Role
Growth and Innovation Associate (Falkirk Football Club and Heriot-Watt University); KTP Project Number 1828850.
Salary
£28,000 per annum, with potential for performance‑related bonuses and salary uplift during the project.
Contract
Full‑time, 35 hours per week, fixed‑term for 25 months.
Overview
This role is part of a UK Government‑sponsored Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme between Heriot‑Watt University (HWU) and Falkirk FC. You will lead a project that harnesses supporter aspiration, engagement, and consumption to develop Falkirk FC as a financially strong, community‑owned club and contribute to market growth for the business.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
* Lead an innovative commercial sustainability project, deepening supporter connections and upskilling the club in digital, data‑led, and engagement practices.
* Interact with senior management, administrative staff, supporters, and academics from Edinburgh Business School and the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society at HWU.
* Apply your knowledge to commercial projects, driving value and impact, solving problems, and creating innovative solutions.
* Deliver project outcomes on time, meet quality standards, and provide regular progress reports to stakeholders.
Essential Criteria
* Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Sport Business, Sport Management, Business, Management, Data Management, Analytics, Marketing) with knowledge of football clubs as businesses.
* Strong research and written communication skills, experience of using data to produce reports, articles, or presentations.
* Strong project management skills, able to manage complex, multi‑stakeholder projects.
* Excellent verbal communication skills, experience of workshops, stakeholder engagement, or delivering oral presentations.
* Data literacy and understanding of data use in strategic decision‑making.
* Proactive, self‑motivated, able to work independently and collaboratively.
* Effective teamwork and interpersonal skills, including empathy and organisational citizenship.
* Adaptable, resilient, and committed to project success with the ability to manage change.
* Strong time‑management skills, able to prioritise a demanding workload.
Desirable Criteria
* Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Sport Business, Sport Management, Business, Management, Data Management, Analytics, Marketing).
* Knowledge of the business of sport, including ownership and governance models.
* Advanced quantitative research methods skills (research design, data collection via questionnaires, interviews, focus groups).
* Experience of digital marketing.
* Familiarity with AI, CRM systems or predictive modelling in customer engagement.
* Experience identifying market or business opportunities.
Benefits and Perks
* Competitive salary of £28,000 per annum, reviewed during the project.
* Access to the national KTP scheme, specialist management training, protected time for self‑development, and a professional development budget.
* Opportunity to submit a paper to an international conference.
* Being part of a creative, challenging, and rewarding working environment with experts in sport governance, football finance and digital marketing.
About Falkirk FC
Founded in 1876, Falkirk FC competes in the Scottish Premiership and operates under a balanced ownership model. The club’s strategic aim is long‑term financial sustainability and top‑10 status through inclusive governance, digital innovation and community value.
About Heriot‑Watt University
Heritor‑Watt University is a UK leader in innovation, business and industry research. The university offers a distinctive range of programmes across science, engineering, design, business and languages, and is the largest international university in Scotland.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Heritor‑Watt University is committed to creating a fair and inclusive workplace, offering equal opportunity and valuing diversity across its community.
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