Head of Business Development - RAL Space

Job Title: Head of Business Development - RAL Space

Salary: £61,227 - £68,029 gross per annum dependent on experience
Hours: Full-time - (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)
Contract Type: Open Ended (Permanent)
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire.

Our Business and Innovation team are looking for their new Head of Business Development for RAL Space to identify leads and opportunities for income generation that support the strategic objectives and importantly to support the UK ambitions in space that is outlined in the recently published National Space Strategy.

RAL Space is the UKs National Space Laboratory advancing the understanding of space and the environment for the benefit of all. Internationally recognised for its space capability, RAL Space have been involved in over 210 missions to date, and this is expected to grow considerably over the next decade. We are continually building and developing new capabilities, including the National Satellite Test Facility, a £105M centre dedicated to environmental testing of whole spacecraft up to 7 tonnes.

As the Head of Business Development for RAL Space you will work with a wide range of customer types, from new entrants and early-stage space start-ups, through to more established SMEs and multinational strategic partners. You will also lead and manage a small team of dedicated business development and marketing professionals to help you deliver your plans and goals.

Responsibilities
Lead and guide the BD team embedded in RAL Space.
Generate and deliver a Strategic Implementation Plan, aligned with the RAL Space strategy and commercial plan.
Take leadership and responsibility for generating and developing opportunities for future revenue from RAL Space industrial partnerships, collaborations, research consultancy, technology exploitation and access to facilities. Our current opportunity pipeline exceeds £100M.
Attending and coordinating relevant networking and exhibiting events to communicate the value of STFC and RAL Space to our communities, in the UK and internationally.
Building new industrial customer relationships with a whole range of companies from start-ups to global businesses.
Work alongside RAL Space Senior Leadership Team to support its strategic, commercial and operational objectives.
Pitching and presenting to high-level visitors and supporting visits and tours to our facilities.
Undertake tasks assigned by the BD Director, deputizing for that post as required.
Person Specification:

An ability to lead by example with highly developed interpersonal and networking skills, commercially minded with a scientific or technical background and the ability to stimulate and nurture collaborations with customers. A self-starter who has the resilience to take things through to conclusion.

Essential:
• Degree in physical sciences or engineering or equivalent experience
• Knowledge and experience of the business development process
• Leading and managing a team
• Generating and implementing strategic plans
• Proven ability to generate leads, develop proposals and close contracts
• Ability to lead and manage a team
• Demonstrable network of industry contacts
• Strong influencing, persuasion and interpersonal skills, including interacting with Scientists and Technologists
• Credibility with Director level audiences
• Ability to negotiate at all levels

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits including a flexible working scheme, a Career Average Revalued Earnings pension scheme, 30 days annual leave allowance, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.