Director of KE and Business Engagement

Director of Knowledge Exchange & Business Engagement

University of Nottingham

Salary
: £93,700 to £114,500 per annum pro‑rata depending on skills and experience. Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance.

Area
:
Research & Innovation Strategy

Location
:
University Park

Closing Date
:
Friday 23 January 2026

Interview Date
:
Thursday 12 February 2026

Reference
: FAB
277425

This strategic leadership post is an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong background in business development and knowledge exchange. The Director of Knowledge Exchange & Business Engagement will play a crucial role in leveraging the university's research strengths and infrastructure to foster new partnerships and activities.

The successful candidate will be a visionary leader with a proven track record in delivering transformational results and leading teams to success. They should be comfortable working in various settings, including academic, corporate, charitable and government environments.

• Develop and deliver strong, mutually beneficial relationships with key partners from business and industry.
• Provide strategic oversight and leadership for business and regional engagement, knowledge transfer partnerships, faculty innovation teams, consultancy and IP commercialisation.
• Ensure the university continues to make a positive impact locally, nationally and internationally.
• Drive the implementation of the Knowledge Exchange Strategic Delivery Plan.
• Maximise the opportunities and impact of the university's knowledge exchange activities.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Knowledge Exchange Strategic Delivery Plan, ensuring strategic alignment with stakeholders, supporting IP and commercialisation efforts and chairing relevant boards.
• Lead the university's business development and knowledge exchange activities, fostering partnerships and maximising the impact of research and innovation locally, nationally and internationally, while ensuring strategic oversight and leadership across various engagement and commercialisation initiatives.
• Lead and optimise submissions to KE external performance frameworks, develop performance measurement frameworks and drive strategic plans, while maintaining awareness of external changes and adopting best practice.
• Oversee business engagement, funding applications and major KE-related funding bids, ensuring effective reporting and continuous improvement of Knowledge Exchange and Impact outcomes.
• Lead and support line managers to enhance team performance, foster collaboration and respect, build relationships with stakeholders, prepare reports, advise senior staff on R&I matters and act as an escalation point to resolve issues for the University's long‑term benefits.

Full time (36.25 hours per week). Applications are also welcome from candidates wishing to work part time – please specify your preferred hours in your application.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Niall O’Loughlin, Director of Research & Innovation Strategy (niall.o’). Please note, applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

Our university is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We welcome people of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and have achieved the Athena Swan Gold Award. Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas & Immigration.

Apply online.