Innovation Development Manager in Bristol

Research and External Engagement (REE) is a new integrated service dedicated to driving forward the University’s ambitions for research, innovation, skills and enterprise. This professional service works to support our students, drive research excellence, upskill and reskill the region's workforce, strengthen relationships and engagement with our alumni, business and community partners.

Through cutting-edge research initiatives, hands-on learning opportunities, strategic partnerships, civic leadership, and skills delivery, we will empower individuals to thrive in an ever-changing world. The Innovation team provides the professional services needed to support research and knowledge exchange activities that sit at the interface of university expertise and facilities and business and community. The team is responsible for initiating, fostering and delivering a portfolio of products/services tailored to the R&D needs of external organisations.

The Innovation Development Manager will be responsible for developing and growing university-business collaborations across the university. This will involve developing strong relationships with external partners, making a detailed assessment of the innovation and R&D needs of those partners and identifying opportunities to collaborate with UWE Bristol researchers. In particular, the role is expected to proactively generate a pipeline of external businesses and organisations seeking to collaborate with UWE Bristol through mechanisms such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and collaborative or contract research.

About you

You are a curious, outgoing individual, capable of building relationships based on trust and integrity. You are committed to delivering excellent customer service and you have experience of working in a large complex organisation. You can listen to and interpret the innovation and R&D needs of external organisations and seek out the expertise and facilities within the university that can help meet those needs. You are an excellent communicator (orally and written) skilled at holding exploratory conversations to understand business needs. You can work flexibly across multiple different product offerings. You embrace new ways of working and are always looking to improve systems and processes.

Where is this role based?

This post is based at our lively Frenchay campus where we have invested in the latest facilities and resources to give both our staff and students access to everything they need to succeed.

Why UWE Bristol?

We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe. Based in Bristol, one of the UK’s most exciting and forward-thinking cities, we are regionally embedded and globally connected, with an established network of employer and academic partners.

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, generous annual leave and career average pension schemes as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development.

UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community. We are proud to be part of a vibrant, multicultural city that celebrates diversity, we’re always looking for talented people from all backgrounds to join us. Our people are our strength, and diversity enhances our creativity and leads to better decision-making and problem-solving. Bring your talent and ambition to our growing community and find yourself in a stimulating and supportive environment where you’ll thrive.

We particularly encourage applications from global majority and male candidates as we are currently under-represented in this area of the organisation, however all appointments are made strictly on individual merit. As a Disability Confident employer, we welcome applications from those who identify as having a disability.

Further information

Shortlisting is expected to be completed within 2 weeks of the closing date depending on application volumes. We aim to give candidates at least a week’s notice to attend interview. This is a full-time, permanent post, working 37 hours per week. This post is available on a job share basis for applicants wishing to work part time.

UWE Bristol is a campus-based University and it is vital to our success and the delivery of an outstanding experience for our students that our campuses are dynamic and vibrant places to learn and spend time. This role is therefore campus based for at least 60% percent of your time, with the opportunity to work from home on the remaining days.

To ensure fairness and equity all salary offers will be made in line with the University’s salary assessment guidelines and will be based on your relevant skills and experience.

Right to Work in the UK

The University has a legal responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. You will therefore be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK.

Advice to applicants

We’d love to hear from you - if you are excited about this opportunity please complete our application form as soon as possible. Tell us how your skills and experience relate to the requirements of this role by describing how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the Job Description, and include specific examples wherever possible. Once we have completed shortlisting we will let you know the outcome of your application by email, so please check your inbox for updates. To avoid missing out, we encourage early applications, as the vacancy may close sooner if we receive a high volume of interest.