Research and Knowledge Exchange Development Manager

Royal College of Art; Guelph; Hybrid; CAD 103,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university for art and design in London is seeking a dynamic Research and Knowledge Exchange Development Manager to enhance its research performance and drive funding applications. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in research development and experience in securing funding across UK and international schemes. This full-time role offers the opportunity to collaborate with various professionals to support innovative research and knowledge exchange activities.

Qualifications

• Confident communicator and experienced research development professional.
• Ability to translate complex funding requirements into actionable advice.
• Experience in the arts, humanities or design sectors is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Advise academics on developing research ideas for funding.
• Support bid development, including project scoping and budgeting.
• Facilitate collaborations with academic and business partners.

Skills

Strong track record in supporting successful research bids

Excellent knowledge of research funding

High-level organisational skills

Collaborative approach

Strategic mindset

Tools

Je-S

ResearchFish

Job description

Research and Knowledge Exchange Development Manager

Date advertised

5 September 2025

28 September 2025

School/Area

Research & Knowledge Exchange Office

Programme/Department

Research & Knowledge Exchange Office

Required hours

Full Time

Site

Battersea, London, United Kingdom/Hybrid

£55,040 per annum

This is a full-time post (0.8 FTE will be considered, for example to enable the post-holder to undertake research 0.2 FTE)

Job Title: Research & Knowledge Exchange Development Manager
Location: Royal College of Art, London
Contract: Full-time (0.8fte will be considered, for example to enable the post-holder to undertake research 0.2FTE), Permanent

The Royal College of Art, the world’s leading university for art and design, is seeking a dynamic and experienced Research & Knowledge Exchange Development Manager to join our Research & Innovation team.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in enhancing the RCA’s research performance and increasing income from external research and KE funding. You will work closely with the Head of Research Development and Head of Knowledge Exchange to support and drive high-quality funding applications, foster collaborations, and build strong relationships across the academic community and with key funders.

About the Role

You will act as a first point of contact for academic colleagues seeking external research and KE funding. Your responsibilities will include:

• Advising academics on developing research ideas and framing them for funders.
• Identifying and promoting suitable funding opportunities across UK, EU, and international schemes.
• Supporting bid development, including project scoping, budgeting, and draft feedback.
• Running internal peer review and funding processes.
• Supporting RCA’s strategic research and KE ambitions through pipeline development and proposal quality.
• Facilitating collaborations with academic and business partners.
• Monitoring funded projects, ensuring compliance, and supporting impact reporting.

You will work collaboratively across professional services including Finance and IT, and contribute to training, research strategy, internal reporting, and REF preparation.

About You

You will be a confident communicator and experienced research development professional with:

• Strong track record in supporting successful research and/or KE bids in a higher education or research environment.
• Excellent knowledge of research and KE funding in the UK and internationally.
• Familiarity with systems like Je-S, ResearchFish, and internal university funding pipelines.
• High-level organisational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities.
• A collaborative approach and ability to build strong working relationships with academic and professional colleagues alike.
• A strategic mindset with a passion for helping world-class researchers realise their ideas.

Experience in the arts, humanities or design sectors is desirable but not essential. What’s more important is your ability to translate complex funding requirements into clear, actionable advice for academic colleagues and to help shape research projects that succeed.

Why Join RCA?

With a rich history of innovation and impact, the RCA is home to a diverse, vibrant research community spanning art, design, architecture, humanities and innovation. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the heart of this community, contributing to transformative research and KE activity that shapes society, culture and industry.

Join us in supporting world-leading creativity through world-class research.

This role closes for applications at 11.59pm on Sunday 28th September 2025

We recognise the broad range of experiences that a diverse staff and student body brings and how this strengthens our research and enhances our teaching. In order for RCA to remain a world-leading institution we are committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles throughout all of our processes, from application through to appointment.

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Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2EU

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