The roles
Vice President Commercialisation – D&S
Join Ploughshare as our VP Commercialisation- Defence and Security – Shape Strategy and Make a Lasting Impact
What we’re looking for
We are seeking a visionary and passionate commercial leader with strong experience in the Defence sector, an innovative and entrepreneurial style and a collaborative approach to problem solving. Drawing on your experience, and recent Defence developments including Defence Reform, the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy, you will set a bold vision and growth strategy for our Defence and Security Business Unit and deliver in line with Ploughshare’s overall growth plans.
You should be dynamic, able to operate with a startup mindset implementing new processes and ideas and be part of defining how we work, showing strong leadership and providing support to less experienced colleagues. This post ideally requires a relevant degree /MBA and a commercial track record across an array of cutting-edge technologies within the defence, security or policing sectors. Previous experience running your own business would be an advantage.
An understanding of Intellectual Property Rights and the UK patent process is highly desirable.
Success in this role will require you to work effectively at all levels and build positive relationships with a diverse stakeholder group including MOD, international defence ecosystems, commercial partners, wider government, scientists and managers. Exceptional verbal, written and interpersonal skills are essential.
Responsibilities
- Build success for Ploughshare by enabling fast-paced technology transfer to harness market impact.
- 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.
- Lead the Defence & Security Business Unit including:
- Line management of direct commercialisation reports.
- Supporting commercialisation of Defence & Security assets to achieve overarching strategic objectives.
- Proactive management of our Defence and Security clients in collaboration with our Business Development team.
- Develop and maintain strategic stakeholder relationships to build the effective delivery of Ploughshare’s services to market.
- 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.
- Support business development activities to bring new Defence and Security clients into Ploughshare.
- Lead license deals or create spin-out companies, as deemed most suitable for each technology, to deliver maximum impact and financial returns.
- Help licensees and spinouts scale to maximise impact through ongoing post deal management and support.
- Be an active member of the SLT, contributing to the 3-year business strategy and the annual operating plan.
Location
Ploughshare employees are homebased, but we get together frequently and believe in the importance of face-to-face contact with our clients and colleagues. There is therefore regular travel within the UK (including Wiltshire, Hampshire, Manchester, and London) with occasional international trips – all at the company’s expense when required to travel.
Clearance
Applicants will need to apply for and possess appropriate security clearance as part of their employment. Accordingly, we are unable to accept candidates who do not meet the following criteria:
- Be sole UK nationals.
- Hold a British passport.
- Have resided in the UK for a minimum of five years.
Employee Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days
- 12.5% employer pension contribution, with no employee contribution required
- Group Life Assurance & Group income Protection
- Private Medical Insurance
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Up to 3 additional volunteer days each year
- Up to 20% bonus scheme
Diversity and Inclusion statement
Ploughshare recognises that people from a wide range of backgrounds bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and valuable experiences. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
(Senior) Commercialisation Manager
Full Time / 37.5 hours per week
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for Commercialisation Managers with the commercial acumen, creative flair, and start-up mindset to drive growth for Ploughshare. This is your opportunity to deliver tangible benefits for society, and accelerate your own development as a leader.
You’ll bring an innovative, entrepreneurial approach, with the ability to implement new ideas and processes, and ideally hold a relevant degree with a track record in commercialising cutting-edge technologies through both licensing and spin-out routes. Knowledge of Intellectual Property Rights and the patent process is highly desirable.
In this role, you’ll transform cutting-edge innovations into licences, spinouts, and scalable ventures, creating new revenue streams and measurable impact for the UK, working effectively at all levels and building strong relationships across the MOD and defence private sector.
Responsibilities:
- Build success for Ploughshare by delivering fast-paced technology transfer to harness market impact.
- Execute our strategy to discover relevant IP to commercialise into industry to drive business growth and contribute to the UK Government impact agenda.
- Commercialisation activities, including:
- Assisting with the identification and management of technology portfolios from our IP source organisations
- Participating in commercialisation management reviews of opportunities, during which collaborative decisions will be taken as to whether to commercialise each opportunity.
- Developing potential application areas for our technology.
- Undertaking market research to establish addressable market sizes by geography, sector, problem and opportunity areas, by desk-based research and interactions with key industrial contacts.
- Crafting and document Value Propositions, Licencing Strategies, Spin-out business plans and necessary collateral to accelerate delivery of impact
- Assisting with brokering licencing deals or spin out opportunities and participate in the formation of spin-outs and the post deal management of licences.
- Helping licensees and spinouts scale to maximise impact through ongoing post deal management and support.
- Maintain and expand extensive networks both in MOD and international defence and non-defence ecosystems, wider government and with industry, entrepreneurs, and potential investors to help grow our business and brand.
- Support business development activities to bring new clients into Ploughshare.
In addition to the Commercialisation Manager responsibilities, Senior Commercialisation Managers will demonstrate leadership, self-management and mentoring, including the following:
- Play a leading role in the identification and management of technology portfolios from our IP source organisations
- Broker licencing deals or spin out opportunities (with guidance from VPs or Commercial Director)
- Lead in the formation of spinouts and the post deal management of licences.
- Start the people management journey by mentoring junior members of the team and learning how to give constructive feedback, including line management responsibility where appropriate.
- Develop and maintain strategic stakeholder relationships to build the effective delivery of Ploughshare’s services to market.
Location
Ploughshare employees are homebased, but we get together frequently and believe in the importance of face-to-face contact with our clients and colleagues. There is therefore regular travel within the UK (including Wiltshire, Hampshire, Manchester, and London) with occasional international trips – all at the company’s expense when required to travel.
Clearance
Applicants will need to apply for and possess appropriate security clearance as part of their employment. Accordingly, we are unable to accept candidates who do not meet the following criteria:
- Be sole UK nationals.
- Hold a British passport.
- Have resided in the UK for a minimum of five years.
Employee Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days
- 12.5% employer pension contribution, with no employee contribution required
- Group Life Assurance & Group income Protection
- Private Medical Insurance
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Up to 3 additional volunteer days each year
- Up to 20% bonus scheme
Diversity and Inclusion statement
Ploughshare recognises that people from a wide range of backgrounds bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and valuable experiences. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.