At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research fellowships and partnerships to support future engineering leaders.
- Company: The Royal Academy of Engineering, a prestigious institution driving innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and a vibrant office in central London.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equity and inclusion in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on engineering research and collaboration across academia and industry.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in grant management and partnership development.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
The Royal Academy of Engineering is seeking a talented leader to oversee our research fellowships and partnership schemes, supporting outstanding engineers to become future research leaders and strengthening collaborations between academia and industry to deliver societal, economic and environmental benefit.
What you’ll do
- Provide strategic leadership for the Academy’s Research Fellowship and partnership schemes, ensuring they remain relevant to user needs, aligned to Academy priorities and delivered to a consistently high standard.
- Oversee a high-volume, high-profile portfolio, maintaining robust governance, assurance and value for money, and ensuring delivery against agreed objectives, timelines and quality standards.
- Lead continuous improvement across programme design and delivery, strengthening repeatability, scalability, user‑centred practice and system‑level impact, and embedding inclusive practice throughout.
- Develop and strengthen industrial and corporate partnerships, working with colleagues to sustain existing funding and secure new income streams for research schemes.
- Build and maintain senior relationships across the UK research and higher education landscape, industry, government departments and partner organisations, representing the Academy externally as appropriate.
- Work closely with colleagues across grant operations, monitoring and evaluation, policy, communications, education and EDI to deliver a joined‑up offer for awardees and maximise impact.
- Lead and develop high‑performing teams through two Senior Programme Managers, setting clear objectives, enabling delivery and supporting professional growth.
What you’ll bring
- Substantial experience leading large‑scale grant, fellowship or research funding programmes, with strong strategic oversight and end‑to‑end delivery expertise.
- Experience developing and managing academia–industry partnership schemes, with credibility and influence across relevant stakeholders.
- A strong track record of senior leadership, including line management and development of talented, diverse teams.
- Strong financial judgement, with experience managing multi‑year budgets, forecasting and reporting within an appropriate risk framework.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with academia, industry, government and other partners.
- A good understanding of the UK research and higher education landscape and best practice in research and fellowship programme management.
- A strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to upholding high standards in governance, compliance and data handling.
Our location
Our light, spacious head office is based in a fantastic location in central London with views over St James’s Park and close to the West End. We operate hybrid, flexible working practices with a baseline for office based working of a mandatory weekly team day plus further days each week as required for the role and the Academy. The Academy is committed to making reasonable adjustments to remove barriers that hinder applicants from applying or staff from working effectively and comfortably.
Head of Research Fellowships & Partnerships employer: Royal Academy of Engineering
The Royal Academy of Engineering is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of central London, where you can lead impactful research initiatives and foster vital partnerships between academia and industry. With a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, the Academy provides ample opportunities for professional growth and development, alongside flexible working practices that promote a healthy work-life balance. Join us to make a meaningful difference while enjoying the benefits of a supportive and collaborative culture.
Contact Detail:
Royal Academy of Engineering Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Research Fellowships & Partnerships
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Don’t just talk about your experience; demonstrate it! Share insights on social media or write articles related to research fellowships and partnerships. This positions you as a thought leader and makes you more attractive to potential employers.
✨Prepare for Informal Chats
Before applying, reach out to current or former employees of the Academy. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have. These informal chats can give you valuable insights and help you tailor your approach.
✨Apply Through Our Website
When you find a role that excites you, apply directly through our website. It shows your enthusiasm and ensures your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Research Fellowships & Partnerships
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Head of Research Fellowships & Partnerships role. Highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with the Academy's goals, showing us why you're the perfect fit.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading teams and managing partnerships, be sure to emphasise your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've successfully guided teams or projects in the past, and how you can bring that expertise to our Academy.
Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement:We want to see your ability to build relationships across various sectors. Include specific instances where you've effectively engaged with stakeholders in academia, industry, or government, showcasing your communication skills and strategic thinking.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we appreciate professionalism, don't hesitate to let your personality shine through. A touch of authenticity can make your application stand out. Remember, we’re looking for someone who fits well with our culture at the Academy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Academy of Engineering
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of research fellowships and partnership schemes. Familiarise yourself with the Royal Academy of Engineering’s current projects and priorities, as well as the broader UK research landscape. This will help you demonstrate your strategic insight and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading large-scale programmes and managing diverse teams. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them. This will help you convey your ability to lead high-performing teams and drive continuous improvement.
✨Build Relationships
Since stakeholder management is key for this role, come ready to discuss how you’ve built and maintained relationships across academia, industry, and government. Share stories that illustrate your communication skills and your ability to influence and collaborate with various partners.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity
The Academy values equity, diversity, and inclusion, so be prepared to talk about how you’ve embedded these principles in your previous roles. Discuss any initiatives you’ve led or been part of that promote inclusivity, and how you plan to continue this work in the new position.
