Exchange and Innovation Officer

Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Officer

Advert Reference Number: 1288

Job Location:

Edinburgh

Department: OUiS External Engagement and Partnerships

Salary: £32,080 to £37,694

Closing Date: 7 January 2026

Weekly

Working Hours:

37

Contract Type:
Permanent Fixed Term

Contract:

End Date:
Not Applicable

Welsh Language:
Not Applicable

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part‑time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to You Tube by clicking this link).

In this key role, you’ll be an integral member of the External Engagement and Partnerships Team, playing an important part in our knowledge exchange, research and innovation programmes. Knowledge Exchange and Innovation (KE&I), is a thriving and developing area in the OU in Scotland, and involves creating opportunities for Open University research related expertise to address industrial and societal challenges, sharing The Open University’s world‑class know‑how with a range of audiences including the public, and working with organisations to share ideas, and best practice to solve complex real‑world issues.

The Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Officer will support and take forward a wide range of knowledge exchange, research and innovation activities in Scotland. You’ll work directly to support other members of the Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Team and with Open University colleagues and external partners to grow and develop this area of work. Key aspects of the role include managing and coordinating outreach programmes, projects and events, while providing the support needed to ensure successful delivery and maximum impact.

You will have your own dedicated work areas and will be expected to work with appropriate autonomy, demonstrating drive and initiative to progress programmes to agreed deadlines. Contributing ideas for new programme development will also be an important part of the role.

The Open University in Scotland is an integral part of the Scottish higher education community and actively involved in the development of HE policy alongside the other 18 higher education institutions in Scotland. Since April 2000, the teaching of OU student’s resident in Scotland has been funded by the Scottish Funding Council.

With over 16,000 students, Open University students can be found in virtually every postcode district and community in Scotland. Social justice and equality of opportunity are at the heart of everything the OU does, and widening access to higher education is the ambition on which it was founded. The Open University is committed to extending opportunities for educational success to all who wish to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.

More information can be obtained from The OU in Scotland website at .

The post will be located in the External Engagement and Partnerships Team at The Open University in Scotland. The External Engagement and Partnerships Team engages with the external environment that The Open University in Scotland operates in. It plays a critical role in maintaining and developing external relationships and creates opportunities for the OU to raise its profile as a unique provider of higher education in Scotland.

Led by a Depute Director (External Engagements and Partnerships), and supported by a highly skilled team, currently the strands of work include:

• Developing our partnerships with employers.
• Working with Schools and Colleges to develop learning pathways and opportunities for students to undertake OU study in familiar places.
• Working alongside community and third sector organisations to widen access to higher education and to work collaboratively in designing learning solutions.
• Developing opportunities for knowledge exchange, research, and innovation.
• Working with colleagues across the university to promote the OU’s offer in Scotland as a high quality, flexible distance learning provider.

As a Scotland wide…