University of Leeds
Research and Innovation Development Manager
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Senior Research and Innovation Officer Government and Industry Engagement
Location University Campus – with scope for hybrid working and flexible arrangements
Interviews Expected: 3rd August 2026
About the Role
Are you a passionate Research and Innovation professional with experience in securing high-impact funding applications? Are you eager to drive climate-related research while fostering strong academic, policy, and industry partnerships within one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities?
This is an exciting opportunity to develop, deliver, and shape strategic research funding bids from both national and international sources to support the University’s bold ambitions. You will work closely with academics, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, helping to align research excellence with real-world impact.
Key Responsibilities
-
University Wide Engagement
- Establish a prominent University-wide profile and build strong academic partnerships to enhance national and international research funding applications.
- Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring alignment with the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures and wider Research and Innovation Service goals.
-
Funding Strategy & Support
- Advise academics on securing government, charity, and institutional funding (including UK Research Councils and Impact Acceleration Accounts).
- Lead on knowledge-exchange initiatives, including:
- Supporting contract research, consultancy, and collaborative projects with businesses.
- Developing and promoting research skills training programmes.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
-
Stakeholder & Partnership Development
- Cultivate relationships with policymakers, academics, and industry to foster a culture of innovation.
- Work with colleagues to streamline services across all research activities, ensuring cohesive support for the university’s mission.
-
Proposal Development & Management
- Enhance proposal quality, ensuring alignment with institutional and strategic priorities.
- Deliver complex and large-scale funding applications within tight deadlines.
- Support the University’s skills development and research performance needs.
-
Cross-Campus Collaboration
- Operate effectively as part of multiple dynamic teams, adapting to public and private sector research environments.
- Ensure smooth integration across Research and Innovation Development, policy engagement, and commercialisation efforts.
Key Requirements
- Strong track record in developing successful funding applications (especially with government and industry partners).
- Experience working with interdisciplinary academic teams and leading successful collaborations.
- Excellent project and stakeholder management skills with performance-based partnership development.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, research-intensive environment with fluctuating demands.
- A proactive, entrepreneurial mind-set with clear communication and relationship-building abilities.
- Familiarity with UK funding schemes and policy priorities (e.g., levelling up, climate research, industry-academia partnerships).
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
- Eligibility Note This role may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Visa route. For further details, including visa concessions, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
What We Offer
Work-Life Balance & Support
- 26 days’ holiday + ~16 Bank Holiday/closure days (total ~42 days leave per year).
- Extensive pension plan with life assurance options.
- Additional support during parental leave and flexible or part-time opportunities if applicable.
Wellbeing & Personal Development
- Discounted gym membership through The Edge (facilities include a pool, fitness suite, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls).
- Access to high-quality Organisational Development and Training courses.
- On-site childcare and family-friendly policies available.
Career & Service Enhancement
- Industrywide collaborative research networks, including shopper discounts and travel schemes.
- Opportunities to contribute to leading industry reports, consultations, and impact-related fora.
Contact Us
For further information or to discuss the role in more detail, please email:
Dr Lee Mason —— Head of Research Development
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location