At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative projects and partnerships that create real-world impact.
- Company: Newcastle University, a global leader in research and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, health initiatives, and pension schemes.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and career growth.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team shaping the future of innovation and societal change.
- Qualifications: Experience in innovation management and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36636 - 38784 £ per year.
Salary: £36,636 to £38,784 with progression to £46,049 per annum
Closing Date: 4 October 2026
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Help shape the next generation of innovation at Newcastle University, where we are redefining what it means to be a world-class civic university. Through our Next Generation Newcastle transformation, we are making a generational commitment to shape a better future—delivering research, education and innovation that creates real-world impact locally and globally. This is a moment of exciting change. We are strengthening our focus on partnerships, place and innovation to unlock the full value of our research and talent—working with business, government and communities to tackle the challenges that matter most.
As part of this, we have transformed our Knowledge Exchange function and created Newcastle Innovations—bringing together expertise in commercialisation, partnerships and engagement into a more integrated, ambitious and outward-facing model. We are building a dynamic innovation ecosystem that accelerates the journey from discovery to impact, connecting our strengths in health, energy, data and creative practice with real-world needs and opportunities.
We are seeking to appoint two ambitious and collaborative Innovation Managers to join Newcastle Innovations and play a key role in helping the University deliver its business, innovation, partnership and place ambitions. Working closely with Senior Innovation Managers, you will support the development and delivery of innovation programmes, partnerships and funding opportunities that create meaningful economic and societal impact.
Working Closely With Senior Innovation Managers, You Will:
- Support the development and delivery of innovation and engagement projects aligned to university priorities
- Embed open innovation approaches and collaborative working practices across faculties, professional services teams and external partnerships
- Build and maintain a pipeline of high-quality innovation opportunities, funding bids and strategic projects
- Conduct horizon scanning and intelligence gathering to identify emerging funding opportunities, stakeholder needs and innovation trends
- Support academics and partners in the development of innovation-focused funding applications and collaborative initiatives
- Work across Newcastle Innovations to improve systems, processes and delivery mechanisms that accelerate innovation and engagement activities
- Contribute to the development of innovation roadmaps, partnership opportunities and place-based initiatives that deliver measurable impact
- Help capture, measure and communicate the outcomes and impact of innovation activities
About You:
You will bring:
- Experience in innovation management, business development, knowledge exchange or partnership development within higher education or a related environment
- Knowledge of open innovation approaches, stakeholder engagement and collaborative project delivery
- Experience of supporting strategic projects, partnerships or funding activities
- Experience of leading major funding bids
- Understanding of the UK innovation ecosystem, funding landscape and university-industry collaboration models
- Strong communication, influencing and relationship-building skills
- The ability to work across organisational boundaries, identify opportunities and help turn ideas into impactful projects
- A proactive, adaptable and collaborative approach, with a passion for delivering innovation that benefits society
Why join us?
You will be part of a university that is:
- A trusted civic partner with global reach
- Committed to turning research into real-world impact
- Investing in a bold, integrated approach to innovation
- Focused on delivering economic, social and environmental benefit
Together, we are building the next generation of innovation—connecting people, ideas and opportunities to shape a better future.
For any further details contact Rachel Brown at rachel.brown@newcastle.ac.uk
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, believing that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Innovation Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Newcastle University
Newcastle University is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, encouraging creativity and collaboration among its team members. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have access to professional development opportunities and the chance to work on impactful projects that enhance the university's reputation. Located in the heart of Newcastle, you'll enjoy a dynamic environment that values innovation and offers a fulfilling career path in the education sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Leverage Innovation Hubs
Tap into local innovation hubs and research centres. These places often host events and workshops where you can meet like-minded people and industry leaders. Plus, they might have job openings that aren't widely advertised, so keep your ears open!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Turn your past innovation projects into compelling stories. Create a portfolio showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills. This can give hiring managers a real flavour of what you can bring to the table at companies like Newcastle University.
✨Connect at Industry Conferences
Make it a point to attend industry conferences and seminars focused on R&D and innovation management. These events are fantastic for networking and often have job boards or career fairs where you can connect directly with firms looking for talent.
✨Use Your University’s Resources
If you're fresh out of university, don't forget to tap into your institution's career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies seeking new talent in R&D, especially for full-time roles. It's a good shortcut to landing a gig at places like Newcastle University.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Creative Thinking:In innovation and R&D management, it's all about thinking outside the box. Make sure your CV highlights any projects or experiences that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've developed and implemented innovative ideas in previous roles.
Tailor Your Experience to R&D:When you're crafting your CV, focus on your experience in research and development. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, including methodologies used and results achieved. This will show us at Newcastle University that you understand the R&D process and can contribute meaningfully to our projects.
Let Your Passion Shine in the Cover Letter:For a full-time role like this, your cover letter should reflect your genuine passion for innovation and development. Share your excitement about the opportunity to work at Newcastle University and touch on how your goals align with our mission. This helps us see your motivation for wanting to join our team!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in R&D! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your CV. Whether it’s a percentage improvement in project outcomes, the budget size you’ve managed, or the number of successful products you've launched, these figures will help paint a clearer picture of your impact and capabilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Newcastle University
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Newcastle University, they're going to want to see how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to discuss previous projects where you introduced a new idea or process. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and provide examples where your innovations drove significant results.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Technologies
Make sure you're clued up on the latest tools and technologies related to innovation management, such as project management software and data analysis platforms. Being able to discuss specific tools you’ve used or have experience with will show Newcastle University that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, emphasising your teamwork skills will be essential. In innovation, collaboration often sparks the best ideas, so be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively within cross-functional teams in your past roles. Have concrete examples at the ready!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions in your interview that reflect real challenges you might face in the role. £At Newcastle University, they might want to see how you handle tight deadlines or manage conflicting ideas within a team. Prepare some responses that demonstrate your critical thinking and decisiveness in high-pressure situations.
