Director of Business Development and CommercialisationUniversity

Closing date: Friday 2nd October 2026 by 5:00pm

Lead our next phase of commercial growth and external engagement.

Liverpool Hope University is an ambitious, distinctive and values-led institution with a strong commitment to making a positive difference to our students, our city and the wider society.

We are now seeking an exceptional Director of Business Development and Commercialisation to lead our approach to business engagement, commercialisation and income generation.

Reporting to the PVC External Affairs & Academic Registrar, this is a senior strategic role with the opportunity to shape and lead a developing area of activity across the University. You will bring together our academic expertise, research, facilities and institutional relationships to create new opportunities for partnership, innovation and sustainable income generation.

About the role

You will develop and lead Liverpool Hope’s commercial strategy, identifying opportunities that support the University’s academic, financial and institutional priorities.

You will build strong and productive relationships with businesses, public-sector organisations, sports and cultural organisations, charities, professional bodies and other partners across Liverpool City Region, nationally and internationally. You will turn these relationships into practical opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange and income generation.

About you

We are looking for a commercially astute and highly credible senior professional who can combine strategic thinking with the ability to make things happen.

You will have a proven track record of developing business opportunities and creating sustainable income streams, ideally within higher education or a similarly complex organisation.

You will bring:

Significant experience of business development, commercialisation and income generation

Strong commercial acumen and financial awareness

Experience of developing and sustaining strategic external partnerships

The ability to identify market opportunities and translate them into compelling propositions

Excellent influencing, negotiation and relationship-management skills

Experience of working effectively with senior leaders and a wide range of internal and external stakeholders

Strong leadership and project management skills

Political awareness and an understanding of the higher education and public-sector environment

The ability to understand client and employer needs and develop solutions that meet them

Knowledge of UK policy-making, local government, higher education, research and the role of universities in society would be highly valuable.

An opportunity to make a difference

This is an exciting opportunity for an entrepreneurial leader who wants to have a visible impact.

You will have the opportunity to develop a high-performing business engagement and commercialisation function, create new sources of income, strengthen Liverpool Hope’s external profile and help connect the University’s expertise with the needs of employers, organisations and communities.

You will work across the University, alongside senior academic and professional services colleagues, while developing a strong external leadership profile through business networks, sector bodies, policy organisations and other strategic partners.

If you are someone who sees opportunity where others see complexity, enjoys building relationships and has the commercial drive to turn ideas into sustainable activity, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For an information discussion about the role, please contact Liam Owens, Pro Vice-Chancellor (External Affairs) on [email protected]

This post is permanent subject to a 12-month probationary period.

For an application form and further details, please visit our website or contact us using the details below.

Liverpool Hope University

Personnel

Hope Park,

Liverpool L16 9JD

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.hope.ac.uk/aboutus/jobopportunities/currentvacancies

Competitive