The Post
Everywhere in the world people organize in relation to water. Its resources and assets provide essential 'goods' and 'services' and huge opportunities for the economy, society and communities. Harnessing these productively is a key route to optimising growth, value and community outcomes, as well as meeting important environmental goals.
This post is part of a £5m Local Policy Innovation Partnership project funded by UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) over 3 years to explore these issues in the Forth Water Basin in Scotland. The Partnership, called 'FORTH2O', involves six Universities and Institutes, as well as over eighty stakeholder partners (including Scottish Government, Scottish Water and SEPA). This is a hugely exciting opportunity to make a real difference for the health and wealth of our businesses, communities, and natural ecosystems. Through a range of innovative core projects; challenge, innovation and living 'labs'; and a commissioning fund of £1.2m to support new activity, the partnership will play a vital role in 'optimising outcomes' from the water system.
The Research Partnership Manager will take a lead role in developing the portfolio of Partnership activities, building strong relationships with the academic team and wider Partnership, spanning organisations within Scotland, the wider UK and internationally. The role will focus on managing strategy and resources to maximise the potential of the Partnership through detailed oversight and organisation (monitoring and supporting the progress of programme plans and finances to ensure delivery at all key stages). Reporting to the Principal Investigator for the project, they will work closely with the Research Partnership Officer (who will lead on building, developing and delivering effective strategies for information sharing, co-ordination and collaboration between Partnership members), with the Partnership Executive Group (to align activities to governance, monitoring and evaluation guidelines), with other partners to track activities and progress, and with professional services and academic faculty staff at the University of Stirling (to ensure smooth and compliant project administration)
Additional Information:
This role will be based primarily on campus at the University of Stirling, but will involve agile working within the University framework, including working away from the office as required to engage effectively with partners and stakeholders.
Description of Duties
* Manage strategy and resources to maximise the potential of the partnership through detailed oversight, motivation and facilitation of the successful delivery of the programme of work, in line with the proposition leading to the award
* Using professional project management software, to support and monitor the progress of programme plans to ensure delivery at the key stages and goals, including budget and financial reporting, risk register, and compliance with Partnership governance and management requirements
* Liaise and build strong relationships with the academic team and wider Partnership at a senior level, spanning organisations within Scotland, the wider UK and internationally, working with the Research Partnership Officer to build, develop and deliver effective strategies for information sharing, co-ordination and collaboration
* In collaboration with the Project Principal Investigator and Partnership Executive Group, prepare and maintain a detailed set of project plans, aligned to the governance, monitoring and evaluation outlines. Lead the organisation of meetings, supporting the attendance and participation of members
* Prepare and present quarterly progress reports for the Partnership Executive Group (PEG), internal Partnership Advisory Board (PAB) and other relevant stakeholders as may be required by the Project Principal Investigator
* Minute the Partnership Executive Group (PEG), internal Partnership Advisory Board (PAB) and other relevant meetings and ensure all agreed actions are taken forward
* In conjunction with the Research Post-Award Team, ensure appropriate financial reporting records are maintained and the financial management of the Partnership's activities complies with the University's Financial Regulations
* In conjunction with the Project Principal Investigator and UoS Contracts Team, to administer the distribution of the Partnership commissioning fund and monitor delivery of funded projects and activities
* Contribute as appropriate to the pursuit of further funding opportunities and proposals
* In conjunction with the Project Principal Investigator and UoS Business Development Team, to monitor and review the portfolio of intellectual property arising from LPIP/FORTH2O activities, in order to help identify potential commercial opportunities such as spin-outs, research, consultancy or CPD
* In conjunction with the Research Partnership Officer, to develop and manage the administration of Partnership events
* In conjunction with the Project Principal Investigator, to set objectives and provide day-to-day oversight and supervision for the Research Partnership Officer
* As directed by the Project Principal Investigator, liaise with external stakeholders including UKRI Partnership funders, third-party evaluators and the LPIP Strategic Hub
* Undertake such other duties as may be required, commensurate with the grade and nature of the role
Essential Criteria
* Educated to degree level or equivalent or employment experience across a range of roles with increasing levels of responsibility
* Excellent project management and organisation skills, with practical experience of managing large projects, preferably in a research or higher education setting, including experience of working successfully in the areas of innovation and/or partnership development
* Strong commitment to operational excellence, and experience of working successfully within complex regulations / frameworks
* Proven experience of effective delivery of projects and events to deadlines, within a complex and diverse workload
* Highly organised with the ability to work with strong attention to detail, accuracy, and within specified deadlines
* Competence and experience to support and monitor the progress of Partnership plans, preferably using professional project management software
* Excellent skills in communicating effectively at all levels, both orally and in writing, with the ability to communicate using a wide range of styles appropriate to different individuals, groups and situations
Proven ability to:
* Work independently and with initiative, but to also operate successfully in team and wider collaborative contexts
* Build proactively productive and enduring relationships between internal and/or external bodies to benefit the Partnership
* Summarise complex ideas or information, which may be highly detailed, technical or specialist
* Provide strategic advice and guidance relevant to the Partnership and its development
* Assess resource requirements, and to organise and secure resources effectively to meet project goals
* Consider the wider impact of decisions, assess the likelihood of possible outcomes and use judgement to make decisions with limited, ambiguous and/or complex data
* Anticipate possible implementation difficulties, and identify practical ways of overcoming or preventing them
* Initiate processes and procedures to resolve new problems
* Knowledge of the current research landscape and of the wider policy context, along with the capability to apply this knowledge to the appropriate operation and development of the Partnership
* Negotiation, persuasion and motivation skills
* IT skills, including proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office 365
Desirable Criteria
* Educated to post graduate level in a relevant subject area
* Professional training in project management, ideally a Formal project management qualification, such as PRINCE 2
Additional Information
Full time
Fixed term until 31 December 2026
The closing date for applications is midnight on Tuesday 18 November 2025.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
This role is not eligible for sponsorship due to contract length. Applicants require to have existing right to work in the UK.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
* Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
* Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
* Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
* Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
* Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
* Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
* Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
* Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
* Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
The University
The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.
The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,800 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence.
We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.
Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health and our Institute of Aquaculture
Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland's International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
Job Reference: FAC02073