhere across BT’s business, with a particular focus on the generation of revenue, reduction of cost or other strategic value for BT Group.

This role can be based in Bristol or London.

Our Hybrid working model means you are required to be in the office 3 days per week.

You'll have the following responsibilities

•    Contribute to the development and execution of an agreed research commercialisation strategy: working at pace with the Senior Manager, Research Commercialisation, to define an effective evidence-based and value-focused research commercialisation strategy covering commercialisation and business development approach, governance, performance and effectiveness management, working with stakeholder input and agreement (including RaNS leadership team, BT Networks leadership team, Lines of Business (LoBs)/Customer Facing Units (CFUs) and legal counsel).
•    Commercialising BT’s research outputs and IP to generate value for BT Group, including revenue growth, through agreed commercialisation programmes including:
o    The performance of ecosystem and opportunity analysis, including proposing and articulating commercialisation options and securing the support of internal BT stakeholders, including at the very highest levels in the business, for a research commercialisation approach; 
o    Opportunity Identification and Business Development activities: proactive identification and evaluation of opportunities for external commercialisation of research output and IP including, inter alia, licensing, spinout, venture building, incubation, sale and litigation. 
o    Target, Partner and Spinout analysis activities: identification of prospective targets, partners and spinout opportunities in strategic jurisdictions to generate value from selected research outputs and IP. 
o    Patent Review activities: the study of technical patent documentation to identify potential relevance to third party products and services, the review of patent search reports and performance of validity appraisals. 
o    Defensive Analysis activities: undertaking defensive analyses to assess retaliatory, competitive, commercial and reputational risks associated with assertion/ commercialisation initiatives.
•    Commercial negotiation: obtain a deep understanding of BT and external stakeholder interests to effectively negotiate commercial terms to achieve a most beneficial outcome for BT with a keen focus on revenue generation.
•    Litigation support: working closely with the Senior Manager Research Commercialisation, Group counsel and BT LoBs, contribute to the development of outbound litigation strategy and support outbound litigation actions internally and with outside counsels.
•    Reporting and Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation and provide regular reports on the status, progress, and outcomes of all commercialisation activities, including financial forecasting and performance.
 

You'll have the following skills and experience

Skills

•    A graduate in STEM, Business Administration, International Relations, Law, Economics or a related field, preferably with postgraduate qualification.
•    Experience in technical, engineering, technical project management, development, deployment or similar roles of relevance to BT Group products, services and technologies.
•    Excellent collaboration and communication skills to work internally with stakeholders across all BT Group lines of business and at all levels within the business
•    Relationship skills to build value-driven and purposeful relationships with individuals and organisations external to BT Group to drive commercial value.
•    An ability to understand the work of BT’s research, development, engineering and technical teams, as well as the commercial priorities and objectives of BT’s lines of business and customer facing units.
•    Ability to think strategically and develop innovative commercialisation strategies.
•    Strong analytical skills with a capability to analyse complex technical information including research papers and patents.
•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex concepts to a variety of audiences.
•    An ability to conduct landscaping, ecosystem analysis and market research to identify opportunities and threats.
•    An understanding of commercial considerations involved in commercial negotiations, and an aptitude for negotiation, marketing, sales and/or relationship development.
•    An ability to understand terms of legal agreements, with guidance from legal counsel, and their implications.
•    Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to anticipate issues and find effective solutions.

Experience

Essential
•    Bachelor’s degree in STEM, Business Administration, International Relations, Law, Economics or a related field,
•    At least 5 years’ experience of technical subject matter as a scientist, engineer, technical lawyer, technology strategist or technical business manager.
•    Familiarity with telecoms, hi-tech, networking or IT industry and technological trends.
•    Experience in coordinating cross-functional teams.
Preferred
•    A track record of developing and/or executing a commercialisation, licensing, technology transfer, venture building or technology/IP exploitation strategy.
•    Experience in international business or law.
•    Professional certifications related to project management, IP management, venturing, commercialisation, IP legal practice or similar.
The BT way

Benefits

•    Competitive salary
•    15% on target bonus
•    Company car or £5,500 cash alternative
•    Private healthcare for self and family
•    BT Pension scheme, minimum 5% Employee contribution, BT contribution 10%
•    25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays), increasing with service
•    Huge range of flexible benefits including cycle to work, healthcare, season ticket loan
•    World-class training and development opportunities
•    Option to join BT Shares Saving schemes.
•    Discounted broadband, mobile and TV packages
•    Access to 100’s of retail discounts including the BT shop

Our leadership standards

Looking in:
Leading inclusively and Safely
I inspire and build trust through self-awareness, honesty and integrity.
Owning outcomes
I take the right decisions that benefit the broader organisation.

Looking out:
Delivering for the customer
I execute brilliantly on clear priorities that add value to our customers and the wider business.
Commercially savvy
I demonstrate strong commercial focus, bringing an external perspective to decision-making.

Looking to the future:
Growth mindset
I experiment and identify opportunities for growth for both myself and the organisation.
Building for the future
I build diverse future-ready teams where all individuals can be at their best.