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Learn about the different roles and responsibilities of those involved in managing and supporting an innovation network.
Having clearly defined roles and responsibilities is important to the smooth running of the network and can contribute to overall success of reaching the network goals.
Key roles include:
- core members
- Chair / management board
- network coordinator / operations manager
- general members
As part of the governance structure, you’ll also need a steering committee or advisory board.
Core members
A successful network will need to identify an active core membership (“founders group”) representing a critical mass with complementary skills. Each person or organisation should have a defined role and sets of objectives within the network.
This group will often take a proactive role in the network. For example, they may be part of the management board or advisory board/steering committee. They may also provide financial or in-kind support.
They can be internal or external to UCL, but will have professional backgrounds relevant to the topic of the network and be committed to the network’s mission and vision.
You should proactively consider diversity of representation in this group as a key enabler for improved decision-making and driving responsible innovation.
Chair / management board
Networks are generally run by a Chair or a small management board.
This is typically the UCL principal investigator (PI) or, in the case of a management board, a small group of close collaborators (which can include co-investigators and key external partners).
If applying for funding from UCL Innovation & Enterprise to set up the network, the Chair/PI will be the one who liaises with UCL Innovation & Enterprise throughout this process.
Responsibilities include:
- defining and leading the development and delivery of the strategy for the network
- overall accountability for successful delivery of the network activities
- providing appropriate support to the operations manager
- providing regular progress updates to UCL Innovation & Enterprise via meetings and reports, on request
- being an advocate for the initiative
Network coordinator / operations manager
The network coordinator (also sometimes referred to as the operations manager, project manager or network manager) provides management and administration support for the network, and oversees portfolio activities and project delivery.
They work on behalf of the network, reporting to the Chair/management board and may receive additional support from the Innovation Networks Manager at UCL Innovation & Enterprise.
An enthusiastic network coordinator / operational manager, with a dynamic and motivational attitude, can be considered a critical success factor to drive the network and make things happen.
Their responsibilities include:
- providing effective operational support and project management for projects/activities undertaken by the network
- overall responsibility for operational delivery
- working with UCL Innovation & Enterprise to lead the development of the network’s operational processes and implementation of an agreement across all participating stakeholders (where needed)
- developing and maintaining relations with stakeholders by acting as their primary point of contact
- working with partners to ensure the set-up and delivery of projects to time and target
- working with the network to identify and resolve any issues throughout the life cycle
- ensuring that any pricing, IP or other contractual negotiations take place in a timely manner between those participating in a collaboration project (using the appropriate standard template documents and agreements wherever possible)
- preparing and planning meetings on behalf of the Chair/management board, including steering committee meetings
- preparing meeting minutes and reports for wider dissemination, including follow up and successful delivery of actions where appropriate
- working with the UCL Innovation & Enterprise communications team and Innovation Networks Manager to develop promotional material and produce case studies where collaborations projects have resulted in a significant success
- providing metrics and information about the network regularly to the Innovation Networks Manager
General members
In addition to the core members, who are active participants in the running of the network, you should have a general membership base.
These may be companies, government or non-profit organisations, or individuals who all share an interest in the topic of the innovation network and participate in events, conferences, workshops or other activities the network runs.
They provide insight into issues or feedback on the activities, learnings or outcomes delivered by the network as a whole.
Innovation Networks Manager at UCL Innovation & Enterprise
The Innovation Networks Manager at UCL Innovation & Enterprise can support any network by:
- providing support and guidance during the set-up of network, where needed
- providing guidance during delivery of the network in an advisory role (this can be covered also by other relevant colleagues at UCL)
- working with network coordinator/manager to provide oversight and support to ensure the successful operational delivery of network
- supporting engagement with external partners
- supporting business development and marketing activities
- sharing best practice examples