Job Overview
Location: Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
This project is part of a £5 m Local Policy Innovation Partnership (FORTH2O) funded by UKRI over three years to explore water resource issues in the Forth Water Basin in Scotland. The partnership involves six universities, institutes, and over eighty stakeholder partners including Scottish Government, Scottish Water and SEPA. This role offers a unique opportunity to impact the health and wealth of businesses, communities, and ecosystems through innovative projects, challenges, and a £1.2 m commissioning fund.
The Research Partnership Manager will play a lead role in developing the partnership’s portfolio of activities, building strong relationships across academia, partners, and the wider UK and international community. The role focuses on strategic management, resource optimisation, programme monitoring, and financial administration. You will report to the Principal Investigator and work closely with the Research Partnership Officer, the Partnership Executive Group, and University staff to ensure smooth, compliant project delivery.
Responsibilities
* Manage strategy and resources to maximise the partnership’s potential through detailed oversight, motivation and facilitation of the successful delivery of the programme.
* Use professional project‑management software to support and monitor programme plans, ensuring delivery at key stages and goals, including budgeting, risk register, and compliance with partnership governance and management requirements.
* Liaise and build strong senior‑level relationships with the academic team and wider partnership, spanning organisations within Scotland, the UK and internationally.
* Prepare and maintain detailed project plans aligned to governance, monitoring and evaluation outlines; lead organisation of meetings, supporting attendance and participation of members.
* Prepare and present quarterly progress reports for the Partnership Executive Group (PEG), the internal Partnership Advisory Board (PAB) and other relevant stakeholders.
* Minute the PEG, PAB and other meetings, ensuring all agreed actions are followed up.
* Maintain financial reporting records and ensure financial management of the partnership’s activities complies with University regulations.
* Administer the distribution of the partnership commissioning fund and monitor delivery of funded projects and activities.
* Contribute to funding proposals and further funding opportunities as appropriate.
* Monitor and review the portfolio of intellectual property arising from LPIP/FORTH2O activities, identifying potential commercial opportunities.
* Develop and manage the administration of partnership events in collaboration with the Research Partnership Officer.
* Set objectives and provide day‑to‑day oversight and supervision for the Research Partnership Officer.
* Liaise with external stakeholders, UKRI partnership funders, third‑party evaluators and the LPIP Strategic Hub as directed.
* Undertake other duties as required, commensurate with the grade and nature of the role.
Essential Criteria
* Degree level education or equivalent experience across increasing levels of responsibility.
* Excellent project‑management and organisation skills with practical experience managing large projects, preferably in research or higher‑education contexts; experience in innovation and/or partnership development is desirable.
* Strong commitment to operational excellence and experience working within complex regulatory frameworks.
* Proven track record of effective project and event delivery on schedule and within diverse workloads.
* Highly organised, with attention to detail, accuracy and the ability to meet deadlines.
* Competence in supporting and monitoring partnership plans, preferably using professional project‑management software.
* Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, adaptable to different audiences.
Proven Ability To
* Work independently and with initiative, and thrive in team and collaborative contexts.
* Build proactive, productive, enduring relationships with internal and external bodies to benefit the partnership.
* Summarise complex ideas or information, which may be highly technical or specialist.
* Provide strategic advice and guidance relevant to the partnership and its development.
* Assess resource requirements and organise and secure resources effectively to meet project goals.
* Consider wider impact of decisions, assess likelihood of possible outcomes and use judgement with limited, ambiguous or complex data.
* Anticipate implementation difficulties and identify practical ways to overcome or prevent them.
* Initiate processes and procedures to resolve new problems.
* Apply current research landscape and policy context knowledge to partnership operations and development.
* Negotiate, persuade and motivate stakeholders.
* Use Microsoft Office 365 proficiently.
Desirable Criteria
* Post‑graduate degree in a relevant subject area.
* Professional project‑management training such as PRINCE2.
Additional Information
* Full time, fixed term until 31 December 2026.
* Closing date for applications: midnight on Tuesday 18 November 2025.
* Work is expected to be undertaken in the UK.
* Role is not eligible for sponsorship due to contract length; applicants must have a right to work in the UK.
* The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the campus and broader community. The university is committed to removing barriers and welcomes applications from people from diverse backgrounds, including gender, identity, race, age, class and ethnicity. Equality, diversity and inclusion are woven into the role.
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