Business Engagement: Heriot-Watt University
The newly formed HWU-R&R Delivery Team has a key role in enabling a partnership with the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Programme. The team will work alongside Professor Guy Walker and be aligned to the R&R Programme staff. Agility of the team will be secured by a phased approach, and a lean team committed to grow throughout the phases. Agility, flexibility, and commitment of each team member will be key for the success of the team’s deliverables and for the overall project. One of the main purposes of the team is to co-create a sociotechnical research programme, both with existent partners and with perspective new collaborators. For the programme to be effective, its outcomes have to offer a return on investment for the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Programme and for the construction sector: this assumes that (1) the stakeholders’ needs are understood, and (2) the research programme delivers solutions to identified and unforeseen needs of the stakeholders and of the sector.
The Business Engagement post will lead on stakeholders’ engagement. You will organise and facilitate workshops and co-development activities, ensure effective communication, foster relationships, and advise on matchmaking between researchers and industry partners. You will be able to explain difficult concepts using clear language, and to translate effectively between academia and business jargon. Supported by further intelligence from the rest of the team, the Business Engagement role will be instrumental in refining direction or research and developing a compelling Business Case, which constitutes a deliverable of this first phase of the HWU work for the R&R Programme.
Due to the variety of the tasks and the need of agility in the team, job sharing can also be considered to accommodate for candidates with the most suited skill-set. Please note that it is possible to apply jointly for this Business Engagement role and for a complementary Business Development role (IRC30172). For further information or an informal discussion please contact s.foscarin@hw.ac.uk