Venture Builder Incubator Programme Manager

University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

40 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Flexible working options

Career development support

Job summary

The University of Edinburgh invites applications for a fixed-term role within Edinburgh Innovations (EI). The post is full-time (35 hours per week) with potential for hybrid working and flexible patterns.

The salary is Grade 8 £48,137 to £58,379 per annum and the appointment runs until early September 2027 with possible extension. We seek candidates with demonstrated experience in managing innovation programmes, HE entrepreneurship activities, and strong startup growth understanding.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of managing and delivering successful innovation/entrepreneurial support Programmes
• Experience of delivering entrepreneurship activities in a Higher Education setting (ideally for student/PhD programmes) and supporting research created founders.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of startup business growth and digital development issues & solutions
• Experience of being a Founder (successful or otherwise) or involved in a start-up/scale up company.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills - thought leadership experience.

Skills

Programme management

Entrepreneurship activities

Startup growth knowledge

Founder experience

Communication skills

Job description

Job Description

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), we welcome applications from candidates seeking part-time hours or flexible working patterns. We also support hybrid working on a non-contractual basis, offering a blend of home and on-site working to help you balance work and life effectively. This role is a fixed term position until early September 2027 with the possibility of extension.

The salary for this post is Grade 8 £48,137 to £58,379 per annum.

The experience and qualities we are looking for:

• Demonstrable experience of managing and delivering successful innovation/entrepreneurial support Programmes
• Experience of delivering entrepreneurship activities in a Higher Education setting (ideally for student/PhD programmes) and supporting research created founders.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of startup business growth and digital development issues & solutions
• Experience of being a Founder (successful or otherwise) or involved in a start-up/scale up company.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills - thought leadership experience.

About Us

At Edinburgh Innovations (EI), our culture is built on three core values: Collaborative, Progressive and Innovative. We believe the best results come from working together, sharing ideas, and supporting one another. We're always looking forward, embracing change, challenging assumptions, and pushing boundaries to grow. Innovation is at the heart of what we do, encouraging creativity and fresh thinking at every level of the business.

If you thrive in a team-driven environment that values bold ideas and continuous improvement, you'll fit right in.

Championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We're committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. At EI we celebrate diversity in all its forms and actively seek to create a team that reflects the communities around us. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities because different perspectives make us stronger.

As a valued member of our team, you can look forward to:

• A competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience
• An exciting, positive, and creative workplace that's as rewarding as it is challenging
• A generous 40 days of combined annual leave and public holiday entitlement
• A comprehensive benefits package, including a defined contribution pension scheme (currently 3.5/4.5% employee and 9/14.5% employer contributions), family-friendly policies, flexible working options, and more
• Ongoing support to develop your skills, grow your career, and recognise your achievements

About You

At EI, we look for people who live our core behaviours in everything they do

• You work well with others, build strong relationships, and believe that teamwork drives better outcomes.
• You're curious, creative, and not afraid to challenge the norm to find smarter solutions.
• You take responsibility for your work, follow through on commitments, and are driven to deliver results.
• You seek feedback, grow from experiences, and are always looking to improve.
• You genuinely care about the impact of your work on colleagues, customers, and the wider community.

If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.

Right to Work

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer sponsorshipfor this role. You will be required to provide documentation as part of the recruitment process to confirm your eligibility to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 22nd of September 2026.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 5.00pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

Interviews will be held week beginning 5th of October 2026.