ShaKEs Commercialisation Manager

University of the Highlands and Islands; Scotland; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university consortium is seeking motivated professionals to join its project under the ShaKEs initiative, focusing on innovation in priority economic sectors in Scotland. Candidates should possess a strong drive for commercialisation and industry collaboration, aiming to deliver transformative approaches within a supportive and flexible working environment. This role includes the potential for secondment opportunities and various attractive benefits. Applications are welcome from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing the commitment to inclusivity and professional development.

Benefits

42 days’ annual leave

Attractive pension scheme

Flexible working and family-friendly policies

Occupational sick pay

High-street and online retail discounts

Cycle to Work scheme

LinkedIn Learning access

Qualifications

• Highly motivated professionals with creativity and tenacity.
• Drive for innovation in commercialisation and industry collaboration.
• Commitment to shaping transformation and understanding stakeholder needs.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver transformative approaches for the ShaKEs project.
• Embed shared service ambitions through commercialisation infrastructure development.

Job description

UHI is the United Kingdom’s leading integrated university encompassing both further and higher education. We are more than a college and more than a traditional university: a diverse, flexible partnership, rooted in our communities and driven by their needs. Our network of colleges, specialist teaching centres and internationally recognised research institutes delivers supported, flexible learning from access level to PhD.

To support our work we are recruiting to the following role:

Salary range

(Not specified)

Duration

Fixed Term to 31 July 2027

Working hours

35.75 hours (1FTE)

Location

Any of the six partner institutions

Closing Date

19 January 2026

Interview Dates

6 and 9 February 2026

Please note that recruitment for these positions are being managed by Queen Margaret University

ShaKEs is an exciting new consortium of the six smallest higher education institutions in Scotland – Abertay University, Glasgow School of Art, Queen Margaret University, Robert Gordon University, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and University of the Highlands and Islands; plus Edinburgh College, representing the college sector.

Through a new novel and collaborative approach, ShaKEs aims to develop, test and evaluate a sustainable model for commercialisation, industry expertise and KE infrastructure focused on shared legal, contracts and intellectual property (IP) resources and helping to develop alternative routes to commercialisation in our focus areas, many of which have a high proportion of micro enterprises and represent an area of untapped potential in university commercialisation efforts.

Our partnership builds on long‑standing collaboration and distinct academic strengths in Scottish Government priority economic sectors – Food & Drink, Creative Industries, Gaming, Health, Social Care & Wellbeing, Tourism, Built Environment and Service/Public and Third Sector innovation – areas historically underrepresented in R&D but where our collective agility aims to unlock new innovation pathways.

We are seeking highly motivated professionals who are inspired by the inclusive growth potential of our priority economic sectors. You will bring creativity, tenacity, and a drive for innovation to design and deliver transformative and disruptive approaches. You will play a key role in embedding our shared service ambitions through development of a fit‑for‑purpose commercialisation infrastructure – one that is underpinned by specialist expertise, professional acumen, and a deep understanding of stakeholder needs. You will be relentlessly outcome and user focused, committed to shaping transformation and passionate in understanding and breaking down barriers, finding novel and creative solutions and driving alternatives.

Our goal is to build a sustainable and adaptable model that supports industry, public sector reform and our academic staff, while thriving within an institutional culture primarily focused on learning and teaching.

Members of the ShaKEs team can be based in any of the six partner institutions. Together you will be responsible for delivery of the project objectives whilst supporting the key priorities identified within the partner institutions’ 5 Year Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Fund strategies underpinning the consortium.

We welcome applications from talented individuals interested in a secondment opportunity.

Further Information on the ShaKEs webpage.

For informal enquiries please contact any of the Institutional Leads listed on the webpage.

Please note, this vacancy may close earlier than the stated closing date if we receive a high volume of applications.

Should you wish to apply for the vacancy please visit our vacancies page download the job description and complete an application online.

If you have any queries regarding the application process or require special assistance, please contact Human Resources by email at [e-mail].

Queen Margaret University is committed to equality of opportunity for all by providing a supportive, flexible and inclusive working environment, and we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds. Please have a look at our Diversity, Wellbeing and Inclusion Calendar

We are proud to hold an Athena SWAN Bronze Award which recognises the advancement of gender equality at QMU. Find out more about Athena SWAN here

We have a number of family friendly policies and are happy to consider job share applications.

We are a Disability Confident Employer, should you require any specific arrangements during the recruitment process please contact Human Resources on [e-mail]

At UHI, we offer a supportive, flexible and rewarding place to work, with a range of benefits including:

• 42 days’ annual leave (pro rata)
• Attractive pension scheme and options for additional contributions
• Flexible working and family‑friendly policies
• Occupational sick pay and an Employee Assistance Programme (incl. spousal support)
• High‑street and online retail discounts
• 10% off Highlife Highland memberships
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Contribution towards DSE prescription glasses
• Free parking and EV charging (where available)
• LinkedIn Learning access for ongoing professional development
• Long‑service awards and active social events

If you have any queries about the application process please contact the HR Office at [e-mail].