Knowledge Exchange Assistant Manager

Job details

Department

Innovation and Research

Responsible to

Knowledge Exchange Manager

Salary

£36,725 to £39,800 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £50,600 per annum)

Closing date

Sunday 17 March 2024

Contract type

Permanent

Post type

Full-time

Reference

0025-24

About the role

University of Derby’s Innovation and Research Services are offering an exciting career development opportunity to help grow the portfolio of collaborative Research and Development (R&D) grants and knowledge exchange activities delivered by the University. We are recruiting for a Knowledge Exchange Assistant Manager which will provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to grow their Knowledge Exchange capabilities. You will support Knowledge Exchange activities across various sectors and be instrumental in supporting the development of collaborative partnerships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders / professionals. 

As Knowledge Exchange Assistant Manager, you will be supporting the preparation and submission of collaborative R&D and Knowledge Exchange bids, grant applications and competitive tenders with a particular focus on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and other Innovate UK opportunities. You will also work as part of a wider cross-institutional team to help deliver commercial and innovation support programmes. 

The role also involves liaison with academics, delivery teams across the University and external partners, so you will be an effective and proactive team player. 

Interview date – 28th March 2024

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Amanda Baxendale, Head of Research & Innovation Services via [email protected]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [email protected]  

Principal accountabilities

With a particular focus on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and other Innovate UK opportunities, the post holder will identify and liaise with potential client companies and academic staff to grow the portfolio of collaborative Research and Development grants and knowledge exchange activities delivered by the University.

Support the development, preparation and submission of bids, grant applications and competitive tenders for all research and knowledge exchange activity. With mentoring from colleagues where appropriate.

Work as part of a wider cross-institutional team to deliver business and innovation support programmes.

Working with Legal Services, facilitate the development of contractual agreements for the successful management of approved projects.

Working with the Compliance and Monitoring Team to enable effective monitoring, reporting and evaluation of activity.

Client relationship management, including the promotion of the University’s portfolio of business engagement activities which may include academic enterprise, innovation, applied research and employer engagement when working with organisations.

Develop a broad range of materials, engagement channels and activities, including events to support internal and external promotion of knowledge exchange.

Promote collaborative schemes to work with industry and their benefits to relevant academic and support staff across the University by participating in appropriate activities such as staff development session.

Undertake appropriate professional development, as agreed with your line manager.

Any other duties consistent with the nature and grading of the role as agreed.

Person specification
Essential Criteria
Qualifications

• Qualified to degree level or comparable knowledge gained through professional experience

Experience

• Relevant experience of the collaborative Research and Development (R&D) funding landscape, including the role of organisations such as Innovate UK
• Experience and understanding of the submission processes used by Universities and funders
• Experience of writing successful funding bids
• Relevant experience in a senior administrator role working in a busy office environment
• Experience of self-direction and ability to use own initiative
• Experience of working in a role involving strict deadlines

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Understanding of the Knowledge Exchange agenda and its relevance to the three key missions of Universities (teaching, research and Business and Community Engagement)
• Excellent communication skills including writing reports, making presentations and negotiating with customers
• Highly organised, excellent time management and organisational skills, attention to detail
• Well-developed ICT skills particularly MS365 applications
• Willingness to develop skills and capabilities aligned to the role
• Excellent relationship builder
• Willingness to engage and influence at all levels of an organisation
• Inspirational, innovative and ready to make an instant impact within the team
• Knowledge and experience of completing risk assessments and monitoring of commercial projects
• Ability to multitask with a large number of ongoing projects at different stages as well as demonstrate organisational and time-management skills working efficiently to strict deadlines

Business requirements

• Willingness to work flexibly and be responsive to business needs and client expectations (i.e. to attend breakfast meeting, evening dinners, with prior notice)
• Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between University and external sites (including travel across the UK) in a cost effective and timely manner

Desirable Criteria
Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of working with a range of private and public sector employers
• Experience of costing/pricing projects, including on a Full Economic Cost and commercial basis
• Knowledge and experience of completing risk assessments and monitoring of commercial projects
• Experience of working in the Higher Education sector
• Business development and client relationship management experience, including use of Customer Relationship Management software
• Relevant experience in administrating the implementation and auditing of quality management systems

Skills, knowledge and abilities

• Ability to coordinate the actions of individuals working collaboratively to achieve a joint goal. To do so in a way which is facilitates and enables relationship building
• Ability to work through issues to resolve in a professional manner
• Ability to work on your own initiative to problem solve and draw in the necessary opinions of experts to bring forward recommendations for resolution. Using disparate information from funders, clients and internal policies to resolve queries.

Benefits

As well as competitive pay scales, we offer generous holiday entitlement. We also offer opportunities for further salary progression based on performance, and the opportunity to join a contributory pension scheme.

Find out more about pay and benefitsFind out more about pay and benefits

How to apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

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If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at [email protected] .

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.

Important information

Please note that unfortunately, this role will not attract sufficient points to obtain a sponsored Skilled Worker visa under the UK Visas & Immigration points based immigration system; however, applications are welcome from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK, but who would be eligible to obtain a valid visa via another route..

Please consult the Home office website for further information.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

A university that celebrates youA university that celebrates you

Further details

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Why join Derby?

Challenging, interesting and constantly changing, the University of Derby is an extraordinary place to learn and an incredibly rewarding place to work.

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We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.