Growth and Innovation Associate (KTP Associate)

Role: Growth and Innovation Associate (Falkirk Football Club and Heriot-Watt University); KTP Project Number)

Salary: 28000 with potential for performance related bonuses and salary uplift during the project

Contract:Full-time (35 hours per week) Fixed Term for 25 months

Detailed Description

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a collaborative partnership between Heriot-Watt University and Falkirk FC under the UK Government-sponsored Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme.

This full-time 25-month fixed-term role offers comprehensive development opportunities including business training through the national KTP programme training on Falkirk FC systems and processes and an annual training budget for tailored personal development.

You will be primarily based at the Falkirk Stadium home to Falkirk FC. The club was founded in 1876 and currently competes in Scotlands top flight (the Scottish Premiership) having achieved back-to-back league championships and promotions in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons. The project will also involve working with colleagues based at Heriot-Watt Universitys Riccarton campus in Edinburgh.

Supported by academic experts at Heriot-Watt University you will lead a project that harnesses supporter aspiration engagement and consumption to develop the club as a financially strong community-owned football club and contribute to market growth for the business. This will include but is not limited to embedding knowledge and expertise within the Falkirk FC team in data literacy digital marketing stakeholder engagement and dissemination.

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Keyword search: sport management sport business digital marketing football

Key Duties and Responsibilities

We are seeking a highly driven individual to lead an innovative project that strengthens Falkirk FCs commercial sustainability by deepening supporter connections and upskilling the club in digital data-led and engagement practices. You will be expected to interact with senior management administrative staff and supporters of Falkirk FC as well as academics from Edinburgh Business School and the School of Energy Geoscience Infrastructure and Society at Heriot-Watt University.

The role also requires you to apply your knowledge to commercial projects driving value and impact where possible with the ability to solve problems and create innovative solutions.

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• A competitive salary of 28000 per annum with a review during the project
• An exciting positive creative challenging and rewarding place to work
• The opportunity to work with experts in sport governance football finance and digital marketing at Falkirk FC and Heriot-Watt University to make real improvements to how a professional football club is managed marketed and governed on a sustainable and inclusive basis.
• As a KTP Associate membership of the national Knowledge Transfer Partnerships () scheme including entitlement to specialist management training alongside other Associates protected time for self-development and a professional development budget that will support career development beyond the project.
• Opportunity to submit a paper to an international conference
• Applicants will be assessed against the essential criteria rather than the key duties

Education Qualifications and Experience

Essential

1. A minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Sport Business or Sport Management) or a related discipline (e.g. Business Management Data Management Analytics Marketing) coupled with knowledge of football clubs as businesses and social institutions.
2. Strong research and written communication skills with experience of using data to produce reports articles or presentations.
3. Strong project management skills with the ability to manage complex multi-stakeholder projects.
4. Excellent verbal communication skills with experience of workshops stakeholder engagement or delivering oral presentations; an active listener and confident questioner.
5. Data literacy and an understanding of how data can be used to inform strategic decision-making.
6. A proactive self-motivated individual capable of working both independently and collaboratively.
7. Effective teamwork and interpersonal skills including an understanding of roles coordination empathy and organisational citizenship.
8. Adaptable empathetic and resilient with a genuine commitment to the success of the project and the ability to manage change in a dynamic environment.
9. Ability to manage and prioritise a demanding workload with strong time-management skills.

Desirable

1. A Masters degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Sport Business or Sport Management) or a related discipline (e.g. Business Management Data Management Analytics Marketing) coupled with knowledge of football clubs as businesses and social institutions.
2. Knowledge of the business of sport including ownership and governance models.
3. Advanced skills in quantitative research methods including research design and data collection using questionnaires interviews or focus groups.
4. Experience of digital marketing.
5. Familiarity with AI CRM systems or predictive modelling in customer engagement.
6. Experience of identifying market or business opportunities.

About Falkirk FC

Falkirk FC is one of Scotlands oldest football clubs founded in 1876 with a strong history of success including recent league titles and repeated promotions through the Scottish football pyramid. The clubs progress on the pitch is matched by an innovative approach off it operating under a balanced ownership model that underpins long-term ambition and stability. Formalised in 2023 this model sees supporters through the Falkirk Supporters Society (FSS) holding around 25% of the club alongside Patrons and other shareholders combining democratic fan influence with sustainable investment to support continued growth and aspiration. A key strategic aim is to now build long-term financial sustainability and consolidate their position as a top-10 Scottish club through inclusive governance digital innovation and community value.

About Heriot-Watt University

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

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

About Edinburgh Business School

Edinburgh Business School is a mission-led global hub of business knowledge and research. Its mission is to be a global leader in accessible practice-oriented education and research that promotes responsible business. Its vision is to transform lives for the betterment of societies.

About the School of Energy Geoscience Infrastructure and Society

The School of Energy Geoscience Infrastructure and Society (EGIS) is one of the UKs leading centres for multidisciplinary research and teaching in areas critical to economic development and societal equity with a focus on disciplines that contribute to a sustainable resource- and energy-efficient society.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter via the Heriot-Watt recruitment system. When uploading your documents please name both files using your full name (e.g. Jane Smith CV and Jane Smith Cover Letter).

Applications must be submitted by midnight on Thursday 18th June 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place on 02 or 03 July.

Candidates may make informal enquiries about this position to: Academic: Professor Chris Easton () or Professor Stephen Morrow () Business: Sean Skelly ()

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