Programme Director (Local Innovation Partnership Fund)

Plymouth University; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Pension scheme

Cycle to Work

Employee assistance

Development opportunities

Enhanced family leave

Flexible working

Retailer discounts

On-site nursery

Job summary

The University of Plymouth Services Limited is seeking a Programme Director to lead the £20m Great South West Global Autonomy Cluster LIPF programme in the South West. You will report to the Director of Research, Partnerships and Innovation and work across the University to drive strategy and delivery.

This is a full-time, fixed-term role (37 hours per week) for 5 years, with on-site presence required 3 days a week. You will develop partnerships with industry and public bodies to maximise impact.

Qualifications

• Strong political awareness and ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Track record delivering regional innovation programmes with multiple partners.
• Operate with a high degree of professional autonomy.

Responsibilities

• Oversee effective delivery of LIPF programme objectives to meet funder requirements.
• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with industry, public sector and communities.
• Engage regional, national and international partners to align with wider initiatives.

Skills

Political awareness

Stakeholder management

Regional delivery

Autonomy

Job description

Could you lead a major collaborative programme working across the South West region to support the growth of autonomy?

We are looking for an experienced Programme Director with a track record of success in the delivery of innovation, business engagement and regional development initiatives and workng with multiple partners

About the role:

Reporting internally to the Director of Research, Partnerships and Innovation, co-located within the Faculty of Science and Engineering but responsible to a triple helix LIPF Programme Board, the Local Innovation Partnership Fund (LIPF) Director is a senior role responsible for the strategic leadership, and the successful delivery of the UKRI funded Great South West Global Autonomy Cluster LIPF programme. This is a £20m five-year programme which aims to grow the regional autonomy cluster, working with a range of partners across the geography.

Your role as Programme Director will include:

• have overall responsibility for the effective delivery of the LIPF programme objectives, ensuring that it meets the requirements of the funder.
• lead the identification, development and management of strategic partnerships with industry, public sector and community organisations to ensure aligned and effective delivery of a coherent portfolio of high-impact, place-based cluster / R&D interventions.
• be responsible for strategic engagement with regional, national and international partnerships to promote the LIPF programme and ensure it aligns with wider initiatives and identifies opportunities to develop further projects, working closely with academic leaders, and external stakeholders to co-create programmes and secure investment.

For this role, you will need to be on site 3 days a week. Although we can accommodate working from home for this role, flexibility to be on-site will be expected due to business needs.

Full time, fixed term role working 37 hours per week for 5 years due to funding.

What we’re looking for:

You should have:

• strong political awareness
• the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments
• a track record of successful delivery of regional innovation programmes involving multiple partners
• operating with a high degree of professional autonomy

Our Offer:

A successful external candidate for this position would be employed by the University of Plymouth Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Plymouth. Employees of the University of Plymouth Services Limited work alongside the University of Plymouth colleagues in delivery of Plymouth’s strategic vision, and will adopt the University of Plymouth’s HR policies and procedures in full unless otherwise stated.

We have a wide range of staff benefits available to employees, depending on eligibility:

• Generous annual leave: 35 Days Annual Leave (pro rata if part-time) plus Bank Holidays* & Closure Days*
• Generous pension scheme
• Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave
• Flexible working
• Retailer discounts
• On-site nursery

*Pro rata if part-time/fixed term contract

A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed .

Additional Information:

The University of Plymouth is building an inclusive and equitable university where everyone feels represented, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is guided by the Inclusive Institutions Framework, a strategic and externally validated approach that embeds these principles across the entire institution. To find out more please visit our

Closing date: Monday 16th November 2026 at 12 o’clock midnight