Technical Commercial Lead

About Glass Futures

Our Vision:
A world where materials industries are clean, circular, and driven by digital innovation, powering a sustainable future for people and planet.

Core Values: Collaboration | Innovation | Integrity | Safety

Glass Futures Limited is a high-profile organisation supporting the global glass industry and wider foundational industries in delivering net zero, circularity, and advanced manufacturing through collaborative R&D, industrial-scale facilities, and strong industry partnerships.

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated Technical Business Development Lead to join our Commercial Team and develop into a future commercial leader within Glass Futures.

This role is ideal for someone early in their commercial career, or transitioning from a technical or engineering background, who is keen to build skills in business development, stakeholder engagement, and commercial proposal development within a world-class R&D and innovation environment.

You will work closely with our commercial colleagues, technical teams, and project managers, gaining exposure to industry partnerships, funded R&D projects, and membership engagement, with structured support and development.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development Support

• • Support the identification and development of new members, commercial opportunities, and funding prospects.

• • Assist in maintaining and developing relationships with industry partners and stakeholders.

• • Contribute to pipeline tracking, CRM activity, and opportunity qualification.

Technical & Commercial Engagement

• • Work with technical teams to understand Glass Futures’ capabilities and ongoing projects.

• • Help translate technical concepts into clear, customer-focused propositions.

• • Participate in meetings with members and partners.

Proposal & Bid Support

• • Support the preparation of commercial proposals, funding applications, and project documentation.

• • Assist with market research, partner mapping, and consortium development.

• • Contribute to proposal writing, costing support, and submission coordination.

Market Awareness & Insight

• • Research industry trends, emerging technologies, funding calls, and policy developments.

• • Support the Commercial Team with insight that informs opportunity development and strategy.

Project & Member Support

• • Work with project managers and technical teams to support successful delivery of member projects.

• • Assist with member communications and ongoing relationship management.

Required Skills & Experience

• • Some experience (or strong interest) in business development, commercial, or customer-facing roles within a technical or engineering environment.

• • Technical background or degree in engineering, materials science, environmental science, or a related discipline.

• • Strong communication skills, with the ability to learn how to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

• • Well-organised, proactive, and keen to learn.

• • Interest in sustainability, industrial decarbonisation, and applied R&D.

Desirable

• • Exposure to industrial R&D, innovation projects, or research environments.

• • Familiarity with proposal writing or funding applications.

• • Knowledge of glass manufacturing, materials, or sustainable manufacturing.

• • Experience working with not-for-profit or collaborative organisations.