Strategic Partner Manager

Newcastle University - NIHR Innovation Observatory (IO)

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

The Role
The Strategic Partner Manager will play a vital enabling role in supporting and strengthening the Innovation Observatory's external partnerships across the health, life sciences, care, and research ecosystem. The postholder will proactively manage the organisation's relationship portfolio to ensure that all engagement activities are strategically aligned, operationally efficient, and well-coordinated across teams.

Working collaboratively across internal teams including across all job families and roles, the postholder will support an extensive programme of cross-portfolio engagement initiatives and provide oversight of financial agreements and contracts that underpin strategic partnership contracts and activities. This includes aligning activities nationally across the National Institute of Health and Care infrastructure, alongside the health, life sciences and social care ecosystems to maximise the Innovation Observatory's ability to join up at a system level and reduce potential for duplication.

The role also contributes to identifying and advancing new partnership opportunities that align with and support the Innovation Observatory's long-term strategic vision. Regular travel and national-level representation of the Innovation Observatory will be required. Strong planning, organisational and project management skills are critical, alongside the ability to manage competing priorities, work independently, and make sound decisions under pressure.

The role reports directly to the External Relations and Knowledge Mobilisation Manger and will have line management responsibility for one our Engagement Coordinator(s).

The post is full-time, fixed-term until 31st March 2031.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dominic Lamb (dominic.lamb@newcastle.ac.uk) or Professor Dawn Craig (dawn.craig@newcastle.ac.uk).

To apply for this role, please submit a CV and covering letter with your application.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as business administration, project coordination, stakeholder engagement, communications, or health, life sciences or care.

Desirable

• Professional development or certification in CRM administration, stakeholder engagement, or project managements (e.g. Agile, PRINCE2, Waterfall).
• Data handling or information governance training and/or qualifications.