Research and Knowledge Exchange Development Manager

Contract: Full-time (0.8fte will be considered, for example to enable the post-holder to undertake research 0.2FTE) , Permanent

The Royal College of Art, the world’s leading university for art and design, is seeking a dynamic and experienced Research & Knowledge Exchange Development Manager to join our Research & Innovation team.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in enhancing the RCA’s research performance and increasing income from external research and KE funding. You will work closely with the Head of Research Development and Head of Knowledge Exchange to support and drive high-quality funding applications, foster collaborations, and build strong relationships across the academic community and with key funders.

About the Role

You will act as a first point of contact for academic colleagues seeking external research and KE funding. Your responsibilities will include:

• Advising academics on developing research ideas and framing them for funders.
• Identifying and promoting suitable funding opportunities across UK, EU, and international schemes.
• Supporting bid development, including project scoping, budgeting, and draft feedback.
• Running internal peer review and funding processes.
• Supporting RCA’s strategic research and KE ambitions through pipeline development and proposal quality.
• Facilitating collaborations with academic and business partners.
• Monitoring funded projects, ensuring compliance, and supporting impact reporting.

You will work collaboratively across professional services including Finance and IT, and contribute to training, research strategy, internal reporting, and REF preparation.

About You

You will be a confident communicator and experienced research development professional with:

• Strong track record in supporting successful research and/or KE bids in a higher education or research environment.
• Excellent knowledge of research and KE funding in the UK and internationally.
• Familiarity with systems like Je-S, ResearchFish, and internal university funding pipelines.
• High-level organisational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities.
• A collaborative approach and ability to build strong working relationships with academic and professional colleagues alike.
• A strategic mindset with a passion for helping world-class researchers realise their ideas.

Experience in the arts, humanities or design sectors is desirable but not essential. What’s more important is your ability to translate complex funding requirements into clear, actionable advice for academic colleagues and to help shape research projects that succeed.

Why Join RCA?

With a rich history of innovation and impact, the RCA is home to a diverse, vibrant research community spanning art, design, architecture, humanities and innovation. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the heart of this community, contributing to transformative research and KE activity that shapes society, culture and industry.

Join us in supporting world-leading creativity through world-class research.

This role closes for applications at 11.59pm on Sunday 28th September 2025

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