Forging Ahead Marketing and Communications Manager

Full time, fixed term until 1 May 2028 

Hybrid working

Loughborough University is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Marketing and Communications Manager to coordinate marketing for the Midlands-wide Forging Ahead Project.

About the Project

Forging Ahead is an initiative to transform innovation and entrepreneurship across the Midlands. A coalition of 15 Midlands university partners has launched a bold new project that will revolutionise how research and innovation are translated into real-world impact across the region.

Forging Ahead – led by Loughborough University and Midlands Innovation – will radically enhance the commercialisation ecosystem, supercharging entrepreneurial activity, scaling innovation, and creating dynamic new pathways for academic ideas to become high-growth ventures.
 
This collaborative programme aims to reshape how knowledge exchange, IP Commercialisation, spinout business creation, and investment attraction are delivered across the Midlands, unlocking the region’s research and innovation strengths and turning them into commercial success stories. By strengthening networks, building capacity, and supporting diverse talent, the initiative will drive inclusive economic growth and ensure that innovation benefits communities across the region.

Forging Ahead will first focus on launching and expanding initiatives to nurture entrepreneurial talent, grow investment readiness, and embed a culture of innovation within and beyond universities. It will scale proven models and pilot new approaches that make commercialisation more accessible, inclusive, and impactful.

The initiative is backed by multi-million-pound funding from Research England’s Connecting Capability Fund, with additional matched support from partner universities and regional stakeholders

For more information about the project see here.

About the Role

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to manage and coordinate marketing for the Midlands-wide Forging Ahead Project, which will become instrumental in driving forward the future innovation landscape in the Midlands. 

Based at Loughborough University and working closely with colleagues from the Research Innovation Office, the post-holder will develop and implement marketing and communication strategies to enable delivery of the Project and raise awareness of its successes. 

The Marketing and Communications Manager will work with the 15 Partner Universities, within a dedicated team, to jointly realise the aims and ambitions of this important initiative. This role provides an exciting opportunity to design, plan, develop and effectively deliver marketing content and campaigns to raise awareness and reputation of the Forging Ahead project elevating the profile of the Midlands and enabling strong participation in the project by partners.

The Marketing and Communications Manager will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy for the project. This position will play a critical role in promoting the project's brand and reputation and engaging stakeholders at all levels.

The role will be based primarily at Loughborough’s East Midlands Campus, with regular travel to partner locations across the region; therefore, a willingness to travel is essential.

For more information refer to the full Job Description and Person Specification.

Informal enquiries should be sent to rio.hr@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk

Interested?
Apply now and help us forge a better future. For application tips and guidance, please visit our website .

The closing date for receipt of applications is: Sunday, 17th of August
Interviews will be held on: week commencing 8th of September