KTP Associate - Digital Business Transformation Manager

University of the West of Scotland – School of Business and Creative Industries

University of the West of Scotland in Partnership with Houston Kiltmakers Ltd

Company Based: Paisley, High Street

Full time: 37.5 hours per week

Fixed Term: 30 months

This is a unique opportunity to work with one of Scotland's longest running heritage brands in the field of traditional Highland wear. The successful candidate will be contracted to work on a 30-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project between Houston Kiltmakers Limited and UWS with the potential for permanent employment.

You will be a graduate in Digital Marketing or with a relevant degree incorporating significant experience and skills in the implementation of digital transformation. The successful candidate will be an integral member of the management team and will be instrumental in realising the company's exciting plans for sustainable business growth through the digital transformation of their operations.

• Are you a Digital Marketing graduate looking for unique opportunity to transform a traditional Scottish heritage business?
• Would you like to work with one of Scotland's longest running kiltmakers and be supported by senior company management and by a
• team of academics at UWS?
• Are you passionate about balancing digital innovation with traditional craftsmanship and brand values?

The Company

Houston Kiltmakers Limited are master kiltmakers, with 115 years of market presence, providing both hire and kilt outfit purchase options via their premises in Paisley and online. The business has an international clientele and claims to be the only kilt shop in the world where you can see every stock tartan. They can design and special weave any tartan and have their own Bute Heather range of tartan for sale & hire. In addition to designing tartans for private clients, the business has designed corporate tartans for the likes of NASA, Boeing, Aldi and Dominos.

The business, located right next to UWS’s Paisley Campus, is at a pivotal stage as it transitions from the third to the fourth generation of family leadership. This generational shift offers an ideal moment to reflect on the future direction of the business and identify/embed the skills, knowledge and expertise needed to accelerate growth while preserving the authentic, client-focused experience that defines the Houston Kiltmakers brand.

Find out more by visiting www.kiltmakers.com/en and www.kiltsforhire.com

About KTP:

This position forms part of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) funded by Innovate UK. It's essential you understand how KTP works with business and the University, and the vital role you will play if you successfully secure a KTP Associate position. Please visit:

www.uws.ac.uk/business/knowledge-expertise/knowledge-transfer-partnerships or contact Stuart McKay at stuart.mckay@uws.ac.uk

The successful candidate must possess:

• MSc in Digital Marketing, E or M-commerce or related area, or a bachelor's in business with Digital Marketing related qualification
• Experience of working in a Digital Marketing Executive or Management capacity
• Strong background in Digital Business Transformation, Digital Marketing
• Desirable: Membership of relevant professional organisation (e.g. DMI, CIM, IDDM) and experience in the retail sector, traditional crafts or heritage businesses

Essential skills we require include the following:

• Understanding of Online Growth Strategies.
• Knowledge of retail and e-commerce markets, particularly those balancing tradition with digital innovation.
• Well-developed project management and research organisational skills.
• Strong numerical, analytical and data handling skills.
• Strong Digital Skills and the ability to work with different cloud ecosystems (preferably with Google Workspace/Cloud Enterprise or Microsoft 365/Azure).
• Ability to carry out project costing and to compare alternatives based on costs and other factors.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan under own initiative and to work to deadlines.
• Expertise in writing and preparation of reports and business cases.
• Ability to deliver results in a highly dynamic organisation under tight schedules.
• Appreciation for balancing digital innovation with traditional brand values and artisanal quality.
• In addition, the candidate may be required to carry out ad-hoc administration and reporting tasks as required.

Why UWS?

We support you – We are the only Scottish University to have a dedicated KTP centre, meaning you are fully supported throughout your time with the company by UWS staff.

You grow with us – Many of our KTP associates are offered permanent roles and continue to provide support to projects as part of a team and autonomously. We will also invest £5,000 in your development; this includes training in Chartered Management Institute (Level 5) and the opportunity to register for an MPhil or Ph.D.

If you have questions about this vacancy contact: theo.tzanidis@uws.ac.uk

Interview Date: Week commencing 9^th June 2025

The University reserves the right to shorten/extend the closing date of any position where a high/low volume of suitable applications are received. Therefore, if you are interested in this role, an early application would be encouraged.

You can find out more about how the University uses your personal data as part of the recruitment process by looking at the UWS HR Applicant Privacy Notice at www.uws.ac.uk

UWS are committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant.

UWS is committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups.

UWS is a “Disability Confident” employer.

University of the West of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity, no. SC002520.