Business Development and Commercialization Specialist - 3 Year Fixed Term Contract

Introduction Mintek seeks a technically credible Business Development Specialist to originate, shape, and position opportunities for the Mineral Processing & Characterisation (MPC) Cluster and, where appropriate, for the broader Mintek platform. This is a science-and-engineering business development role in an R&D environment, not a generic sales or finance post. Duties & Responsibilities KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:Proactively identify, originate, pursue, and help mature business, partnership, investor, andfunding opportunities on behalf of the MPC Cluster.Scan the market for opportunities aligned with MPC capabilities and identify higher-valueopportunities that can be positioned through broader Mintek integration.Work closely with ACD, MND, and MPD technical teams to extract, interpret, and package keytechnical insights into externally relevant value propositions.Integrate capabilities across MPC and, where relevant, across EXT and MMA into coherentsolution offerings that address real client and sector needs.Shape opportunities into structured programmes, projects, concept notes, proposals, andpartnership initiatives with clear scope, deliverables, and commercial logic.Contribute to appropriate scoping, costing, and pricing so that the full value of Mintek’stechnical capability is reflected.Engage mining companies, industrial partners, government stakeholders, development financeinstitutions, funding agencies, and investors in a credible and well-structured manner.Support the positioning and communication of techno-economic scenarios and investmentcases prepared by technical specialists, including discussion of metrics such as NPV, IRR,payback, discount rate, sensitivity, and scenario-based cases.Build and manage an opportunity pipeline that supports funding growth, revenue generation,and strategic partnerships for MPC and, where appropriate, for the wider Mintek platform. JOB KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:Demonstrated ability to work credibly with technical specialists and translate complextechnical content into partner-facing opportunity narratives.Proven exposure to opportunity origination, proposal development, programme shaping,commercial scoping, costing, pricing, or strategic partnership development.Experience in business development, technology commercialisation, innovationmanagement, programme development, or opportunity development in a science-based,engineering, mining, minerals, or industrial R&D environment.Working familiarity with techno-economic concepts and the ability to engage in discussionsinvolving NPV, IRR, payback, discount rates, sensitivities, and scenario-based investmentcases.Sound commercial reasoning and sufficient financial literacy to engage with business casesand pricing logic.Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clearbusiness-facing and investor-facing material.Integrated solution development across divisions and clusters.Stakeholder engagement and relationship development.Important Note: This role requires a strong appreciation of the science-and-engineeringR&D environment and its relationship to the mining and minerals industry. Candidates withpurely finance or generic commercial qualifications, without sufficient technical groundingor demonstrated ability to operate in a science-led R&D context, are unlikely to be suitable. QUALIFICATIONS:A minimum of 10 years industrial experience in technical, R&D, or consulting environmentwithin the mining, minerals, materials or process control sectors.A relevant degree (BSc, BEng, or equivalent) in science or engineering is required. An MSc/PhDwill be advantageous. Relevant academic backgrounds may include mineral processing, metallurgy, chemicalengineering, chemistry, mineralogy, process engineering, mining-related engineering, orclosely aligned scientific and engineering disciplines. Strong technical grounding and the ability to operate credibly in a science-led R&D environmentlinked to the mining and minerals industry are essential. Experience in business development, technology commercialisation, innovation management,programme development, strategic partnerships, or opportunity development in a relevanttechnical environment will be advantageous.An MBA or postgraduate business/commercial qualification, supported by strong technicalgrounding, will be advantageous.BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:Be able to work in a team.Excellent communication, presentation and organisational skills.Attention to detail, ability to follow up and take initiative.Initiative, judgment and delivery focus. Desired Experience & Qualification QUALIFICATIONS:A minimum of 10 years industrial experience in technical, R&D, or consulting environmentwithin the mining, minerals, materials or process control sectors.A relevant degree (BSc, BEng, or equivalent) in science or engineering is required. An MSc/PhDwill be advantageous. Relevant academic backgrounds may include mineral processing, metallurgy, chemicalengineering, chemistry, mineralogy, process engineering, mining-related engineering, orclosely aligned scientific and engineering disciplines.Strong technical grounding and the ability to operate credibly in a science-led R&D environmentlinked to the mining and minerals industry are essential.Experience in business development, technology commercialisation, innovation management,programme development, strategic partnerships, or opportunity development in a relevanttechnical environment will be advantageous.An MBA or postgraduate business/commercial qualification, supported by strong technicalgrounding, will be advantageous.