At a Glance
- Tasks: Connect researchers with businesses to turn ideas into real-world impact.
- Company: Join the University of Surrey, a global leader in education and research.
- Benefits: Full-time role until July 2027 with opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Inclusive environment that values diversity and encourages under-represented groups to apply.
- Why this job: Make a difference by driving innovation and collaboration between academia and industry.
- Qualifications: Degree or relevant experience in business engagement or research impact required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Innovation Manager (Business Engagement)
The University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research.
We are ambitious and have a bold vision of what we want to achieve - shaping ourselves into one of the best universities in the world, which we are achieving through the talents and endeavour of every employee.
Our culture empowers people to achieve this aim and to collectively, and individually, make a real difference.
We are looking for an Innovation Manager – Business Engagement to help grow and embed knowledge exchange activity across the University, supporting academics and business partners to turn research strengths into real-world benefit.
This is a full time fixed-term role until July 2027.
Working within Research, Innovation and Impact, you will build productive relationships between the University and businesses, particularly SMEs, helping to identify opportunities for collaboration, funding and impact.
You will play an important role in supporting the University’s innovation ambitions by connecting researchers with external organisations, developing business-led projects and helping to deliver outcomes that contribute to research impact and knowledge exchange.
In this role, you will
- Work with academic colleagues and other internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for business engagement, collaborative research, knowledge exchange and business-led innovation activity.
- Promote the University’s research strengths and expertise to external organisations, building and maintaining strong relationships with businesses, sector partners, funders and other external stakeholders.
- Support the development of innovation funding applications, in particular opportunities linked to Innovate UK, and other business-led collaboration funding routes.
- Maintain a pipeline and portfolio of business-led innovation and engagement projects, ensuring collaborations are productive, sustainable, aligned with University strategy, and evidenced in support of the University’s impact ambitions, including REF, KEF and other knowledge exchange outcomes.
This is an opportunity to work at the interface between research, innovation and industry, helping ideas move from academic expertise into practical application and wider societal and economic benefit.
About you
We are looking for someone who can build strong relationships, spot opportunities and support innovation funding applications through to successful outcomes.
You will bring
- A relevant degree or postgraduate qualification, or equivalent substantial vocational and professional experience in a related role.
- Experience of knowledge exchange, innovation, business engagement or research impact activity.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage a varied portfolio of work and deliver to deadlines.
- Experience of working with businesses, including start-ups or SMEs, and an understanding of business needs, commercial drivers, business plans or financial considerations.
- Experience of identifying, scoping, and supporting applications for innovation, knowledge exchange or business-led collaboration funding.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to work with academics, businesses, funders and senior stakeholders.
- The ability to work with a high degree of autonomy, sound judgement and professionalism.
The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all.
We place great value on diversity and are seeking to increase the diversity within our community.
Therefore we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities.
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Innovation Manager (Business Engagement) in Guildford employer: University of Surrey
The University of Surrey is an exceptional employer, fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on impactful research, staff have access to numerous growth opportunities and resources to advance their careers. Located in a dynamic academic environment, the university not only supports meaningful contributions to cutting-edge research but also encourages a sense of community among its diverse workforce.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Manager (Business Engagement) in Guildford
✨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 University of Surrey.
✨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 University of Surrey.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Manager (Business Engagement) in Guildford
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 University of Surrey 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 University of Surrey 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 University of Surrey
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at University of Surrey, 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 University of Surrey 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 University of Surrey, 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.
