Job Description

Right to work: Please note that it will not be possible for the University to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to the successful candidate for this position. Therefore, the appointable candidate will need to be eligible to work in the UK or have leave to remain in the UK and associated right to work for the duration of their employment with the University, in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.
Full-Time, Permanent
Applications are invited for the post of CoSTAR Enterprise and Commercialisation Exchange Transfer Manager in the Department of StoryFutures.
We are seeking a dynamic Knowledge Exchange Manager (KEM) to join our Enterprise & Commercialisation team at CoSTAR National Lab. Your role will be critical in building and maintaining a vibrant CoSTAR community and fostering strong relationships between CoSTAR Network, industry and research across the UK. The ideal candidate is a people-oriented professional with a passion for, and strong background in, building and managing partnerships and developing relationships with creative industries stakeholders for Creative industries R&D and the wider CoSTAR Network. You will work closely with CoSTAR teams to raise the profile of CoSTAR Enterprise and Commercialisation programmes, research and innovation expertise and facilities to build relationships that support, manage and track strategic knowledge exchange across and beyond the creative sector.
The post holder will engage with a wide range of creative industries, investment, policy and third sector partners to:

• Initiate, facilitate and support the development of new partnerships, connecting into the CoSTAR Network and wider programme delivery.
• Lead and facilitate collaborative activities in support of enterprise and innovation goals, impact acceleration and knowledge exchange of CoSTAR and the businesses on CoSTAR programmes.
• Maximise creative industries engagement with CoSTAR Access programmes, facilities and infrastructure.
• Support and coordinate the commercial exploitation of intellectual property to generate impact.
• Identify and accelerate collaborative research, contract research, consultancy and impact opportunities, supporting CoSTAR researchers translate knowledge into value.

Working within the CoSTAR Enterprise and Commercialisation team, the post holder will provide focused specialist advice and support to maximise successful outcomes and further CoSTAR strategic priorities.
If you are a creative thinker, have excellent communication skills, enjoy creating meaningful interactions and fostering a positive and inclusive community environment, we invite you to apply for the role.
About the National R&D Lab: CoSTAR National Lab for R&D in Creative Technology is the largest ever investment in creative industries R&D in UK history: a 51.1m programme led by Royal Holloway, University of London to develop a National R&D Lab for creative technologies to ensure the UK's screen and performance industries have innovation infrastructure needed to compete globally. See more here. The National R&D Lab will place Equality, Diversity and Sustainability at the heart of all we do: from our team culture to the research programmes we run, to how we collaborate with partners. You can find out more about CoSTAR National Lab and CoSTAR Network here
What you will be doing:

• Lead and develop links with key external organisations in target and priority creative industries, finance, policy and third sectors to promote the expertise being generated by CoSTAR and relevant participant businesses engaging with CoSTAR Network.
• Support a targeted portfolio of businesses aligned with CoSTAR Programmes and help to grow innovation and impact through the provision of specialist advice and guidance, and leadership of agreed initiatives to secure knowledge exchange.
• Identify, develop and deliver strategic impact acceleration opportunities (engagement, schemes, activities, events and use of facilities) based on CoStar's research and enterprise strategies.
• Develop expertise in targeted sector(s) and support CoSTAR activity by providing specialist insights into the needs and priorities of those sectors to help inform and focus partnership development, knowledge exchange, and innovation activities.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to help devise and monitor strategies for knowledge exchange and impact acceleration, demonstrating an innovative and entrepreneurial attitude and championing new and agile ways of working.
• Take a lead role in securing and maintaining productive relationships with commercial partners and stakeholders in support of technology transfer and knowledge exchange activities.
• Support new grant and commercial R&D activity led by the CoSTAR National Lab.
• Actively contribute to an inclusive and sustainability-aware culture of active staff engagement within the CoSTAR National Lab.

You should apply if you:

• Have a proven track record of running knowledge exchange programmes and networks with multiple partners at a local or national level.
• Have experience at a managerial level of successfully working at the interface between university research and business.
• Love working with people, enterprises, new ideas and forging pathways to success.
• Are adept at problem solving and making things happen.
• Have excellent communication skills.
• Have a positive 'can do' attitude, work well in a team, proactive and self-confident. Be used to working under high levels of independence and responsibility.

In return we offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Training and Development opportunities.
• Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution.
• Various schemes including Cycle to Work, Season Ticket Loans and help with the cost of Eyesight testing.
• Free parking.

The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the University is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London. With the expectation of flexible working time there and at the National Lab which is being built in the region, flexible working and national travel as appropriate. The successful applicant will spend significant time liaising with Network Lab partners across the UK.
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Madu Weerasinghe at
For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at:
Please quote the reference: 0625-144
Closing Date: 23:59, 18 July 2025
Interview Date: 24 and 25 July 2025 Further details: