Enterprise Executive

An exciting role of Enterprise Executive is now available in the Converge team based at the Business and Enterprise Directorate of Heriot-Watt University.  

The Converge Enterprise Executive will be responsible for delivery of enterprise support and activities to aspiring academic entrepreneurs from Scottish universities.  The primary purpose of this role is to support the restructuring of the Converge programmes from 2027.  The post holder will contribute to the development of a new training framework, content, and building of partnerships to support the restructured programmes.    

With a background in supporting commercialisation of research and/or student entrepreneurship, you will have excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to network effectively; excellent written and oral communications skills; and a proven ability in innovation-related project development and management. The role will require flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends and at various locations across universities. 

Key priorities will include: 

• Project managing framework construction of the KickStart Challenge for early-stage business ideas 
• Development of training content for the KickStart Challenge 
• Project managing framework construction and supplier procurement for the Converge Challenge programme  
• Supporting delivery of the Converge programmes and other activities 

The posts reports to the Deputy Director of Converge.  

Converge is the leading enterprise support organisation working in partnership with Scottish Universities and Research Institutes. We work with Universities and entrepreneurs to help nurture innovative ideas and develop the entrepreneurial skills and mindset of staff, students and recent graduates. Converge provides high quality training and practical support to help develop fledgling businesses into investor ready companies. The programme helps to refine and accelerate the pipeline of spin-outs and start-ups from Scottish Universities and Research Institutes. 

Converge delivers a real value to the Scottish economy by supporting the brightest thinkers of our age.  

Converge has a highly motivated team that is dedicated to delivering the best possible experience to our academic entrepreneurs and ensuring that we provide best value to our stakeholders. 

Expected to demonstrate relevant professional experience including: 

• An understanding of the needs of early-stage entrepreneurs  
• Experience of working in partnership with different stakeholders 
• Proven ability to manage own workload to ensure goals are met 
• A good understanding of and the ability to use a range of software (word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, email, PowerPoint). 

• Relevant higher education degree  
• Spinout, start-up or small company advising/management/development experience 
• Experience in the successful development and delivery of presentations and workshops (e.g. public speaking, enterprise workshops or lectures) 
• An understanding of academic values and the ability to win the confidence and support of the academic community  
• Experience co-ordinating activity across organisations 
• Good communicator, adept in building relationships with key stakeholders and managing expectations 
• Positive and friendly demeanour, with the ability to maintain respectful working relationships with students, staff and alumni from diverse backgrounds 
• Understanding of business idea validation tools, such as Business Model Canvas, and matters surrounding company creation 

• Proven experience of reviewing and writing business plans 
• Working knowledge of Scotland’s enterprise network – its components and interaction 
• Proven project management experience 
• Experience of commercialisation of academic research 

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on 28th of October 2026. 

Please submit your CV and covering letter via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system. 

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.  Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We therefore encourage you to submit your application promptly.

At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.