Innovation Support Officer (Project Development): University of Leeds

This role will be based on the university campus, with scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner.  We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

Are you interested in driving innovation across sectorial/disciplinary boundaries and understanding complex challenges? Do you enjoy bringing people together with a purpose? Do you want to take the lead in developing new projects between the University and industry, including the 3rd sector?

The University of Leeds is one of the top 135 universities in the world.  We have a truly global community, with more than 39,000 students from 170 different countries and over 9,000 staff of 100 different nationalities.  Established in 1904, we have a strong tradition of academic excellence, reflected in first-class student education, along with world-leading research that has a real impact around the globe. 

You will take the lead in developing new Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), and other similar projects. You will use your outstanding people and communication skills to motivate and enthuse project partners, working with leading Academics and industry leaders, to build partnerships and refine projects to deliver clear objectives and meet funders’ criteria. You will coordinate contributions from internal and external partners and pull together and edit complex documents in support of funding proposals.

Building on your track record of understanding and interpreting complex information at a high level, you will enjoy the challenge and versatility of learning about new developments in a wide range of disciplines the social sciences, business management, arts & humanities as well as science and technology areas. You will be unafraid to ask questions to build a comprehensive understanding of each potential project, developing a clear view of project objectives and how they will be achieved

You will also relish the challenge of understanding the background and motivations of partner organisations and will be able to zero in on key facts and figures from balance sheets, market and competitor analyses, and business cases. You will learn the dynamics of industries that are new to you, and understand and address issues of importance to partner organisations such as costing, socio-economic impact, Intellectual Property, return on investment, business transformation and company culture and resolve potential problems in new partnerships – whether that be an ill-defined project, conflicting agendas, or a lack of commitment or understanding.

In addition to working with academic and external project partners, you will be part of a supportive KTP Office working centrally in the University.

As an essential team member, you will contribute to wider University objectives around growing Innovation funding and ensuring that the University is seen by potential external partners as a great place to do business and delivering impact.

What we offer in return

• 25 days holiday plus 15.5 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s over 40 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme – the University contributes 21.6% of salary
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team, and self-development courses including languages, Creative Writing, Wellbeing Therapies and much more.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!  

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Blessing Mukonoweshuro, Knowledge Transfer Manager – tel: +44 (0)113 343 2168, Email: fbsbmuk@leeds.ac.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 18 September 2022

Interviews will take place w/c 3 October 2022

Location: Leeds – Main Campus: Research & Innovation Service, Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)

Category: Professional & Managerial, Grade 7

Post Type & Contract: Full Time / Ongoing

Reference: CSRIS1250