Engagement Partner to support the Colleges of Social Science and Arts and Law.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in strengthening and expanding the University’s relationships with industry partners. You will be part of our Business Engagement and Research Impact (BERI) team, a dynamic group responsible for driving strategic industry partnerships, research impact, innovation activity, and regional collaboration.
Reporting to the Assistant Director, Research, Partnerships & Impact (Social Sciences and Arts and Law), you will work closely with academic leaders, Research Support Managers, specialist research support colleagues, and a central team of Business Engagement Partners. Together, you will help deliver a coherent and ambitious approach to business engagement that enhances research excellence, secures new income, and supports impactful collaboration.
What You Will Do
In this influential role, you will:
- Jointly lead the development and delivery of business‑engagement strategies across Social Sciences and Arts and Law.
- Proactively identify opportunities for collaboration and match internal expertise to external industry needs.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with major corporates, Small and Medium Enterprises, public funders, and regional partners.
- Support academic colleagues in developing high‑value partnerships, including preparing proposals, conducting due diligence, and facilitating contract negotiations.
- Drive the University’s wider Industry Engagement Strategy and Knowledge Exchange activity, enhancing our reputation with funders and employers.
- Work collaboratively across Professional Services to remove barriers to engagement and ensure smooth project delivery.
- Act as a credible ambassador for the University, representing the organisation across key networks.
About You
We are looking for a confident, strategic, and people‑focused professional with:
- Experience in planning and organising cross-sector collaboration opportunities, ensuring these are effectively managed to deliver against stretching targets.
- A strong understanding of the drivers of academic research, and how it can support business innovation.
- Experience of securing funding opportunities, as demonstrated by the development of funding applications, either within a University, industry or commercial partner.
- Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
- Experience working to ambitious KPIs and managing a pipeline of partnership opportunities.
- The ability to think both strategically and creatively, using sound judgement to drive forward complex projects.
- A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and sustainable working practices.
Experience of supporting applications to Innovate UK would be advantageous.
Why Join Us?
You will join a vibrant, supportive, and high‑performing professional community where your skills will make a measurable difference to research that improves our world. We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and extensive opportunities for professional development through the Birmingham Professional programme.
For more information about this role, please contact David Evans (d.evans.4@bham.ac.uk)
