Business Development Specialist

Role Overview

This position is focused on turning research, intellectual property, technologies, and innovation initiatives into real-world commercial outcomes. The successful candidate will build partnerships with industry, government, investors, and research bodies to accelerate technology transfer, create sustainable income opportunities, and move research findings into products, services, startups, and strategic collaborations.

The role acts as a central connection point between researchers, external partners, government stakeholders, investors, and internal teams to increase the social and economic value generated by research and innovation activities.

Strategic Focus

• Create and put into action the organization’s plan for commercialization and business growth.
• Spot opportunities to bring research results, technologies, intellectual property, and innovation projects to market.
• Build strategic relationships with industry, government, military bodies, investors, and research institutions.
• Contribute to the wider innovation ecosystem through cooperation with incubators, accelerators, and venture capital partners.
• Help advance the organization’s goals for research translation and innovation impact.

Business Development

• Find and develop partnership opportunities within the local market and overseas.
• Create commercial engagement approaches for industry partners.
• Develop durable relationships with important strategic stakeholders.
• Lead negotiations for collaboration and commercial agreements.
• Prepare business cases and commercialization roadmaps.
• Identify new sources of revenue.
• Support licensing, spin-outs, startups, consulting work, and contract research opportunities.

Commercialization Activities

• Assess research technologies for their market potential.
• Carry out market studies and competitor reviews.
• Assist with technology valuation and commercialization planning.
• Collaborate closely with researchers to define routes to market.
• Support intellectual property protection and licensing approaches.
• Help organize technology showcases and innovation demonstrations.

Industry Engagement

• Develop partnerships with industry, government, defense organizations, and international stakeholders.
• Represent the organization at conferences, exhibitions, and innovation events.
• Coordinate industry advisory boards.
• Plan and deliver networking and industry engagement activities.

Project and Portfolio Management

• Track commercialization initiatives from early concept through market launch.
• Maintain and update commercialization opportunity pipelines.
• Monitor partner performance and commercialization metrics.
• Prepare reports and dashboards for senior leadership.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Work collaboratively with researchers, faculty, legal, procurement, finance, technology transfer, and innovation teams.
• Engage with external investors, industry partners, startups, and commercialization collaborators.
• Assist with grant-supported collaborative initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience

A bachelor’s degree is required in Business Administration, Engineering, Science, Technology Management, Innovation Management, Entrepreneurship, or a closely related field.

Candidates should have 4 to 6 years of progressively responsible experience in business development, technology commercialization, research commercialization, industry partnerships, innovation management, technology transfer, corporate partnerships, or strategic alliances.

Experience in higher education, research institutes, government, defense, technology companies, or innovation ecosystems is considered an advantage.

Additional Information

This role is based in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates, and is a full-time onsite position.