Co-Director Enterprise (Commercialisation)

Co-Director of Enterprise (Commercialisation)
Imperial College London

Founded in 1907, Imperial College London is one of the world’s great universities, renowned for ground-breaking research, a highly talented community, and a truly international reach. Our mission is to achieve enduring excellence in research and education in science, engineering, medicine, and business, for the benefit of society.

Our new institutional strategy, Science for Humanity, is ambitious and seeks to maximise Imperial’s potential as a force for good in the world. Through landmark initiatives such as the Imperial Class of 2030, the White City Deep Tech Campus, and our Schools of Convergence Science, we are creating an environment that drives innovation, investment, and impact at scale.

People are at the core of our success. Guided by our values: Respect, Collaboration, Excellence, Innovation, and Integrity, we are building a community where everyone can fulfil their potential and contribute to our shared mission.

Imperial now seeks an outstanding and visionary leader to join its Enterprise Division as Co-Director, Enterprise (Commercialisation). This pivotal role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape how one of the world’s leading universities transforms cutting-edge research into real-world impact.

Reporting to the Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise), you will work in close partnership with the Co-Director of Enterprise (Corporate Partnerships) and the Research and Enterprise Operating Officer to deliver a cohesive and ambitious strategy for the Enterprise Division. You will lead Imperial’s Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship functions, ensuring that the university’s world-class research translates into societal and economic benefit. The team’s work was recognised at the 2025 Times Higher Awards, where they scooped the Outstanding Entrepreneurial University of the Year.

The Co-Director will have overall responsibility for the identification, protection, and commercial exploitation of intellectual property, alongside the creation and growth of spinout companies. You will foster strong relationships with investors, corporate partners, and innovation networks, driving the commercial success of Imperial’s technologies and deepening our engagement with the wider innovation ecosystem.

As a senior leader, you will oversee the Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship teams, ensuring that service delivery, governance, and strategic initiatives meet the highest standards. You will also develop and deliver a five-year strategy for commercialisation and entrepreneurship, setting ambitious targets and championing a culture of excellence, inclusion, and innovation.

The ideal candidate will bring substantial commercial and operational leadership experience, ideally gained in a large, technology-led organisation or complex research environment. You will demonstrate exceptional commercial acumen, strong relationship management and influencing skills, and experience in leading teams, budgets, and strategic change in a matrixed setting. A deep understanding of the academic research and innovation landscape is essential.

Imperial College London is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and we warmly encourage applications from all sections of the community.

How to Apply & Further Information

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to Imperial and further details are available here: Imperial College London – Co-Director of Enterprise (Commercialisation) | AQ

Should you wish to discuss further details about the role in strict confidence, please contact: Elyse Turner-Pearce at elyse.turner-pearce@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7808 648 559 or Kiersten Avery on kiersten.avery@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7510 384 735

The closing date for applications is noon on Monday 15th December.

We are committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender reassignment, sex, or sexual orientation. We are an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Disability Confident Leader and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.