RIG Strategy Manager

The University of Glasgow; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme benefits

41 days annual leave

Flexible working

Health and wellbeing support

Job summary

The University of Glasgow is seeking a senior manager to grow and sustain its XR operations within the RIG centre. The post-holder will own strategic XR initiatives, engage with researchers and educators, and line-manage the XR Lab Manager to deliver on the centre’s goals.

You will identify funding opportunities, build partnerships, and report on KPIs while guiding multi-year budgets and cross-institution collaboration for XR in teaching and research.

Qualifications

• A1 Degree level management knowledge with professional experience in a similar role.
• A2 Knowledge of technology-enhanced learning and UK funding landscape.
• A3 Strong understanding of XR/3D technologies and technical standards.
• D2 Power BI and course design skills are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategy for XR expansion across research and teaching.
• Provide expert advice on XR/3D tech use in learning and teaching.
• Line manage the XR Lab Manager and coordinate with RCaaS and governance boards.
• Identify funding opportunities and prepare research proposals with partners.
• Define KPIs and report on resource use, user satisfaction and funding success.

Skills

Planning & Organisation

Grant writing

Flexibility

Creative problem solving

Interpersonal communication

Initiative

Negotiation

Project management

Numeracy

XR technology knowledge

Education technology

Education

Relevant degree or higher (SCQF 9-11)

Professional qualification in learning technology

Job description

Job Purpose

This job is to support the continued success and growth of the University of Glasgow’s outstanding XR technology operations under the Realities and Immersion Glasgow (RIG) centre. The post-holder will work closely with the centre’s Business Development Manager and under the direction of the University’s RIG centre to identify and develop new opportunities that leverage and drive utilisation of UofG’s extraordinary XR facilities – ARC-XR and the XR teaching lab at Partick Burgh Halls. The post-holder will have strategic ownership of new projects and initiatives across research and teaching. This role will require building excellent relationships across both the research and learning & teaching functions of the University, and engaging with internal and external stakeholders in order to build a thriving and sustainable portfolio of XR services and projects. The post holder will have line management responsibilities over the XR Lab Manager who handles the daily operations of XR facilities at the University.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. To contribute to the development and implementation of University & IS strategy through implementation of effective strategic plans, as well as financial and operational policies relating to the expansion of the University’s Extended Reality (XR) function (incorporating Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and 3D technologies more generally).

2. To provide specialist expertise, support and advice to the University L&T community to ensure effective and efficient use of resources, planning and strategic development and implementation of XR or 3D technology in teaching and learning.

3. To manage the resources, setting team priorities and objectives in line with wider IS strategy and the RiG centre’s research program.

4. To develop and maintain effective communication and relationships with all internal and external partners and other stakeholders as part of a cohesive and integrated management and support process.

5. Working with relevant colleagues in Information Services, University Services and the Colleges, determine the future roadmap for XR facility needs and utilisation. Identify gaps in the skills and resources across institution and advise RIG governance board on requirements for new service development.

6. To effectively manage a multi-year program budget in line with key priority areas, liaising with RIG centre directors over allocations for individual workstreams.

7. To seek research opportunities via UK Research and Innovation (including Research Councils), International funders (e.g. Horizon Europe; European Research Council) as well as industry and third sector funders in support of the expansion in the University's work in the XR domain, drawing on a strong up-to-date understanding of the funding landscape to author, co-develop and support research funding proposals that rely on and/or expand capacity and capability within the XR domain.

8. To define, own and report on the centre's key performance indicators, spanning resource utilisation, user satisfaction and funding application success.

9. To work alongside others in Information Services & Academic and Digital Developmentto provide direct, specialist support to staff who require help in using XR technology to enhance learning and teaching. This support will include pedagogical advice, guidance, and support on the appropriate use of technology to team members, academic staff and other stakeholders involved in the development and delivery of blended and online courses.

10. To explore emerging technologies and software offerings and assess suitable XR platforms which meet the University’s L&T & research strategic ambitions within a supportable and cohesive technology infrastructure.

11. To take responsibility for areas of activity and/or short projects to be agreed with RIG governance board to support the continued development of eLearning provision within the University.

12. To undertake support and administrative tasks as appropriate to support the activities of the RIG governance board, in particular to take a lead in developing a sustainable XR strategy across research and teaching functions.

13. To line manage the XR Lab Manager, providing clear direction and support, managing performance and development, and ensuring individual objectives align with the team's strategic priorities.

14. To work closely with the Research Computing as a Service (RCaaS) team to identify opportunities for complementary service development, and to nurture relationships with existing and prospective users of RCaaS and wider research services.

15. To work alongside Business Development Manager to advance research, teaching and commercialisation ambitions of the RIG centre.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist rolesOr: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9,10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role(s).

A2Detailed and authoritative knowledge and understanding of issues related to technology-enhanced learning and teaching, including current good practices in relation to teaching and accessibility issues OR Significant up-do-date knowledge and understanding of the UK funding landscape including a track record in supporting successful grant acquisition.

A3 Excellent knowledge of the functionalities and effective use of XR or 3D technologies and a strong understanding of associated technical standards.

Desirable:

B1 Relevant professional qualification in learning technology.

Skills

Essential:

C1Excellent planning, organisation, time and workload management skills with proven ability to prioritise demands and meet deadlines. C2 Demonstrable grant application development skills, including identifying research opportunities, writing persuasive cases for support, budget planning, and coordinating multi-partner submissions to meet funder deadlines.

C3 Ability to work proactively and flexibly, adapting to changing priorities or requirements.

C4 Creative approach to problem solving, using initiative and collaborating with others to resolve issues.

C5 Excellent interpersonal and communication (written and oral) skills with the ability to liaise and communicate at all levels across the organisation and deal with issues using tact, diplomacy and discretion.

C6 Self-motivation and proven ability to work autonomously.

C7 Excellent ability to negotiate with colleagues at all levels.

C8 Excellent project management skills.

C9 Effective numeracy skills and the ability to interrogate financial information.

C10 Ability to identify and target support at relevant levels of expertise.

C11 Excellent IT skills and in-depth knowledge of XR technology and/or 3D technology.

C12 Ability to apply technology to the enhancement of learning and teaching.

Desirable:

D1 Data analysis or visualisation skills (e.g. Power BI, Python) to support KPI reporting and evidence-based decision making. D2 Course design and development skills.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Proven and significant experience of operational management within a busy multi-functional research environment, including line management experience.

E2 Experience of organising and supporting XR activities or activities that leverage 3D technology.

E3 Experience of strategic planning, organising and setting priorities, applying initiative and independent judgement to achieve objectives.

E4 Experience of providing specialist advice and information relating to technology-enabled learning or research to a wide range of audiences with different levels of technological knowledge.

E5 Experience of managing conflicting interests.

E6 Experience of programme or project management.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of providing specialist advice and information relating to technology-enabled learning or research to a wide range of audiences with different levels of technological knowledge, including colleagues at senior levels.

F2 Proven ability to mobilise a team to produce high-quality teaching and learning resources OR high-quality research proposals.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £51,258 - £59,390 per annum.

This post is full time and open ended.

Closing date: 23:45 1st December 2026

All applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK or be eligible to obtain permission to work in the UK.This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, subject to meeting the relevant Home Office requirements, including any applicable tradeable points criteria. Further information can be found on the University of Glasgow’s UKVI Website. For research and academic roles, we will also consider whether the Global Talent visa route may be available, subject to individual eligibility.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.