Research Manager - Sustainable Golf Development

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Sustainable Golf department as a Research Manager. The successful candidate will play a central role in advancing The R&A’s strategic priority of providing best practice advice to ensure a sustainable future for golf courses. This will be achieved by delivering high-impact research projects that produce practical solutions for environmentally responsible golf course management and agronomy. This incorporates R&A sustainable golf research, including Golf Course 2030 (GC2030) and the International Turfgrass Research Initiative (ITRI). This position will also lead the expansion of the R&A’s research portfolio in sustainable agronomy; awarding, coordinating and commissioning applied turfgrass research projects at key global sites with our network of partners. The postholder will ensure that research outcomes address the most material issues facing golf course management worldwide and are practically adopted by the industry.

This is a full time, 12-month fixed term position working 35 hours per week. Frequent travel within the UK and Europe will be required, with occasional international travel. Successful candidates will be payrolled via our partner agency. Please note, we may close applications early should we receive sufficient applications.

What We Offer

• Company Pension Scheme and Sick Pay
• 35 Days Holiday Per Year
• Free tickets to The Open and AIG Women’s Open each year (and other relevant R&A Championships)
• Discounts available across 800 UK retailers and local businesses

Who We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate will have the following experience and attributes:

• Degree (and ideally postgraduate qualification) in turfgrass science, agronomy, plant or soil science, environmental science, or a related discipline.
• Experience managing applied research programmes in turfgrass, agriculture, or environmental sustainability.
• Understanding of golf course management practices, sustainability challenges, and the international turfgrass research landscape.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multi-stakeholder projects and budgets.
• Excellent communication skills, with experience translating scientific findings into practical recommendations.
• Willingness to travel internationally for research coordination and stakeholder engagement.

About The R&A: The R&A group of companies was formed in 2004 to take on The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews’ responsibilities for governing the Rules of Golf, staging The Open, golf’s original championship, and developing the sport. The R&A World Golf Museum in St Andrews is part of The R&A group. Together The R&A and the USGA govern the sport of golf worldwide, operating in separate jurisdictions with a commitment to a single code for the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status and Equipment Standards. The R&A, through R&A Rules Ltd, governs the sport worldwide, outside of the United States and Mexico, on behalf of over 62 million golfers in 147 countries and with the consent of 166 organisations from amateur and professional golf. The R&A has responsibility for running a series of world class amateur events and international matches in women’s and girls’ as well as men’s and boys’ golf. The R&A stages the AIG Women’s Open and works with the DP World Tour to stage the Senior Open. The R&A is committed to investing £200 million over ten years in developing golf and supports the growth of the sport internationally, including the development and management of sustainable golf facilities.