Associate Provost, Industry Engagement

Job details

Department

Innovation and Research

Responsible to

Provost, Innovation and Research

Salary

£90,726 to £113,408 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £130,419 per annum)

Closing date

Sunday 14 April 2024

Contract type

Permanent

Post type

Full-time

Adaptive working type

Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework .

Reference

0075-24

About the role

Located in the heart of England, the University of Derby is the only university in Derbyshire, and offers industry-relevant, expert teaching, from foundation and undergraduate degrees to postgraduate study and research. A Top 50 UK University (Guardian University Guide 2023), with our recently awarded TEF Gold placing us in the top 20% of English universities for learning and teaching and student outcomes, the University of Derby also boasts world-leading research that demonstrates real-world impact.   

At Derby, we have a long-established reputation as a strong regional university, and our profile and influence continue to grow at pace both nationally and internationally. This excellence is underpinned by industry-relevant and applied research, innovation and skills activity which impacts directly on our students, staff, stakeholders and wider community. We are a place-based institution with a national and global outlook that delivers outstanding opportunities and outcomes for our students.   

A robust, insights-driven and University-wide approach to industry engagement is critical to enabling our continued success and the fulfilment of our strategic ambitions. As Associate Provost for Industry Engagement you will be joining an institution that understands and values the life-changing power of education. As a key leader, strategic thinker, and effective collaborator the post-holder will have a prominent role in ensuring that the University’s approach to industry engagement is best placed to deliver against the aims and ambitions outlined in our Strategic Framework and Institutional Success Measures.    

By leading the Industry Engagement and Employability department, the post-holder will ensure that the University has in place the industrial engagement framework necessary to establish, develop and continue relationships with key strategic partners. Central to this will be their ability to provide senior representation in discussions with key external partners at national and international stakeholder committees, leading focus on the University’s innovation and industry engagement. The Associate Provost will focus on driving forward the organisation’s capabilities to commercialise the University’s activities and resources. This is a role that holds significant leadership and influence, reporting directly to the Provost Innovation and Research and working closely with the University Executive Board and University Leadership Group.    

A confident and motivational leader with demonstrable experience managing high performing teams to deliver impact across a complex ecosystem, the Associate Provost – Industry Engagement will foster an entrepreneurial culture, underpinned by efficient and effective systems and processes which support high-performance, to ensure that the University is best placed to deliver against the aims and ambitions outlined in the Strategic Framework. Critically, they will share our values as an inclusive University that is passionate about social mobility and affording all our students the best possible opportunity to excel,  and will evidence a leadership style that fosters positive team spirit and high staff engagement.   

We would welcome applications from candidates with the qualifications and experience to undertake this role. We are committed to being a fully inclusive and diverse community. The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population. 

Principal accountabilities

Lead on all aspects of Industry Engagement across the University, influencing Colleges and departments to engage internal stakeholders.

Collaborate with strategic partners to create the conditions and environment for translating innovation from the University.

Develop effective industry engagement and employability strategies for the University that align to our strategic framework and the relevant ISMs.

Identify strategic opportunities to increase industry engagement and influence the wider university to engage and develop these opportunities.

Lead the establishment, development, and ongoing liaison with key strategic partners regionally, nationally, and globally to deliver increased opportunity to the University, resulting in the achievement of ambitious targets for growth of income from external sources.

Provide senior representation for the University in discussions with industry, promoting the University to external funders and stakeholders (including individuals at Board and other senior levels) and acting as the key contact for external stakeholders in their engagement with the University.

Represent the University at key national and international forums to establish our reputation as a leading university for innovation and industry engagement.

Increase the University’s engagement and success in major strategic bids to support industry engagement.

Lead a sector leading industry engagement unit in the institution that will ensure there are the quantity and quality of relationships to achieve our strategic ambitions in REF, KEF and TEF.

Increase the capability of the organisation to commercialise the University’s activities and resources.

Collaborate with college and professional Services leads to strengthen the innovation environment and prepare high-potential research outcomes for effective application to industry.

Implement seamless support services for industry engagement through effective coordination and optimised business processes across the University’s Professional Services (including links with the Directorates of Finance, Student Experience, Legal Services, etc).

Collaborate with academic areas, estates, and IT to coordinate infrastructure plans to support University, Regional and National strategies on developing Innovation Ecosystems.

Provide professional advice and contribution to appropriate committees and academic colleagues to enhance industry engagement and employability.

Provide motivational leadership, line management and development for staff in areas of responsibility, ensuring that local strategic and operational plans are aligned to the University’s strategic framework and corporate objectives.

Enable efficient and effective systems and processes which support a high-performance culture operate throughout areas of responsibility. Ensure that objectives and outcomes can be measured and monitored, emphasising direct links to the University’s success measures.

Ensure that diversity and inclusion are integral to the culture and activities in areas of responsibility and across the University.

Person specification
Essential Criteria
Qualifications

• Professorial or equivalent standing, with an academic profile and research track record commensurate with a senior academic leadership post.
• Good degree and PhD or equivalent experience working in industry on innovation or research.
• Evidence of relevant continuous professional development and active memberships or affiliations with relevant external associations or networks.

Experience

• Extensive experience of operating strategically at senior management level within a Higher Education environment
• Significant track record of delivering income generation against financial income generation targets.
• Experience of leading industry engagement activity across a large institution leading to successful outcomes for key stakeholders
• Experience of leading teams and of engaging and inspiring peers and senior stakeholders outside direct area of influence to reach institutional goals and meet customer requirements.
• Previous commercial experience, including exploitation of intellectual property protection with a track record of improving income generation.
• Experience of improving student and graduate outcomes through developing and embedding effective careers and employability strategies in Higher Education
• Experience of leading policy developments and operationalising them into tangible actions that drive significant improvements in institutional outcomes.
• Strong business and commercial acumen and track record of success through working with industry and commerce.
• Ability to manage resources against a budget and targets and to create and deploy strategic business plans.
• Track record of working with local government and the region to align partners strategies and meet institutional priorities.

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Innovative and dynamic approach to work and with a completer/finisher mindset in delivery of activities.
• Well-developed inspirational leadership, influencing and people management skills.
• Knowledge of Graduate Outcomes, OfS and current policy related to careers and employability in Higher Education.
• Knowledge of a wide portfolio of funding sources and how to access them.
• A good understanding of the working of higher education institutions (across School, College, and Institutional levels where appropriate), the opportunities for business engagement across all aspects of the University’s mission, and the nature of academic drivers/priorities and their variance between disciplinary contexts
• Comprehensive understanding of the current issues and future developments related to Business Engagement and Employability, with awareness of key upcoming challenges and opportunities.
• Proven ability to build relationships, communicate, influence, and negotiate effectively on a wide range of issues with different stakeholders internally and externally at a local and national level.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the proven ability to develop high quality, audience appropriate written papers and strategies.
• Ability to strategically analyse and interpret complex policy documents and technical guidance, including financial guidance, and assess its impact on the University.
• Knowledge of audit and financial compliance and audit issues/risk associated with external funding.
• Ability to develop and maintain networks and professional relationships at a senior level.

Business requirements

• Willingness and ability to travel and work outside of normal working hours is a key part of this role.

Benefits

As well as competitive pay scales, we offer generous holiday entitlement. We also offer opportunities for further salary progression based on performance, and the opportunity to join a contributory pension scheme.

Find out more about pay and rewardsFind out more about pay and rewards

How to apply

Perrett Laver have been exclusively returned for this appointment, visit Perrett Laver: Associate Provost, Industry Engagement  for more information.

Informal enquiries regarding this opportunity are welcome, and should be made to Research Associate, [email protected]  or +44 (0) 20 3928 7375. 

Important information

This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI ; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£38,700 per annum).

If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:

• Your job is on the Immigration Skills List

• You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training

• You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job

• You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.

For more information, visit Applying from Overseas .

What is Adaptive Working?

Adaptive working is about enabling a high-performing, flexible, and responsive work culture where the place, time, and manner of working are tailored to the specific work activity. This approach ensures that the working environment, including both physical and social surroundings, supports employees to perform at their best and meet the university's evolving needs.

In addition, adaptive working involves intentionally designing workspaces to support a range of activities and disciplines, providing the right environment for meaningful in-person connections and effective collaboration. This includes ensuring that employees have access to the necessary equipment and resources from their first day at the university.

Adaptive working encompasses different modes of working such as site-based, remote or hybrid working. It is a broad framework within which all staff can operate effectively according to their role.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

A university that celebrates youA university that celebrates you

Further details

Download Associate Provost, Industry Engagement job descriptionDownload Associate Provost, Industry Engagement job description

Why join Derby?

Challenging, interesting and constantly changing, the University of Derby is an extraordinary place to learn and an incredibly rewarding place to work.

Find out more about working at the UniversityFind out more about working at the University

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.