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Role: IDRIC Partnership & Engagement Manager
Directorate: School of Engineering & Physical Sciences
Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term until 31 March 2027
Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator: to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University
Detailed Description
The role of the Partnerships & Engagement Manager (PEM) is to develop and maintain a broad range of relevant internal and external stakeholders and networks, and identify and establish suitable collaborative research and innovation opportunities that support the IDRIC's goals.
The post holder will play an important part in delivering and enhancing our stakeholder engagement strategy. The strategy supports the alignment of IDRIC activities with the UK's ambition for industrial decarbonisation, enabling early identification of partnership opportunities and maximising our impact within industry. As a member of the Business & Impact (B&I) team, the post holder will work closely with our policy, skills, knowledge exchange and communications specialists to deliver in a seamless, integrated manner across IDRIC to support the development of our strategic priority areas. The post holder will develop, strengthen, and accelerate engagement with IDRIC stakeholders, including specific industries where appropriate, generating new opportunities for IDRIC and industrial decarbonisation.
Additionally, this role will generate increased financial income for IDRIC through a combination of outreach activity and engagement with external funders (e.g. UK Research Councils, industry bodies and industrial partners) in the UK as well as internationally. Working with academic members of partner institutions, the PEM will guide these opportunities towards funded projects supporting IDRIC's research and innovation activity, and related knowledge exchange activities (KE).
Support for partnerships will be underpinned by leveraged funding and direct investment from IDRIC to deliver industry relevant workshops, events and innovation activities. The post holder will be confident and experienced in working effectively with a range of stakeholders such as industry, the public, third sectors and regional organisations. This role requires a proactive and ambitious individual with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to forge and maintain mutually beneficial relationships. The post holder will be a strategic thinker who is quick to recognise emerging opportunities and able to manage multiple priorities. The post holder will have the ability to work effectively with others within and external to IDRIC, identifying areas of activity which will deliver value for all stakeholders.
Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Building a detailed knowledge and understanding of the key stakeholder organisations in allocated clusters/regions and their strategic objectives, how this maps onto research and innovation needs, including maintaining IDRIC's customer relationship management database.
- Working with the IDRIC Central team to develop strategic partnerships with business and industry; providing advice on developing pathways to impact; brokering relationships with research users in the public, private and third sectors through events and meetings.
- Working directly with industrial collaborators and IDRIC researchers to promote industry engagement with IDRIC research, and facilitate new industry-academic partnerships.
- Building on existing networks to develop strong, appropriate external links to assist IDRIC to return an optimum performance in supporting its goals for industrial engagement.
- Working with the IDRIC Central team to initiate and deliver internal and external events to support the marketing, development, and enhancement of research related activities.
- Promoting IDRIC's capabilities and identifying new opportunities to maintain and enhance relationships with UK and international companies through business development.
- Stimulating market demand among UK and international companies for IDRIC's services such as the commissioning of research, secondments, Early Career Researcher (ECR) development, access to facilities, knowledge exchange etc.
- Horizon scanning for companies and universities associated with decarbonisation to develop new partnerships and opportunities for collaboration and engagement.
- Establishing links to companies which represent longer term opportunities for company funded collaborative projects.
- Providing a single point of entry and initial support for business related enquiries about IDRIC.
- Developing and maintaining a strong understanding of IDRIC research strengths and expertise, in order to match these appropriately to opportunities for external funding and, where appropriate, to opportunities for external collaborations, both in the UK and internationally.
- Working with the Independent Advisory Board (IAB) and other relevant IDRIC management and governance bodies to identify and support opportunities relating to impact within industrial decarbonisation.
- Attending relevant internal and external meetings on behalf of IDRIC and providing feedback to colleagues as requested.
- As well supporting core IDRIC activities, the role-holder may be expected to support delivery of more targeted research to impact projects, including those led by industry stakeholders, from a variety of funders, such as InnovateUK, European Commission etc.
- Engage and assist in literature reviews, research synthesis and drafting of white papers and briefings, of relevance to specific regional stakeholders/businesses and/or projects which IDRIC is supporting.
- Analyse industry relevant research findings from IDRIC activities, presenting these clearly for diverse audiences and engaging directly with industries on potential follow-on research and impact opportunities.
- Organise stakeholder meetings, workshops, and events, including agenda setting, material preparation, and follow-up actions.
- Facilitate collaboration between partners to align project objectives with IDRIC’s strategic goals and enhance overall impact.
Education, Qualifications & Experience
- Educated to first degree level or equivalent.
- Demonstrable professional expertise in partnership engagement/stakeholder management.
- Experience building and maintaining strong relationships with businesses and industry partners.
- Ability to think strategically, understanding the objectives of both your organisation and partner organisations in order to foster mutually beneficial collaborations.
- Excellent interpersonal, influencing and presentation skills, able to understand and communicate complex issues effectively.
- Competent in the use of relevant IT packages, including CRM databases.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, using initiative.
- Ability to research, analyse and present complex information effectively with good attention to detail.
- Experience of working in Higher Education in business development and/or research to impact activities.
- Experience working within or with the energy-intensive industries.
- Demonstrable experience in engaging with stakeholders on funding opportunities, innovation and/or knowledge exchange activities.
How to Apply
Please submit via the Heriot-Watt online recruitment system: (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV.
Applications must be submitted by midnight on Tues 6th January 2026 .
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