Head of SME Partnerships

The University of Manchester is looking for an experienced and influential leader to join us as Head of SME Partnerships. This is a fantastic opportunity to take a leading role in strengthening how businesses connect with our world-class research, innovation, expertise and talent.

As a senior leader within the Business Engagement & Knowledge Exchange (BE&KE) team, you'll lead our SME engagement and consultancy portfolio, act as a deputy to the Director of BE&KE and play a key role in delivering the University's ambitious innovation agenda.

Working at the heart of a vibrant innovation ecosystem, you'll bring together colleagues, businesses and partners to create opportunities, develop impactful collaborations and help ensure organisations of all sizes can access the expertise and capabilities that make Manchester one of the world's leading universities.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the University's strategic approach to SME engagement, helping businesses connect with Manchester's expertise, talent, facilities and innovation opportunities.
• Building and strengthening relationships with business leaders, innovation networks, sector bodies, science parks, Catapults, public sector organisations and strategic partners.
• Leading and growing the University's consultancy activity, creating new opportunities for collaboration and impact.
• Bringing together colleagues from across faculties and professional services to create a more joined up, accessible and effective experience for business partners.
• Leading strategic projects and initiatives that support innovation, partnership development and business growth.

We're looking for a collaborative and commercially minded leader with a passion for partnership building, innovation and creating meaningful impact.

You may come from higher education, business engagement, innovation, consultancy, economic development, industry or a partnership-focused environment. What matters most is your ability to build relationships, influence across complex organisations and create opportunities that deliver results.

For more details about the role, please see the candidate brochure below.

If you're excited by the prospect of influencing how businesses engage with one of the UK's leading universities, building powerful partnerships and helping to shape Manchester's innovation future, we'd love to hear from you.

For further information about our benefits and flexible working arrangements, please visit the University of Manchester Benefits and Flexible and Hybrid Working webpages.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

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General enquiries and administrative support

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Technical and job portal support

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Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

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