We are looking for an External Engagement Manager to lead on the development and delivery of our external engagement strategy. The postholder will build a comprehensive network of external partners from all areas of society to create a culture of genuine knowledge exchange and collaboration. Reporting to the Head of Leeds Institute for Societal Futures and working closely with the Deputy Director (Research & Engagement) and the Institute Partnerships & Engagement Officer, you will be responsible for shaping and developing our Institute External (& Internal) Engagement Strategy, developing and refining our partnerships development plan, co‑designing and co‑delivering our co‑production coaching and training service and leading our policy support & engagement service. With a passion for connecting external communities with internal research activity, you will be an exceptional translator, motivator and facilitator, able to communicate across worlds in an engaging and impactful way. The postholder will also be expected to possess a strong understanding of the policy landscape and contribute to relationship building between the institute and policymakers to drive forward policy engagement, advise academic and external network members in policy development and influence and ensure effective collaboration with public and third sector institutions. We are looking for an accomplished, experienced, and self‑motivated partnerships development expert. You will build close working relationships with diverse, cross‑disciplinary internal and external networks to ensure the activity of the institute is championed, disseminated and translated into real‑world societal change. You will also train, coach and mentor our networks to work together, design their engagement, innovation and impact strategies, and determine appropriate dissemination activities and funding opportunities. You will be expected to actively pursue appropriate CPD and horizon scanning to ensure your expertise remains at the forefront of strategic, national and global government priorities and societal needs relevant to our remit, and to contribute positively to the development of a constructive, solution focused and empowering atmosphere both within the immediate Institute team and our wider networks.
You will also be responsible for monitoring and evaluating delivery in this area and reporting against strategic aims and KPIs, then refining the service to support a culture of continuous improvement. This appointment comes at a particularly exciting time to join our Institute. The University of Leeds Strategic Plan (2020-2030) sets out an ambition to place the University at the heart of a global network, finding innovative solutions to regional, national, and global challenges. Key to delivering this vision is the development and launch of two Futures Institutes (Societal and Climate), which will exemplify our strategy to combine research and innovation, knowledge exchange, and education, to deliver global impact. Leeds Institute for Societal Futures (LISF) societal.ac.uk will generate additional academic outcomes that could not be achieved by individual faculties or schools, through a focus on interdisciplinary and trans‑disciplinary collaborations, and will enhance the University's external standing and impact in major global challenge areas.
Responsibilities
1. Alongside the Deputy Director (Research & Engagement) and Head of Institute, lead the design and implementation of the Institute's Partnerships, Impact, Knowledge Exchange & Engagement (PIKE) strategy.
2. Develop and deliver a partnership development plan that embeds external partners into our research networks, teaching, and impact activities, and serves the needs of our academic networks with regards to their impact ambitions.
3. Forge and sustain a core network of strategic partners across industry, government, third sector, and community organisations.
4. In collaboration with colleagues in Policy Leeds, Horizons Institute, and the Leeds Institute for Societal Futures Partnerships & Engagement Officer, lead policy engagement initiatives, focused on developing policy capability and delivery across our networks, ensuring research informs and shapes decision‑making at local, national, and international levels.
5. Oversee the accessibility of University resources and services for external partners, removing barriers to collaboration.
6. Alongside the Institute Research & Innovation Capability Development Manager, co‑deliver the Institute's coaching and mentoring programme for two annual cohorts, with a focus on impact design & delivery, cross‑sectoral communication, and co‑production skills.
7. Design and deliver training programmes for internal and external audiences in engagement strategy, impact design, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
8. Support the development and assessment of Institute‑administered funding opportunities including ESRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) applications across multiple funding rounds, as needed.
9. Alongside the Institute Research & Innovation Capability Development Manager, support the coordination of the Institute's cross‑university, cross‑disciplinary challenge area networks, facilitating collaboration between academics and external partners within these networks.
10. Lead the design and delivery of engagement events for external audiences aimed at increasing the external influence and reputation of the institute.
11. Lead on the monitoring and reporting of the outcomes of external engagement activity, evidencing contribution to institutional KPIs.
12. Based on agreed criteria with RIS and the wider University, use knowledge of external business markets/sectors and the ability to match business needs to the capabilities of the University.
13. Act as an ambassador for the Institute and the University of Leeds when engaging with external organisations.
14. Plan and deliver presentations, attend events and conduct building / facility tours for prospective partners and stakeholders.
15. Signpost effectively and efficiently to other parts of the University, for example if expertise in strategic areas more relevant to other University entities is required.
16. Build relationships internally across the University to support the identification of new collaborative opportunities, maximising academic engagement in the Institute.
* For current employees at the University of Leeds only
About the Institute
Are you an experience External Engagement professional with a passion for delivering societal impact from interdisciplinary research? Do you believe in the power of SHAPE or STEAM research to provide genuine solutions to societies biggest challenges? Are you passionate about engaging all communities, individuals and sectors in research to democratise knowledge generation and inspire new ways of developing solutions? Do you enjoy coaching, mentoring and empowering diverse teams to engage in innovative, ambitious and groundbreaking impact activity?
Acting as a revolving doorway between the University and the wider world, Leeds Institute for Societal Futures brings academic expertise into dialogue with lived experience, industry insight and community knowledge. Our work is rooted in collaboration, driven by the belief that the best ideas emerge when knowledge is shared, not siloed. We work side by side with those leading change on the ground, offering an open and respectful space for partnership, co‑creation and action. As a result, we develop practical, policy‑relevant solutions that deliver meaningful impact locally, nationally and globally.
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