Research and Communications Manager

Research and Communications Manager

SEFARI Gateway, with funding from the Scottish Government, manages knowledge exchange between scientists, government, industry and stakeholders for some of Scotland's leading research.  Stakeholders include the Scottish Government and organisations like Nature Scot, Public Health Scotland, Food Standards Scotland, Highland & Islands Enterprise and the Scotch Whisky Association.  One of its main functions is to commission and manage a range of Specialist Advisory Groups and fellowships which provide knowledge and expertise on some of  society's most pressing issues such as biodiversity, green house gas emissions, and the circular economy

The Research and Communications Manager role is an exciting opportunity to deploy negotiation and project management skills to deliver these research projects by building strong collaborative relationships between commissioning stakeholders and the scientists. 

As well as managing these research projects the post-holder manages and delivers the communications for Gateway. With line management responsibility for two staff, a Policy & Impact Officer and a Communications & Engagement Officer, the team is responsible for publishing extensive science content on the website, managing a lively events programme and developing the social media accounts. An important part of the post is providing reports on activity for Scottish Government.

 Experience in knowledge exchange and/or communications/marketing is essential and a knowledge of life sciences or STEM is desirable.

This role is initially fixed term from 01 July 2025- 31 March 2026 with likely extension for another year.  This role is for 24.5 hours per week.

Job Description

The Manager at SEFARI Gateway is a nationally important role, at the forefront of developing new knowledge exchange opportunities and access to knowledge for policy and industry. The Manager, reporting to the Director of SEFARI Gateway, delivers key operational responsibilities within the SEFARI Gateway (the Centre For Knowledge Exchange and Innovation within the Scottish Government Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture Strategic Research Portfolio) but specifically for over-seeing the progress and effective development and management of Gateway’s knowledge exchange projects, deputising for the Director at specified meetings, supervising the update of strategic programme reporting , coordinating Gateway’s own reporting requirements, representing Gateway at operational meetings, commissioning material for SEFARI website  and other media and leading on a training strategy to equip researches in their policy and public facing roles within the Strategic Portfolio.

 Specific tasks

• Assisting the SEFARI Gateway Director with negotiation, development and responsible for management oversights for Fellowship, Specialist Advisory and Innovative Knowledge Exchange Projects and events or training opportunities
• Responsibility for developing and delivering an annual training strategy, identifying training needs and targeting resources to deliver (including in co-construction with Scottish Government)
• Responsibility for maintaining tabulated data for Gateway projects and supporting quarterly, annual and Mid Programme review reporting to Scottish Government
• Responsibility as lead for SEFARI Gateway ResearchFish metrics coordination and submission
• Assisting with interviewing new project applicants
• General management (setting of tasks and primary liaison) of knowledge Broker activities and Gateway staff activities
• Responsibility for SEFARI Web-Site Management
• Responsibility for overseeing editing and coordination of SEFARI Gateway Case Studies and Blogs
• Gateway representative at cross CoE managerial meetings and for wider ENRA Portfolio meetings
• Gateway Board participant (with Director)
• Responsible for ensuring documentation for Gateway projects is appropriately filed and maintained.

Person Specification

Required skills/knowledge

• Line management experience
• Experience of working in a knowledge exchange environment
• Experience of co-working with stakeholders to deliver projects (design for impact)
• Bachelors or Masters Degree in an academic discipline or Knowledge Exchange Qualification relevant to the strategic portfolio
• Able to communicate with a broad spectrum of organisations and individuals
• Strategic level and technical level report writing/editing
• Used to working to tight deadlines
• A knowledge of working and constraints of governmental (local or national) policy environment
• Good organisational skills, methodical and precise
• Fully conversant with Microsoft office suite
• Full (clean) UK Driving Licence

Desirable

• Experience of delivering training for KE
• Experience of using online data bases
• Experience of Web site management
• Social media management and engagement experience
• Event organisation

Closing date for applications:

9am on Monday, 19 May 2025

Interview date:

Interviews will be held online on Friday, 30 May 2025

What we Offer

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential service available to support employees and their families with work or personal problems. Providing access to professional counsellors, psychologists, and work-life consultants available to help and support individuals in tackling all types of problems.

Annual Leave – Generous entitlement up to 40.5 days a year, with carry over possible and guaranteed time-off for Christmas.

Pension - Employer Contribution of 15% in a Personal Pension Plan and employee contribution flexibility.

Self-managed hours and Flexible Working – option to manage and spread your working time in line with organisational needs to create a healthy work life balance.

Additional Notes

• Please note the minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa is currently £38,700.00.  If the advertised salary for this posts falls below this threshold, we regret to advise that we may not be able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship to a non-UK citizen for this role.  Applicants who do not meet the conditions to be sponsored as per the UK governments page (https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/when-you-can-be-paid-less) will need to demonstrate an alternative right to work.