Growth and Innovation Associate (KTP Associate)

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a collaborative partnership between Heriot-Watt University and Falkirk FC under the UK Government-sponsored Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme.

This full-time, 25-month fixed-term role offers comprehensive development opportunities, including business training through the national KTP programme, training on Falkirk FC systems and processes, and an annual training budget for tailored personal development.

You will be primarily based at the Falkirk Stadium, home to Falkirk FC. The club was founded in 1876 and currently competes in Scotland’s top flight (the Scottish Premiership), having achieved back-to-back league championships and promotions in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons. The project will also involve working with colleagues based at Heriot-Watt University’s Riccarton campus in Edinburgh.

Supported by academic experts at Heriot-Watt University, you will lead a project that harnesses supporter aspiration, engagement, and consumption to develop the club as a financially strong, community-owned football club and contribute to market growth for the business. This will include, but is not limited to, embedding knowledge and expertise within the Falkirk FC team in data literacy, digital marketing, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

We are seeking a highly driven individual to lead an innovative project that strengthens Falkirk FC’s commercial sustainability by deepening supporter connections and upskilling the club in digital, data-led, and engagement practices. You will be expected to interact with senior management, administrative staff, and supporters of Falkirk FC, as well as academics from Edinburgh Business School and the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society at Heriot-Watt University.

The role also requires you to apply your knowledge to commercial projects, driving value and impact where possible, with the ability to solve problems and create innovative solutions.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• A competitive salary of £28,000 per annum, with a review during the project
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging, and rewarding place to work
• The opportunity to work with experts in sport governance, football finance, and digital marketing at – Falkirk FC and Heriot-Watt University to make real improvements to how a professional football club is managed, marketed, and governed on a sustainable and inclusive basis.
• As a KTP Associate, membership of the national Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (ktp-uk.org) scheme, including entitlement to specialist management training alongside other Associates, protected time for self-development, and a professional development budget that will support career development beyond the project.
• Opportunity to submit a paper to an international conference
• Applicants will be assessed against the essential criteria rather than the key duties

Education, Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• A minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Sport Business or Sport Management) or a related discipline (e.g. Business, Management, Data Management, Analytics, Marketing), coupled with knowledge of football clubs as businesses and social institutions.
• Strong research and written communication skills, with experience of using data to produce reports, articles, or presentations.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, with experience of workshops, stakeholder engagement, or delivering oral presentations; an active listener and confident questioner.
• Data literacy and an understanding of how data can be used to inform strategic decision-making.
• A proactive, self-motivated individual capable of working both independently and collaboratively.
• Effective teamwork and interpersonal skills, including an understanding of roles, coordination, empathy, and organisational citizenship.
• Adaptable, empathetic, and resilient, with a genuine commitment to the success of the project and the ability to manage change in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to manage and prioritise a demanding workload, with strong time-management skills.

Desirable

• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Sport Business or Sport Management) or a related discipline (e.g. Business, Management, Data Management, Analytics, Marketing), coupled with knowledge of football clubs as businesses and social institutions.
• Knowledge of the business of sport, including ownership and governance models.
• Advanced skills in quantitative research methods, including research design and data collection using questionnaires, interviews, or focus groups.
• Experience of digital marketing.
• Familiarity with AI, CRM systems, or predictive modelling in customer engagement.
• Experience of identifying market or business opportunities.

To increase commercial engagement through application of social sciences research and digital upskilling to harness supporter aspiration, engagement, and consumption, and position Falkirk FC as a financially strong, community-owned football club.