Rowan Grant
Community Manager @Nexus Leeds
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WORK HISTORY
Community Manager @Nexus Leeds
Leeds, GB
As Community Manager for Nexus, the University of Leeds’ innovation community for high-growth, technology-led businesses, I lead the strategy and delivery of community management to ensure it remains fit for purpose as we scale and expand to new locations.I am responsible for overseeing the full member journey, from onboarding and strategic engagement to relationship development and opportunity capture. Working at the intersection of academia, innovation, and entrepreneurship, I act as a strategic connector, identifying and translating the research and innovation and skills and talent needs of early-stage and scaling businesses into opportunities for collaboration with the University.Key aspects of my role include:Designing scalable, best-practice community management tools and processes to support the growth of the Nexus member baseLeading holistic account management for a portfolio of innovative businesses, ensuring their evolving needs are met through targeted university engagementMapping member activity, identifying high-potential R&I opportunities, and tracking outcomes through CRM and other performance metricsBuilding strategic relationships with stakeholders across the University, research community, and innovation ecosystem to support business growth and amplify Nexus’ impactCollaborating with sector leads, marketing, operations, and events teams to optimise engagement and promote cross-member connectivityMy work supports the delivery of Nexus\' strategic objectives, helping to grow a thriving innovation ecosystem and strengthen the University\'s reputation as a partner of choice for business. I also represent Nexus externally, delivering presentations, hosting site visits, and championing our community through professional networks.
EDUCATION
London School of Journalism
Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism
University of Hull
BA, Creative Music Technology
CIM | The Chartered Institute of Marketing
Chartered Insititute of Marketing Professional Diploma
CIM | The Chartered Institute of Marketing
Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Certificate, Marketing
SKILLS
ABOUT ROWAN GRANT
I am an experienced engagement and communications leader, with a strong track record in medical technologies innovation and driving accessibility for under represented groups in innovation. As Communications and Engagement Manager for a £45 million+ portfolio of national and regional research and innovation programmes at the University of Leeds, I’ve led complex projects that span research, commercialisation, policy, and community building. At Nexus, the University of Leeds\' innovation community of fast-growing and scaling start-ups, it is my mission to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem of entrepreneurs and innovators. My ability to win trust, influence decision making, and build alignment across diverse stakeholders - from directors to researchers, administrators, and students - has consistently delivered results, driving engagement and fostering a culture where every individual is an active participant in the community’s vision. A passionate advocate for inclusivity, I am committed to ensuring that under represented groups have equal access to opportunities in innovation and leadership. Through my work, I continuously strive to create environments where diverse voices are empowered to lead and succeed. As a creative leader, my journey also includes founding a personal brand of jewellery design (20••••14), which gained national acclaim, securing placements on the shelves of Selfridges London and appearances on red carpets, major TV productions and glossy monthly magazines. This experience honed my media relations skills and demonstrated my ability to build and sustain brand recognition in competitive markets.
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