In September 2025, Plymouth was named as one of five key national defence growth areas in the UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
Team Plymouth is a collaboration between key organisations, that aims to ensure that the city can exploit the unprecedented opportunities that being a “Defence deal city” creates for everyone living and working in Plymouth. This strategic partnership positions Plymouth to lead in defence, marine autonomy, and advanced manufacturing, securing its place at the forefront of national resilience and regional renewal.
The University leads the Team Plymouth Business, Innovation and Marine Autonomy (BIMA) workstream and is looking for an individual that will be responsible for managing its effective delivery. Employed by the University but seconded to the Team Plymouth partnership, you will work closely with colleagues from Babcock, MoD, Plymouth City Council and other partners to ensure successful delivery of a programme of initiatives that contribute to the achievement of Team Plymouth objectives, including through supporting the development of business cases as appropriate.
Working with Team Plymouth colleagues, and wider stakeholders, you will manage the development of business cases and plans to shape how the projects will be delivered within the workstream, in line with the vision and objectives of the Executive Board, and with input from the wider Programme Delivery Board. Collaborative working will be critical in shaping how projects will be delivered in a cost effective and efficient manner, ensuring the alignment with the wider programme and other workstreams. A key element of the role will be to ensure projects are delivered effectively and remain innovative and efficient
You will report internally to the Director of Research, Partnerships and Innovation within the University but will work closely with the Team Plymouth delivery team.
Please demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.
For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Adrian Dawson by email at
This is a full-time position working 37 hours a week on a fixed-term basis for 2 years due to funding.
For this role, you will need to be on site 2 days a week. Although we can accommodate hybrid working, flexibility to be on-site will be expected depending on business needs.
Flexible working options including job share will be considered.
Application Process
Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.
Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course. Interviews are likely to take place early in the new year.
Our Offer
When joining us, you will receive:
* Generous annual leave: 35 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays & Closure Days
* Generous pension scheme
* Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Development opportunities
* Enhanced family leave
* Flexible working
* Retailer discounts
* On-site nursery
A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed .
Additional Information
The University of Plymouth is an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed regardless of their background. To find out more about our inclusive community initiatives, such as Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter, please visit our .
A successful external candidate for this position would be employed by the University of Plymouth Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Plymouth. Employees of the University of Plymouth Services Limited work alongside the University of Plymouth colleagues in delivery of Plymouth’s strategic vision, and will adopt the University of Plymouth’s HR policies and procedures in full unless otherwise stated.