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- Tasks: Develop partnerships and engage stakeholders to support industrial decarbonisation initiatives.
- Company: Join Heriot-Watt University, a leader in engineering and physical sciences.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, plus additional closed days and competitive rewards.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while building valuable industry connections.
- Qualifications: Degree level education and experience in stakeholder management required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the IDRIC Partnerships & Engagement Manager role at Heriot-Watt University.
Role: IDRIC Partnership & Engagement Manager
Directorate: School of Engineering & Physical Sciences
Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term until 31 March 2027
Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff.
Detailed Description
The role of the Partnerships & Engagement Manager (PEM) is to develop and maintain a broad range of relevant internal and external stakeholders and networks, and identify and establish suitable collaborative research and innovation opportunities that support the IDRIC's goals. The post holder will play an important part in delivering and enhancing our stakeholder engagement strategy. The strategy supports the alignment of IDRIC activities with the UK's ambition for industrial decarbonisation, enabling early identification of partnership opportunities and maximising our impact within industry.
As a member of the Business & Impact (B&I) team, the post holder will work closely with our policy, skills, knowledge exchange and communications specialists to deliver in a seamless, integrated manner across IDRIC to support the development of our strategic priority areas. The post holder will develop, strengthen, and accelerate engagement with IDRIC stakeholders, including specific industries where appropriate, generating new opportunities for IDRIC and industrial decarbonisation.
Additionally, this role will generate increased financial income for IDRIC through a combination of outreach activity and engagement with external funders (e.g. UK Research Councils, industry bodies and industrial partners) in the UK as well as internationally. Working with academic members of partner institutions, the PEM will guide these opportunities towards funded projects supporting IDRIC's research and innovation activity, and related knowledge exchange activities (KE).
Support for partnerships will be underpinned by leveraged funding and direct investment from IDRIC to deliver industry relevant workshops, events and innovation activities. The post holder will be confident and experienced in working effectively with a range of stakeholders such as industry, the public, third sectors and regional organisations. This role requires a proactive and ambitious individual with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to forge and maintain mutually beneficial relationships. The post holder will be a strategic thinker who is quick to recognise emerging opportunities and able to manage multiple priorities. The post holder will have the ability to work effectively with others within and external to IDRIC, identifying areas of activity which will deliver value for all stakeholders.
Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Building a detailed knowledge and understanding of the key stakeholder organisations in allocated clusters/regions and their strategic objectives, how this maps onto research and innovation needs, including maintaining IDRIC's customer relationship management database.
- Working with the IDRIC Central team to develop strategic partnerships with business and industry; providing advice on developing pathways to impact; brokering relationships with research users in the public, private and third sectors through events and meetings.
- Working directly with industrial collaborators and IDRIC researchers to promote industry engagement with IDRIC research, and facilitate new industry-academic partnerships.
- Building on existing networks to develop strong, appropriate external links to assist IDRIC to return an optimum performance in supporting its goals for industrial engagement.
- Working with the IDRIC Central team to initiate and deliver internal and external events to support the marketing, development, and enhancement of research related activities.
- Promoting IDRIC's capabilities and identifying new opportunities to maintain and enhance relationships with UK and international companies through business development.
- Stimulating market demand among UK and international companies for IDRIC's services such as the commissioning of research, secondments, Early Career Researcher (ECR) development, access to facilities, knowledge exchange etc.
- Horizon scanning for companies and universities associated with decarbonisation to develop new partnerships and opportunities for collaboration and engagement.
- Establishing links to companies which represent longer term opportunities for company funded collaborative projects.
- Providing a single point of entry and initial support for business related enquiries about IDRIC.
- Developing and maintaining a strong understanding of IDRIC research strengths and expertise, in order to match these appropriately to opportunities for external funding and, where appropriate, to opportunities for external collaborations, both in the UK and internationally.
- Working with the Independent Advisory Board (IAB) and other relevant IDRIC management and governance bodies to identify and support opportunities relating to impact within industrial decarbonisation.
- Attending relevant internal and external meetings on behalf of IDRIC and providing feedback to colleagues as requested.
- Engage and assist in literature reviews, research synthesis and drafting of white papers and briefings, of relevance to specific regional stakeholders/businesses and/or projects which IDRIC is supporting.
- Analyse industry relevant research findings from IDRIC activities, presenting these clearly for diverse audiences and engaging directly with industries on potential follow-on research and impact opportunities.
- Organise stakeholder meetings, workshops, and events, including agenda setting, material preparation, and follow-up actions.
- Facilitate collaboration between partners to align project objectives with IDRIC's strategic goals and enhance overall impact.
Education, Qualifications & Experience
- Educated to first degree level or equivalent.
- Demonstrable professional expertise in partnership engagement/stakeholder management.
- Experience building and maintaining strong relationships with businesses and industry partners.
- Ability to think strategically, understanding the objectives of both your organisation and partner organisations in order to foster mutually beneficial collaborations.
- Excellent interpersonal, influencing and presentation skills, able to understand and communicate complex issues effectively.
- Competent in the use of relevant IT packages, including CRM databases.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, using initiative.
- Ability to research, analyse and present complex information effectively with good attention to detail.
- Experience of working in Higher Education in business development and/or research to impact activities.
- Experience working within or with the energy-intensive industries.
- Demonstrable experience in engaging with stakeholders on funding opportunities, innovation and/or knowledge exchange activities.
How to Apply
Please submit via the Heriot-Watt online recruitment system: (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV. Applications must be submitted by midnight on Tues 6th January 2026.
IDRIC Partnerships & Engagement Manager in Edinburgh employer: Heriot-Watt University
Contact Detail:
Heriot-Watt University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IDRIC Partnerships & Engagement Manager in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in your industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might help you land that dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its stakeholders. Understand their goals and how you can contribute to them. This will not only impress your interviewers but also help you tailor your responses to show you're the perfect fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the position and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the best candidate for the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you along the way. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, get your application in and let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace IDRIC Partnerships & Engagement Manager in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to express your enthusiasm for the IDRIC Partnerships & Engagement Manager role and highlight how your experience aligns with the job description. We want to see your personality come through, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your CV: When applying, it’s crucial to tailor your CV to match the key responsibilities and qualifications mentioned in the job description. Highlight relevant experiences that showcase your skills in partnership engagement and stakeholder management. We’re looking for specifics that demonstrate your fit for the role!
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In both your cover letter and CV, make sure to illustrate your strategic thinking abilities. Share examples of how you’ve identified opportunities and built relationships in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can think ahead and align their work with broader goals!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it makes the process smoother for both you and us. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Heriot-Watt University
✨Know Your Stakeholders
Before the interview, take some time to research the key stakeholders relevant to the IDRIC role. Understand their strategic objectives and how they align with the goals of Heriot-Watt University. This will not only show your initiative but also help you articulate how you can contribute to building and maintaining these relationships.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to discuss examples from your past experiences where you've successfully identified and pursued partnership opportunities. Highlight your ability to think strategically about collaborations and how you can leverage existing networks to enhance IDRIC's impact in industrial decarbonisation.
✨Demonstrate Interpersonal Skills
Since this role requires excellent interpersonal skills, think of specific instances where you've effectively communicated complex ideas or influenced stakeholders. Practice articulating these examples clearly, as it will be crucial to convey your ability to forge and maintain mutually beneficial relationships.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you would handle real-world challenges in partnership engagement. Prepare by thinking through potential situations you might face in the role and how you would approach them, ensuring you align your answers with IDRIC's strategic goals.
