IDRIC Partnerships & Engagement Manager

Role: IDRIC Partnership & Engagement Manager

Directorate: School of Engineering & Physical Sciences

Grade: Grade 7 (37694 - 47389)

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: 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 IDRICs 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 UKs 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 IDRICs 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 their allocated clusters/regions and their strategic objectives how this maps onto research and innovation needs including maintaining IDRICs 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 the 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 IDRICs 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 IDRICs 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 for 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 provide 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 IDRICs strategic goals and enhance overall impact.

Education Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• 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.

Desirable

• 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.

About Heriot Watt University

Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge relevant research which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation business and industry.

Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh Scottish Borders and Orkney) one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science engineering design business and languages. Heriot-Watt is also Scotlands most international university boasting the largest international student cohort.

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV.

Applications must be submitted by midnight onTuesday 6th January 2026.