Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Strathmore University is a Chartered University located in Nairobi, Kenya. It was the first multiracial and multi religious educational institution in English speaking Eastern Africa and more recently the first institute of higher learning to be ISO certified in East and Central Africa in 2004. Our mission is to provide all-round quality education in an atmo...

Basic job summary:

The Commercialization Manager will lead the development and execution of SRCC’s commercialization agenda by identifying, evaluating, and scaling innovations into commercially viable products and services. The role is responsible for driving innovation commercialization processes, strengthening partnerships with industry and investors, supporting intellectual property management, and building sustainable commercialization pathways that generate impact and revenue for SRCC and Strathmore University.

The position requires a professional with strong experience in innovation management, business development, commercialization strategy, stakeholder engagement, and project management. The Commercialization Manager will work closely with researchers, industry partners, investors, and internal teams to translate research and innovation into market-ready solutions.

Responsibilities or duties:

Business development and stakeholder managementInnovation management and project coordinationIntellectual property and commercialization strategyMonitoring, evaluation, and reportingCapacity building and leadership

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills):

Minimum Academic Qualifications: Master’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, Economics, Project Management, Innovation Management, or a related field

Experience needed:

Minimum six (6) years of relevant experience in commercialization, innovation management, consulting, business development, or related areas. Demonstrated experience in commercialization of research, innovation management, or technology transfer. Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and project management. Experience in the management of donor-funded projects, grants management, and acquisitions is an added advantage. Proven track record in proposal development, innovation scaling, and revenue generation initiatives. Strong understanding of intellectual property management and commercialization frameworks.

Competencies and Skills:

Strong commercialization and innovation management capability. Excellent stakeholder engagement and partnership management skills. Strong business development and strategic thinking ability. Solid understanding of intellectual property, licensing, and commercialization processes. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills. Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills. Ability to translate research and innovation into commercially viable opportunities. Strong reporting, monitoring, and performance management capability.

Additional Requirement:

Willingness to travel for stakeholder engagements, commercialization activities, and partnership development. Ability to work flexible schedules where necessary to support project and partnership requirements.

• Business development and stakeholder management
• Innovation management and project coordination
• Intellectual property and commercialization strategy
• Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting
• Capacity building and leadership

• Strong commercialization and innovation management capability
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and partnership management skills
• Strong business development and strategic thinking ability
• Solid understanding of intellectual property, licensing, and commercialization processes
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Ability to translate research and innovation into commercially viable opportunities
• Strong reporting, monitoring, and performance management capability

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, Economics, Project Management, Innovation Management, or a related field
• Minimum six (6) years of relevant experience in commercialization, innovation management, consulting, business development, or related areas
• Demonstrated experience in commercialization of research, innovation management, or technology transfer
• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and project management
• Experience in the management of donor-funded projects, grants management, and acquisitions is an added advantage
• Proven track record in proposal development, innovation scaling, and revenue generation initiatives
• Strong understanding of intellectual property management and commercialization frameworks