Programme Director (Local Innovation Partnership Fund)

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.

This is a full time, fixed term role working 37 hours per week for 5 years due to funding.

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Adrian Dawson: by email at .ac.uk

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

For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.

Application Process:

Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, skills and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.

Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.

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