Executive Director of Research, Innovation and Business Engagement

Executive Director of Research, Innovation and Business Engagement Apply
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 Professional Services Leadership Team (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

Additional Information

Full time.
Open ended.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Tuesday 6 May 2025.

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

For the purposes of sponsorship (SOC Code 2020: 1139)

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.

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 approached 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 of Stirling is currently implementing an agile working framework, a whole University approach, that is focused on a set of principles that facilitate a high-performance culture. Leaders and teams are empowered to co-create effective working practices that suit the business need and align to the agreed principles.

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 2024). 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 (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

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.

www.stir.ac.uk

Job number

SERV01978

Contract Type

Open Ended

Posting End Date

06-May-2025

Location:

Stirling Campus

Grade

Grade10 from £77,736 p.a.

Faculty/Service

Research, Innovation and Business Engagement

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 Professional Services Leadership Team (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

Additional Information

Full time.
Open ended.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Tuesday 6 May 2025.

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

For the purposes of sponsorship (SOC Code 2020: 1139)

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.

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 approached 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 of Stirling is currently implementing an agile working framework, a whole University approach, that is focused on a set of principles that facilitate a high-performance culture. Leaders and teams are empowered to co-create effective working practices that suit the business need and align to the agreed principles.

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 2024). 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 (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

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.

www.stir.ac.uk

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