Business Development Executive

Salary Range: £37,694 - £46,049

FTE: 1 (35 hours/week)

Term: Open Contract

Closing Date: 05/07/2026

The University of Strathclyde is a globally renowned technological institution with a strong track record of driving business growth through world-leading research and innovation. At the heart of this mission is the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), a hub for advanced manufacturing that helps businesses of all sizes improve productivity, adopt digital technologies and progress net-zero ambitions.

At NMIS, we work in partnership with industry, academia and the public sector to tackle practical challenges, support innovation and strengthen Scotland’s manufacturing sector. Our teams combine technical expertise, collaboration and real-world problem-solving to deliver measurable impact across a wide range of industries.

We are looking for an exceptional Business Development Executive to play a central role in role in extending our influence and driving forward our mission. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of manufacturing - by forging strategic partnerships, opening new pathways for collaboration, and delivering real, measurable impact across industry.

What You’ll Do

• Build and grow relationships with industry partners, by understanding their technical and commercial needs.

• Align industry challenges with NMIS capabilities and wider research solutions.

• Shape project opportunities by defining clear statements of work and leading competitive bids for funding and commercial contracts.

• Co-develop credible project proposals with NMIS Engineering Teams.

• Facilitate the creation of industry consortia and help drive rapid, high-value project delivery.

• Deliver innovation workshops, provide expert consultancy, and deliver agile, high-impact projects with measurable outcomes.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for an individual who can confidently translate complex technical and commercial challenges into action.

You'll have:

• A degree (or equivalent experience) in engineering or physical sciences.

• A passion for innovation, problem-solving and advancing the manufacturing sector.

• Strong communication and engagement skills to influence and inspire partners.

• The ability to think both strategically and practically to deliver results at pace.

We are particularly interested in candidates with Business Development experience in AI-enabled manufacturing and industrial technologies, in areas such as:

• Advanced manufacturing: including AI/ML for process optimisation, predictive maintenance and real-time quality control.

• Digital manufacturing: developing data-driven solutions such as digital twins and industrial IoT to enhance efficiency, traceability and autonomous decision-making on the factory floor.

• Materials science and metallurgy: applying data analytics and simulation to accelerate materials discovery, optimise performance and predict material behaviour across lifecycle conditions.

• Electronics manufacturing, including semiconductor technologies.

Experience in high-value manufacturing, industrial R&D, or navigating complex supply chains is highly desirable.

Why NMIS?

At NMIS, you’ll join a mission-driven organisation dedicated to transforming industry, developing a future-ready workforce, and driving a more sustainable economy. With world-class facilities, leading experts, and strong partnerships across academia, government, and industry, we offer an unparalleled environment for innovation and growth.

Formal interviews for this post will be held on a date to be confirmed.

Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Steven Halliday, Head of Business Growth (steven.halliday@ strath.ac.uk).

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