Business Development Executive; Industry Account Lead

Salary range: £38,448 - £46,970 per annum

FTE: 1

Term: Open-ended

Closing Date: 22 November 2026

Help industry strengthen and scale, through helping them innovate and turn ideas into real projects - join NMIS as a Business Development Executive (Industry Account Lead)

The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), operated by the University of Strathclyde, works with businesses of all sizes to tackle manufacturing challenges, explore new technologies, and turn innovation into practical industrial solutions. Bringing together industry, research expertise and world-class facilities, we help companies improve productivity, adopt advanced manufacturing and digital technologies, and develop new opportunities for growth.

We're looking for a Business Development Executive (Industry Account Lead) to help us build those connections and grow them into meaningful, long-term relationships. You'll work directly with companies to understand their priorities, identify opportunities for collaboration and help shape projects that deliver real value for industry.

This is a hands-on, customer-facing role for someone who enjoys working with people, understands the industrial environment and can bring together commercial and technical colleagues to move opportunities forward.

What you’ll be doing:

· Develop lasting relationships with new and existing industry customers, taking time to understand their businesses, challenges and ambitions.

· Connect customer needs with NMIS expertise and facilities, working closely with our engineering, research and project teams to develop successful proposals with strong industry impact.

· Help shape commercial and collaborative R&D opportunities, developing scopes of work, proposals and funding applications with colleagues.

· Build connections across industry networks and supply chains, including opportunities to bring companies together around shared challenges.

· Support the development of a portfolio of customer accounts, identifying opportunities for further engagement, repeat business and collaboration.

· Work as part of a strong Commercial Team, contributing to continuous improvement and maintaining a well-managed process using our CRM systems to support follow-up, visibility and progress.

What you’ll bring:

· Experience in business development, customer engagement or account development, ideally in manufacturing, engineering, technology or industrial innovation.

· An ability to build trusted relationships and communicate confidently with both commercial and technical audiences.

· Curiosity about how businesses operate and the ability to recognise where new technologies or research can make a difference.

· Good organisation and follow-through, with the confidence to coordinate people and progress opportunities from first conversation towards delivery.

· A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience, ideally in engineering, physical sciences or a related industrial field.

Experience of advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, AI/data-driven applications, materials or electronics would be welcome, but you don’t need to be a specialist in every area. We’re particularly interested in your ability to successfully connect customer needs with the right people and solutions.

Why NMIS?

You’ll work alongside specialists across advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and industrial R&D, with the chance to engage a broad range of businesses and see how ideas develop into real projects with tangible impacts. With world-class facilities, leading experts, and strong partnerships across academia, government, and industry, we offer an unparalleled environment for innovation and growth, with a clear purpose – strengthening and scaling UK industry to achieve increased investment, jobs and growth.