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Head of Regional Funding and Knowledge Exchange

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
United Kingdom
Closing date
Feb 5, 2018

Job Details

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Head of Strategic Research Development in Research Support Services, the Head of Regional Funding & Knowledge Exchange will be responsible for proactively leading the development of strategic approaches with senior management and academic teams across the University to maximise opportunities for impact, innovation and knowledge exchange through both national (e.g. Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF)), and regional mechanisms (such as Midlands Engine, West Midlands Combined Authority and the Local Growth Fund).

You will lead a small team of professionals delivering key elements of the University’s Higher Education Innovation Fund knowledge exchange strategy focussing on the securing of major funding for knowledge exchange and innovation activities.

Working closely with senior management to establish the strategic direction and with colleagues across Research Support, Business Engagement, Enterprise and Innovation and External Relations (Public Affairs, Marketing and Communications), the role will focus on the engagement of local (i.e. Local Enterprise Partnerships), regional (e.g. West Midlands Combined Authority, Midlands Engine) and national (i.e. InnovateUK) funders and bodies strategic to the successful attraction of knowledge exchange and innovation funding to the University. In addition the post-holder will maintain post award oversight of grant funding supporting knowledge exchange-related impact activities (e.g. EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account) and regional funded projects (ESIF projects).

Key funding mechanisms that the postholder’s team will be responsible for targeting will include InnovateUK (e.g. KTP, collaborative R&D), European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), Local Growth Funds (LGF), critically the new Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) and other regional innovation funding.

 

Person Specification

 

Knowledge and Skills

Strategic Thinking and Perspective

  • Ability to think and lead strategically on matters relevant to the role across the institution including integrating complex information from internal and external sources to inform priorities for knowledge exchange and innovation
  • Excellent analytical skills (financial, situational and organisational) with a proven ability to analyse complex information and present conclusions, at both strategic and operational levels, clearly and concisely
  • Ability to think innovatively to identify and initiate appropriate action on opportunities consistent with the University’s strategy and strengths
  • Clear understanding of the strategic priorities and challenges for higher education and how knowledge exchange activities sit within this context


Leading People

  • • Ability to lead a team with energy and enthusiasm, gaining their commitment in the delivery of a wide array of projects and activities simultaneously whilst balancing priorities
  • • Positively influences colleagues internally at all levels in order to implement strategic thinking and operational plans
  • • Able to represent the University externally, regionally, nationally and internationally
  • Performance and Resource Management
  • • Ability to work and manage their time and that of others effectively, efficiently and supportively when under pressure, prioritising a diverse workload and always responding professionally and in a customer–focussed way.
  • • Creative attitude and excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to generate innovative responses when faced with a range of challenging scenarios


Communication

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills with a wide range of audiences. Ability to confidently communicate one-on-one and in front of a group in a persuasive manner, gaining cooperation from people with disparate goals.
  • Demonstrable ability to rapidly assimilate complex scenarios and key issues and present these in a fashion credible to both senior academics and senior industrialists.

 

Working Collaboratively

  • Ability to build trusted relationships and work as part of a diverse team across different areas in delivering institutional goals
  • Proven ability to network and build mutually beneficial relationships between groups of people (e.g. academics, industry partners, funders)
  • Strong negotiation skills, and the ability to persuade and influence with diplomacy and sensitivity

 

Qualifications and experience

  • At least an honours degree or equivalent. A post-graduate qualification providing additional understanding of knowledge exchange or innovation systems would be highly beneficial.
  • Knowledge and understanding of national knowledge exchange and innovation strategies and policies and how these impact on Higher Education Institutions.
  • Appreciation of the role Higher Education Institutions play within the wider regional innovation agenda
  • Appreciation of the challenges, importance and mechanisms for undertaking industry-relevant research and innovation programmes especially with Small and Medium-sized companies (SMEs)
  • Experience in research management, preferably in a higher education setting, with demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the strategic issues impacting the research and knowledge transfer environment within the UK; previous experience in a knowledge exchange or similar role within a University or similar environment would be highly beneficial
  • Experience of developing and writing successful proposals for regional development, knowledge exchange or innovation funding with industry (e.g. for LGF, Innovate UK, ESIF)
  • Strong partnership management and engagement skills built from working closely with funders or partners and a willingness to negotiate positions that ensure a mutually beneficial outcome.
  • Excellent management and leadership capability with a proven commitment and successful track record of delivering excellent customer service through partnership working and setting standards for performance and behaviour and the active management of individuals and team performance
  • Evidence of excellent communication skills, including a high standard of written and oral English

Company

Global Academy Jobs works with over 250 universities worldwide to promote academic mobility and international research collaboration. Global problems need international solutions. Our jobs board and emails reach the academics and researchers who can help.

"The globalisation of higher education continues apace, driving in turn the ongoing development of the global knowledge economy, striving for solutions to the world’s problems and educating a next generation of leaders and contributors."

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