Partnerships & Knowledge Exchange Manager (Engineering & Physical Sciences)

University of Sheffield; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days annual leave

Hybrid working

Generous pension

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is seeking a Partnerships & Knowledge Exchange Manager (Engineering & Physical Sciences) to work within the Research Partnerships & Innovation team on KE, impact and bid development. Hybrid, full-time, permanent role based in Sheffield.

You will support business development, manage relationships, coordinate KE funding, and help prepare high-impact case studies across Schools. Salary £39,560–£48,337 per annum; closing date 9 November 2026.

Qualifications

• A degree (or equivalent experience), ideally in a relevant discipline.
• Knowledge of Research Excellence Framework, Knowledge Exchange Framework and funder requirements for KE is desirable.
• Evidence of diplomacy, negotiation and influencing skills and ability to facilitate, develop and maintain long-term productive relationships.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills with a flexible, pragmatic approach.
• Ability to work independently, flexibly and collaboratively in a matrix management structure.

Responsibilities

• Work with RPI and the faculty to deploy understanding of REF to identify and support high-quality impact case studies.
• Use measuring and evaluating impact evidence to strengthen case study candidates.
• Provide a first point of contact on KE issues for academic Schools.
• Share opportunities and support funding bids for internal and external KE funds.
• Embed KE and Impact in research funding applications and support successful KE bids.
• Collaborate with professional services to set up and launch project processes.
• Guide academics in translating research into KE activities and bids, including public engagement.

Skills

Diplomacy

Negotiation

Influencing

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Independent working

Collaboration

Education

Degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Title

Partnerships & Knowledge Exchange Manager (Engineering & Physical Sciences)

Posting Start Date: 29/10/2026

School/Department: Research Partnerships & Innovation

Work Arrangement: Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary per annum (£): £39,560 - £48,337

Closing Date: 09/11/2026

About us

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

The Research, Partnerships & Innovation team (RPI) supports agreed University, Faculty and School priorities for research and innovation: income generation, research excellence, PGR experience, partnership development and knowledge exchange leading to income and/or impact and commercialisation of IP and student enterprise. Our focus is on delivering professional, value-add advice and support to our community of researchers and innovators. We are a well-connected team which understands the priorities of the organisation and our stakeholders, customers and the external environment in which we operate. Team members collaborate, reflect, develop their skills and have a risk-appropriate mindset of continuous improvement to our processes, policy and approach.

The Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange team for Engineering and Physical Sciences focuses on building partnerships in areas of research strength which will enable the University to secure income either directly or indirectly, and to lead on significant Knowledge Exchange bids.

Primary focus of this role is to

• Support the business development and prospecting of new relationships, strategic to the Faculty/Schools
• Support the delivery of a culture of KE, Innovation and Impact and support academics on their journey
• Support key areas of impact, in partnership with the Faculties and Schools
• Facilitate internal KE Funding calls and specific impact funds, share opportunities and support applications across Faculties and Schools
• Account management and growth of existing relationships
• Support strategic KE bid development
• Impact support focusing on readiness and development across Schools

Typical deliverables will include

• Facilitate internal KE Funding calls and specific impact funds, share opportunities and support applications across Faculties and Schools
• Account management and growth of existing relationships
• Support strategic KE bid development
• Impact support focusing on readiness and development across Schools

Main duties and responsibilities

• Work with colleagues in RPI and the faculty to ensure you deploy your understanding of REF to identify and support high quality impact case study candidates.
• Use your understanding of measuring and evaluating evidence of impact to strengthen impact case study candidates.
• Provide a first point of contact on knowledge exchange issues to an agreed set of academic Schools.
• Share opportunities and support funding bids for internal and external Knowledge Exchange funds with those Schools.
• Understand how to embed KE and Impact in research funding applications.
• Enable successful KE bids, alongside allied professional services as appropriate (e.g. finance, research support hubs), to ensure the efficient set up and launch of project processes and activities.
• Provide guidance and support to academics and researchers on translating research, innovation and education activities into KE (inc. concept, project and bid development, as well as public engagement, and developing relationships).
• Contribute to a culture of KE across the University, including the sharing of best practice and development and delivery of training.
• Signpost to (and work together with) allied professional services or other academics to support the development of KE projects.
• Monitor collaborations with external partners and provide peer support/advice as required e.g .on managing project and stakeholder risks and issues.
• Regularly share and receive information from interdisciplinary, faculty and departmental committees and across the Partnerships & KE Service on priority partners and projects.
• Support the organisation and delivery of knowledge exchange initiatives and events, including the continuous professional development of the service and its staff.
• As a member of our Professional Services staff you will demonstrate the behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

• A degree (or equivalent experience), ideally in a relevant discipline
• Knowledge of, or willingness to learn about, Research Excellence Framework, Knowledge Exchange Framework and funder requirements for KE
• Good understanding of types of knowledge exchange activities and how to deliver/support them
• Evidence of diplomacy, negotiation and influencing skills - and facilitating, developing and maintaining long term productive relationships.
• High level of problem solving and analytical skills, encompassing a flexible and pragmatic approach.
• Ability to work independently, flexibly and collaboratively in a matrix management structure - with an ability to understand and focus on end-user needs, prioritise workloads and adapt own skills to new circumstances.
• Evidence of appropriate attention to detail, but also the ability to elevate your thinking and approach to the bigger picture/objectives
• Evidence of ability to understand priorities at different levels in the organisation and to articulate RPI contribution appropriately
• Evidence that you form and maintain good professional working relationships and facilitates collaborative working practices with internal and external partners and stakeholders, demonstrating curiosity about and consideration for the needs, and views of others
• Evidence that you can make a constructive and productive contribution to both disciplinary (local) and multi-disciplinary teams with a focus on continuous improvement and user experience
• Willingness to travel and attend networking and public engagement events outside normal working hours as required.

Further Information

Grade: 7

Salary: £39,560 - £48,337. Potential to progress to £52,788 through sustained exceptional contribution.

Work arrangement: Full-time

Line manager: Partnerships & Knowledge Exchange Lead

Direct reports: None

Our website: https://sheffield.ac.uk/rpi

For informal enquiries about this job contact Gordon Bishop, Partnerships & Knowledge Exchange Lead on [e-mail] or on 0114 215 8778 (redirects to mobile)

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in mid to late November. This will consist of interviews, tests and a short presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 2 weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Paige Kenworthy on [e-mail].

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision.

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits.

We are a Disability Confident Leader. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date :09/11/2026

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.