Business Engagement & Development Officer

Business Engagement & Development Officer Apply Post Details

Full time, Open ended

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 05 February 2023.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a role under SOC code 3543

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.

The Post

The Business Engagement & Development Officer will coordinate a wide range of business engagement and development activity to support the expansion of the University's portfolio of commercial research services, consultancy and CPD, with a focus on maximising the revenue potential and enhancing the University's reach in terms of the application of its research expertise in pursuit of strategic objectives.

The role holder will identify the range of commercial opportunities, support the development of commercial offerings to take advantage of these opportunities and develop business pipelines. Specific responsibilities may include, for example, supporting the University's participation in the UK Government-backed 'Help to Grow' scheme; and supporting the University's Graduate Apprenticeship Programme.

Reporting to the Head of Business Engagement & Development, the role holder will identify a range of engagement opportunities on an ongoing basis, support the establishment of those relationships to develop business pipeline. They will also work closely with the other Business Engagement & Development Officers within the team, the Enterprise Programme Manager and the wider Research, Innovation & Business Engagement directorate, as well as colleagues from Academic Faculties, Communications, Marketing & Recruitment, and other relevant academic and professional staff.

Description of Duties

Design and deliver a university-wide programme to identify commercial research, consultancy and CPD opportunities, focusing on maximising research impact and revenue potential

Deliver effective business engagement in order to create a sustained pipeline of opportunities

Deliver the engagement and development aspects of proposals in relation to commercial opportunities ensuring that they meet customer need and provide the appropriate revenue return for the University

Lead on the support for the University's participation in the UK Government-backed 'Help to Grow' scheme to support economic recovery, working directly with the University's Management School and other Business Engagement and Development Officers

Coordinate support for the ongoing development of the University's Graduate Apprenticeship Programme

Manage the development of appropriate marketing collateral to support business engagement and development activities

Lead on the development and implementation of policy and best practice in the area of commercialising research including systematic review and improvement of existing, and the development and introduction of appropriate new, policies and practices

Monitor and review the University's portfolio of intellectual property in order to identify and pursue commercial opportunities

Lead engagement with academic faculties and professional service areas to identify and increase engagement with business to support achievement of commercial opportunities and increase related income

Develop and deliver effective support when commercial research scenarios present enterprise/company creation opportunities in the form of spin-outs etc., working with the Enterprise Programme Manager in relation to appropriate enterprise support

Establish a structure that provides equity-holding opportunities for the University in the spin-out companies created

Coordinate, contribute to, and prepare briefing papers, reports, proposals and other information on issues relating to commercial research activity. Provide officer support for appropriate committees and working groups ensuring that agreed actions are implemented

Co-ordinate and prepare University submissions and responses as required to the Scottish Funding Council and other external agencies on matters relating to commercial research activity

Maintain, contribute to, and disseminate current expert knowledge of national and international issues in commercial research, consultancy and CPD

Work with the Research Development and Performance Team to identify potential opportunities within current or proposed research projects

Deputise for the Head of Business Engagement & Development as required

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

Considerable practical experience in a directly relevant role, ideally within the HE or funder sector, including experience of working successfully in the area of business engagement and development

Experience of working successfully within complex regulations / framework

Knowledge of the current business landscape and of the wider context relevant to Higher Education, along with the capability to understand the impact on the ongoing operation and development of the role's area of responsibility

Competence and experience to deliver high quality business engagement and development support, with a strong commitment to operational excellence, customer care and experience

Ability to initiate processes and procedures to resolve new problems. Anticipates possible implementation difficulties and identifies practical ways of overcoming or preventing them

Proven ability to provide advice and guidance relevant to business development

Proven ability to summarise complex ideas or information which may be highly detailed, technical or specialist

Highly organised with the ability to work with strong attention to detail, accuracy, and within specified deadlines

Proven experience of effective delivery of projects and events to deadlines within complex and diverse workload

Ability to consider the wider impact of decisions and assesses likelihood of possible outcomes and use judgement to make decisions with limited or ambiguous data and taking into account multiple factors. Distinguishes between the need to make a decision, when to defer and when not to take a decision

Excellent skills in communicating effectively at all levels both verbally and in writing, with the ability to communicate using a wide range of styles appropriate to different individuals, groups and situations

Ability to work independently and with initiative, but to also operate successfully in team and wider collaborative contexts

Ability to build proactively productive and enduring relationships with internal and/or external contacts to benefit the University

IT skills, including proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office 365

Desirable Criteria

Relevant post-graduate degree

Professional training, ideally a formal qualification delivered by a professional body, such as ARMA or Praxis AURIL

Participation within external HE research funding networks, groups and bodies

Operational knowledge of research funding systems

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.

About Us

The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Business Engagement works in partnership with Faculties, other Professional Services, and a wide range of external stakeholders to support and enhance the University's research and innovation performance. The University is committed to making a difference through our research, generating new ideas, insights and approaches that address the complex challenges and issues that are faced by human society. Supporting and enabling achievement of the strategic objectives set by the University for delivering research with impact is our core mission. The Directorate provides a full range of services in research and innovation strategy and policy; research funding and development; research governance and integrity; researcher development for staff and postgraduate researchers; contract and legal support; systems, data and analysis; research evaluation; innovation, commercialisation and knowledge exchange; enterprise, company creation and growth; and engagement with businesses and other research and innovation partner organisations. Responsibility for delivering the range of transformational projects within the University's City Region and Growth Deal programme is embedded within the Directorate. We work closely with the Deputy Principal for Research, the Dean of the Institute for Advanced Studies, the Dean for Research Engagement and Performance, and academic leaders throughout the organisation.

The University

Ranked among the UK's 40 best universities in the Complete University Guide, 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 – addressing real issues, providing solutions and helping to shape society.

Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021). Interdisciplinary in its approach, Stirling's research informs its teaching curriculum and facilitates opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration between staff, students, industry partners and the wider community.

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 20 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 10 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 120 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The campus – also home to 1,700 staff – has its own loch and castle, and a recent multi-million-pound redevelopment has delivered modern, flexible, and digitally connected study and social spaces at the heart of campus, including enhanced student support and retail and catering outlets.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019). Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence and its recently redeveloped world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University's sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

As a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, the University is driving productivity and inclusive growth across the Forth Valley, and beyond. Through pioneering collaborative solutions to global challenges, researchers are putting innovation, skills, and partnership at the heart of a sustainable economic recovery.

www. stir.ac.uk @stiruni

Job number

SERV01577

Contract Type

Open Ended

Closing date

05-Feb-2023

Location:

Stirling Campus

Grade

Grade7 £35,333-£42,155 p.a.

Faculty/Service

Research, Innovation and Business Engagement Post Details

Full time, Open ended

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 05 February 2023.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a role under SOC code 3543

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.

The Post

The Business Engagement & Development Officer will coordinate a wide range of business engagement and development activity to support the expansion of the University's portfolio of commercial research services, consultancy and CPD, with a focus on maximising the revenue potential and enhancing the University's reach in terms of the application of its research expertise in pursuit of strategic objectives.

The role holder will identify the range of commercial opportunities, support the development of commercial offerings to take advantage of these opportunities and develop business pipelines. Specific responsibilities may include, for example, supporting the University's participation in the UK Government-backed 'Help to Grow' scheme; and supporting the University's Graduate Apprenticeship Programme.

Reporting to the Head of Business Engagement & Development, the role holder will identify a range of engagement opportunities on an ongoing basis, support the establishment of those relationships to develop business pipeline. They will also work closely with the other Business Engagement & Development Officers within the team, the Enterprise Programme Manager and the wider Research, Innovation & Business Engagement directorate, as well as colleagues from Academic Faculties, Communications, Marketing & Recruitment, and other relevant academic and professional staff.

Description of Duties

Design and deliver a university-wide programme to identify commercial research, consultancy and CPD opportunities, focusing on maximising research impact and revenue potential

Deliver effective business engagement in order to create a sustained pipeline of opportunities

Deliver the engagement and development aspects of proposals in relation to commercial opportunities ensuring that they meet customer need and provide the appropriate revenue return for the University

Lead on the support for the University's participation in the UK Government-backed 'Help to Grow' scheme to support economic recovery, working directly with the University's Management School and other Business Engagement and Development Officers

Coordinate support for the ongoing development of the University's Graduate Apprenticeship Programme

Manage the development of appropriate marketing collateral to support business engagement and development activities

Lead on the development and implementation of policy and best practice in the area of commercialising research including systematic review and improvement of existing, and the development and introduction of appropriate new, policies and practices

Monitor and review the University's portfolio of intellectual property in order to identify and pursue commercial opportunities

Lead engagement with academic faculties and professional service areas to identify and increase engagement with business to support achievement of commercial opportunities and increase related income

Develop and deliver effective support when commercial research scenarios present enterprise/company creation opportunities in the form of spin-outs etc., working with the Enterprise Programme Manager in relation to appropriate enterprise support

Establish a structure that provides equity-holding opportunities for the University in the spin-out companies created

Coordinate, contribute to, and prepare briefing papers, reports, proposals and other information on issues relating to commercial research activity. Provide officer support for appropriate committees and working groups ensuring that agreed actions are implemented

Co-ordinate and prepare University submissions and responses as required to the Scottish Funding Council and other external agencies on matters relating to commercial research activity

Maintain, contribute to, and disseminate current expert knowledge of national and international issues in commercial research, consultancy and CPD

Work with the Research Development and Performance Team to identify potential opportunities within current or proposed research projects

Deputise for the Head of Business Engagement & Development as required

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

Considerable practical experience in a directly relevant role, ideally within the HE or funder sector, including experience of working successfully in the area of business engagement and development

Experience of working successfully within complex regulations / framework

Knowledge of the current business landscape and of the wider context relevant to Higher Education, along with the capability to understand the impact on the ongoing operation and development of the role's area of responsibility

Competence and experience to deliver high quality business engagement and development support, with a strong commitment to operational excellence, customer care and experience

Ability to initiate processes and procedures to resolve new problems. Anticipates possible implementation difficulties and identifies practical ways of overcoming or preventing them

Proven ability to provide advice and guidance relevant to business development

Proven ability to summarise complex ideas or information which may be highly detailed, technical or specialist

Highly organised with the ability to work with strong attention to detail, accuracy, and within specified deadlines

Proven experience of effective delivery of projects and events to deadlines within complex and diverse workload

Ability to consider the wider impact of decisions and assesses likelihood of possible outcomes and use judgement to make decisions with limited or ambiguous data and taking into account multiple factors. Distinguishes between the need to make a decision, when to defer and when not to take a decision

Excellent skills in communicating effectively at all levels both verbally and in writing, with the ability to communicate using a wide range of styles appropriate to different individuals, groups and situations

Ability to work independently and with initiative, but to also operate successfully in team and wider collaborative contexts

Ability to build proactively productive and enduring relationships with internal and/or external contacts to benefit the University

IT skills, including proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office 365

Desirable Criteria

Relevant post-graduate degree

Professional training, ideally a formal qualification delivered by a professional body, such as ARMA or Praxis AURIL

Participation within external HE research funding networks, groups and bodies

Operational knowledge of research funding systems

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.

About Us

The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Business Engagement works in partnership with Faculties, other Professional Services, and a wide range of external stakeholders to support and enhance the University's research and innovation performance. The University is committed to making a difference through our research, generating new ideas, insights and approaches that address the complex challenges and issues that are faced by human society. Supporting and enabling achievement of the strategic objectives set by the University for delivering research with impact is our core mission. The Directorate provides a full range of services in research and innovation strategy and policy; research funding and development; research governance and integrity; researcher development for staff and postgraduate researchers; contract and legal support; systems, data and analysis; research evaluation; innovation, commercialisation and knowledge exchange; enterprise, company creation and growth; and engagement with businesses and other research and innovation partner organisations. Responsibility for delivering the range of transformational projects within the University's City Region and Growth Deal programme is embedded within the Directorate. We work closely with the Deputy Principal for Research, the Dean of the Institute for Advanced Studies, the Dean for Research Engagement and Performance, and academic leaders throughout the organisation.

The University

Ranked among the UK's 40 best universities in the Complete University Guide, 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 – addressing real issues, providing solutions and helping to shape society.

Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021). Interdisciplinary in its approach, Stirling's research informs its teaching curriculum and facilitates opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration between staff, students, industry partners and the wider community.

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 20 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 10 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 120 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The campus – also home to 1,700 staff – has its own loch and castle, and a recent multi-million-pound redevelopment has delivered modern, flexible, and digitally connected study and social spaces at the heart of campus, including enhanced student support and retail and catering outlets.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019). Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence and its recently redeveloped world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University's sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

As a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, the University is driving productivity and inclusive growth across the Forth Valley, and beyond. Through pioneering collaborative solutions to global challenges, researchers are putting innovation, skills, and partnership at the heart of a sustainable economic recovery.

www. stir.ac.uk @stiruni