96 Full time, Executive / Management jobs in Linlithgow, West Lothian

The Post

The Executive Director of Research, Innovation and Business Engagement (RIBE) at the University of Stirling will provide transformational leadership that will contribute to advancing the University's research and innovation ambitions, driving excellence across the institution. This pivotal role will spearhead the delivery of the University's Research and Innovation Strategy, whilst ensuring exceptional performance in REF2029 and maximising research and innovation impact. Our ambitions are to accelerate our recently designed multidisciplinary missions-oriented-research foundations, striving for an annual £40M R&I income and encouraging an innovative culture. 

Working in close partnership with the Deputy Principal Research and Innovation (DPR&I), the role holder will deliver robust frameworks to enhance research quality, secure strategic partnerships, and create sustainable pathways for innovation and knowledge exchange which are evidence-based and data-informed. The position offers an outstanding opportunity to shape Stirling's research ecosystem and accelerate its trajectory as a research-intensive institution.

The Executive Director of RIBE leads the RIBE directorate, playing a vital role in enabling institutional objectives and ambitions. As well as providing strategic direction by developing a compelling vision for the function, the role holder will be expected to foster an enabling service culture underpinned by an effective business partnering approach.

The Executive Director of RIBE reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary and is a member of the PSLT.

Description of Duties

Professional Leadership

• Inform the development of the University’s strategic objectives, contributing to the delivery of the enabling plans, with particular focus on embedding the new Research and Innovation Strategy
• Provide professional input to inform strategic decision-making as a part of the University’s senior team
• Contribute to the leadership of professional services through collaboration with peers and engagement in the Professional Services Leadership Team
• Work in partnership with academic leaders to align professional services with research and innovation priorities
• Lead cross-institutional initiatives to enhance research culture and environment
• Champion the University's research and innovation achievements to internal and external stakeholders

Directorate Leadership

• Provide visionary leadership to the RIBE directorate, fostering a high-performance culture focused on enabling research excellence and innovation that is objective and KPI-driven
• Lead and develop professional teams across research support, knowledge exchange, and business engagement functions, ensuring partnering approaches are pro-active and responsive
• Ensure implementation of effective business and data monitoring platforms 
• Drive continuous improvement through regular service review, culture and stakeholder feedback
• Ensure robust governance and compliance frameworks for research and innovation activities

Research Excellence

• Work with the DPR&I to lead the development and implementation of an ambitious research strategy aligned with REF2029, including establishing systematic preparation processes, output optimisation frameworks, and impact case development
• Drive continuous enhancement of research quality and environment through identifying targeted investment, mentorship programmes, and recruitment aligned with strategic priorities
• Establish robust research performance monitoring systems and implementation plans to track progress against key metrics and enable evidence-based decision-making
• Design and implement comprehensive support mechanisms to increase research income, including from Research Councils, industry partnerships, and international funding sources
• Oversee frameworks to identify and nurture emerging research strengths while sustaining existing areas of excellence

Innovation and Impact

• Develop with the DPR&I and implement a transformational innovation strategy that creates clear pathways from research to impact
• Establish new mechanisms to dramatically enhance knowledge exchange, including contemporary and efficient approaches to industry collaboration, IP commercialisation, licensing and startup creation
• Create sustainable innovation ecosystems that connect academic expertise with external partners and market opportunities that connect locally, regionally and across the globe
• Lead the development of impact acceleration programmes to increase the reach and significance of research outcomes

Business Engagement and Partnerships

• Foster strategic partnerships with industry, government, and international collaborators to enhance research capabilities and create new opportunities for knowledge exchange and innovation
• Secure major strategic investments and partnerships that align with the University's research priorities
• Represent the University in negotiations, influencing key stakeholders such as government bodies, UKRI, and funding organisations, ensuring the University’s strategic interests are well represented
• Build sustainable relationships with regional and national innovation networks and clusters, encouraging a VC fund that synergises with local enterprise ecosystems

Essential Criteria

This role represents an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of research and innovation at a dynamic institution such as Stirling with ambitious growth and impact plans. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with practical expertise to deliver transformational change in research excellence, innovation, and impact that is fiscally and operationally sustainable.

Successful candidates will demonstrate the following:

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Degree and equivalent professional experience
• Substantial strategic leadership experience in research and innovation management within higher education or industry
• Demonstrable track record of enabling research excellence and REF performance improvement
• Proven experience in developing and implementing successful innovation and impact strategies
• Evidence of building effective partnerships with major funding bodies and industry
• Track record of leading transformational change in complex organisations by evidenced-based data
• Deep understanding of the UK and EU research funding landscape and REF requirements
• Comprehensive understanding of REF2029 preparations and requirements
• Expert knowledge of research funding mechanisms and strategies
• Strong grasp of innovation and knowledge exchange best practices and an appetite for creativity and risk-taking
• Understanding of intellectual property and commercialisation processes
• Knowledge of impact measurement and evaluation methodologies
• Awareness of emerging trends in research policy and funding

Personal Attributes

• Leadership skills that engender a positive collaborative and collegiate culture, sustaining high performing and effective teams that engage with colleagues across the University with the ability to engage in a fast-changing policy and business environment
• Strong relationship building and stakeholder management skills
• Proven ability to influence the direction of organisational development, and to translate strategic goals into action
• Analytical critical thinking skills with well-developed emotional intelligence, sound judgement and political awareness
• Commercial acumen and business development capabilities
• Strong negotiating skills and ability to establish and achieve targets and monitor performance indicators
• Personal integrity, self-awareness and a commitment to personal development and self- reflection

For a full job description and details on how to apply please click on the 'apply' button.