Vice President Commercialisation – Defence and Security

About the role

Ploughshare converts technology research crafted by government organisations into applications that benefit both humanity and our economy. We review a wide variety of technologies from the fields in which our clients operate, and we need to predict and respond in those fast-moving markets with speed and agility. We’re an established, small, close-knit team with big ambitions and are now looking for a Vice President for Commercialisation to lead our Defence and Security business unit – covering everything from laser, photonics and radiation to passive radar decoys, fragmentation pattern control, virtual reality technologies and drone entanglement, to utilising miniaturised 2G-5G antenna solutions for applications from body worn communications to autonomous vehicles. We’re on an exciting journey to expand our reach across government, can you help drive us there?

Spin-outs and licences established by Ploughshare range from new medical and diagnostic products like our pre-symptomatic sepsis diagnostic tool, to world-leading communications and surveillance technologies, to groundbreaking new materials set to redefine the world of forensic science and aid police in catching criminals. We need you to cultivate and nurture relationships with our partners and to develop, implement, and lead a range of initiatives that build commercialisation opportunities for technology arising across government.

With innovation at the heart of everything we do, we recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion to achieve innovation excellence. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which every employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

We want you to feel empowered to bring your passion for collaborating with many of Britain’s best technologists and futurists, along with your extensive knowledge and skills, to help turn their discoveries into commercial success stories.

Have you got the ambition, commercial aptitude, and creative flair to both develop effective relationships across the spectrum of industry, academia government departments and not-for profit sector and be a conduit between the UK scientific community and the exciting entrepreneurial sphere?

Responsibilities:

1. Build success for Ploughshare by enabling fast-paced technology transfer to harness market impact.
2. Develop and execute the Defence & Security strategy to discover relevant IP to commercialise into industry to drive business growth and contribute to the UK Government impact agenda.
3. Lead the Defence & Security Business Unit including:
   • Line management of direct commercialisation reports.
   • Supporting commercialisation of Defence & Security assets to achieve overarching strategic objectives.
4. Develop and maintain strategic stakeholder relationships to build the effective delivery of Ploughshare’s services to market.
5. Maintain and expand extensive networks both in MOD and international defence ecosystems, wider government and with industry, entrepreneurs, and potential investors to help grow our business and brand.
6. Lead license deals or create spin-out companies, as deemed most suitable for each technology, to deliver maximum impact and financial returns.
7. Help licensees and spinouts scale to maximise impact through ongoing post deal management and support.
8. Be an active member of the SLT, contributing to the 3-year business strategy and the annual operating plan.

Person specification

We are seeking a commercial leader with an innovative and entrepreneurial mind-set and proven approach to problem solving. This post requires a relevant degree /MBA and a commercial track record across an array of cutting-edge technologies within the defence, security or policing sectors.

An understanding of Intellectual Property Rights and the UK patent process is highly desirable.

To succeed you will need to work effectively at all levels and build positive relationships with MOD, international defence ecosystems, commercial partners, wider government, scientists and managers. Being able to link all these require high levels of verbal, written and interpersonal skills.

Location

We work from home. However, there is regular travel within the UK (including Wiltshire, Hampshire and London) with occasional international trips.

Clearance

You will need to gain security clearance at SC level as a minimum.

Diversity and inclusion

Ploughshare recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion, as people from a diverse set of backgrounds bring fresh and innovative ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

Employee benefits

In return for playing your part in commercialising the UK’s outstanding inventions, we offer extensive benefits; it’s not just your working environment that we’ve thought about, your home life is important too. We’ll provide a great range of benefits including competitive salary, a generous bonus scheme, private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection insurance, a salary-sacrifice EV car scheme, the opportunity to buy extra holiday plus up to 3 days each year for you to volunteer in your local community.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for this role, please contact recruiter Stephen Womersley at the below:

Email: stephen.womersley@veredus.co.uk

Mobile: 07808 015674

Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevewomersley/