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 working, competitive salary, and a vibrant office in central London.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on engineering research and collaboration across sectors.
- 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 in London 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 a flexible working culture that promotes work-life balance. Join us to make a meaningful contribution to society while enjoying the benefits of a supportive and innovative workplace.
Contact Detail:
Royal Academy of Engineering Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Research Fellowships & Partnerships in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, attend industry events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Research Fellowships & Partnerships in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in leading research funding programmes and managing partnerships. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a potential leader, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to manage teams and projects effectively. Share examples of how you've developed high-performing teams and delivered successful outcomes in previous roles. We love to see strong leadership in action!
Highlight Stakeholder Management Experience:This role involves building relationships across various sectors, so make sure to mention your experience in stakeholder management. We’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively with academia, industry, and government, so share those stories!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Academy of Engineering
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the Royal Academy of Engineering's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their research fellowships and partnership schemes, as well as current trends in academia-industry collaborations. This will help you demonstrate your strategic vision and how it aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading large-scale programmes and managing diverse teams. Be ready to discuss how you've driven continuous improvement and fostered inclusive practices in previous roles. This will show them you're the right fit for a leadership position.
✨Build Relationships
Think about how you can leverage your existing network within the UK research and higher education landscape. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully built and maintained partnerships in the past, and how you plan to strengthen these relationships for the Academy.
✨Financial Acumen is Key
Brush up on your financial management skills, especially regarding multi-year budgets and forecasting. Be ready to discuss your approach to ensuring value for money and managing risks effectively. This will demonstrate your strong financial judgement, which is crucial for this role.
