Innovate UK has the following secondment opportunity available for employees of Innovate UK Business Connect: Applications must be submitted by 19-03-2025 Lead Programme Manager – Land Transport The role holder will operate within the Innovate UK’ Land and Maritime Transport which is part of the Mobility Directorate Please note this advert will close on the 18th of March at 23:59pm. Watch our video “Why Join Innovate UK?” here. Title: Lead Programme Manager – Land Transport Band: UKRI Band F (UKRI Ts & Cs) Salary: £56,745 gross per annum Reports to: Portfolio Proposition and Product Capability Director Location: Field based Contract: Permanent Innovate UK recognises the importance of work-life balance and we will be happy to discuss any requests for flexible working arrangements. Context: The role holder will operate within the Innovate UK’ Land and Maritime Transport which is part of the Mobility Directorate Innovate UK’s Land and Maritime Transport team delivers millions of R&D funding to the UK’s transport sector each year. We provide impact as one of the most significant areas of activity within Innovate UK, especially against aspirations set out in the government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan and Net Zero Strategy. We work alongside government and industry to enable land and maritime based transport to be zero emission, become smarter and more accessible, while growing the UK’s supply chain. The roleholder is responsible for managing 5 direct reports, with a total team size of 14. We particularly welcome female applicants as women are under-represented within Innovate UK in this type of role. Job Purpose: The post holder will ensure delivery of the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) and Automotive Transformation (ATF) programmes, the V2X programme with DESNZ, the Rail programme with multiple stakeholders. However, there is an expectation that the post-holder will cover a wider remit of activities/programmes periodically and these responsibility may change depending on business need. The role requires significant relationship management and stakeholder management activities, working across teams in delivery partners, Government policy teams and with other stakeholders, inside and outside of the Innovate UK family. Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: As Senior Programme Manager, the post-holder will deliver across a number of key areas, these include but are not limited to: Working with multiple Government departments to understand the current policy and strategy to deliver transport innovation programmes, and ensure the sub-teams are prepared and equipped to deliver this. Lead the close partnership with the APC team, along with other stakeholders. Act as the Innovation lead for the APC programme providing a proactive and supporting approach to the relationship. Lead the relationship management across other areas of responsibility, with funding policy teams in government and other key stakeholders A cross organisation approach to delivery is used for the Land Transport Programmes – the post-holder will need to work collaboratively with the pre and post award operations teams while developing a positive and supporting environment. Working with the cross cutting areas within Mobility to develop ambitious plans to support UK companies. This includes championing both the Transport and Mobility strategies currently in development. Support the Head of Land and Maritime Transport and the Director of Mobility as necessary, on strategic and operational issues to deliver our programmes and impact Taking the lead to deliver our core remit while also developing improved (novel) ways of working and efficient grant delivery with continuous improvements, and role these out further where appropriate Ensure Programme budgets including opex (Operating Expenses) are managed successfully, including close working with Finance colleagues. Track progress of the resource investments (financial and other) deployed to monitor impact and inform future portfolio decisions. Support the planning, setup and initiation of new interventions, working with Innovate UK Business Connect and key stakeholders to build a successful foundation for future programme delivery. Build and maintain strong relationships with appointed Innovation Leads and seniors across the wider team. Act as a fundamental part of the programme’s delivery ensuing IUK’s value proposition is provided. Act as an architect for cross programme / project opportunities, helping to build a critical mass of activity across the wider transport portfolio. Support project participants to maximise their return on investment during and after project completion, including coordination with Innovate UK Business Growth. Support and steer evaluation of the programme’s projects, helping produce robust evidence which presents the success and impact of investments made over time. Represent the programme and wider team at leading industry events and market engagements, raising awareness of the innovation opportunities and inspiring the innovation community. Contribute to the wider implementation of Innovate UK strategy; supporting colleagues in the implementation of their programmes and ensuring implementation of Innovate UK’s and UKRI overall mission to boost UK innovation and deliver economic and societal impact. This is not an exhaustive list and you might be encouraged to undertake any other duties across the wider directorate, commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the key experience and/or training. Shortlisting criteria (S) – Assessed at shortlisting (I) – Assessed at interview (S&I) – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview Person Specification: This position requires relevant programme management experience and the ability to develop a broad industry knowledge with respect to Transport. The role holder will require excellent prioritisation skills and an underlying ability for end-to-end programme management. The position requires an ability to make sense of multiple data sources, establish underlying patterns and articulate a clear and compelling vision of what needs to be done to influence the transport sector and deliver business impact. A passion for developing the UK’s future transport ecosystem of collaborative research and innovation is essential along with a sense of duty to help enable that to translate this into commercial success. The role holder should be adept to strengthening relationships as a convener of a wide range of colleagues within Innovate UK and our key stakeholders, to ensure effective delivery of key interventions. You will be confident to work on your own initiative developing senior industry and government engagements but work equally well in a highly cooperative way within the Innovate UK Swindon and wider field based teams. Experience & Qualifications: Essential – Degree level in relevant science, engineering or related discipline (or equivalent experience) (S) Firsthand programme management experience, related to innovation or transferable area, with a strong track record of successful delivery. (S&I) Demonstrable stakeholder management experience, including working with senior level individuals to manage conflicting demands and priorities while building relationships (S&I) Excellent communication and presentation experience conveying critical messages to individuals up to large groups of industry and Government professionals. (I) Experience tracking impacts and managing a portfolio of activities, projects or investments (S) Strong problem solving experience and solving issues across multiple activities (I) Experience of working across technology fields and with a broad and up-to-date understanding of developments in related technology areas. (S) Knowledge of the UK’s innovation and collaborative research ecosystem, which includes Innovate UK’s wider strategic direction. Familiarity with the funding environment, along with experience of engaging with government departments. (S&I) Able to work in a fast-paced, often matrix, environment. (I) Desirable – Experience of bringing new innovative products and services to market in the transport sector. (I) An awareness of the UK’s knowledge transfer and commercialisation activity, demonstrated by collaboration between companies and universities. (I) Competencies: All team members demonstrate compatibility with and capability against our Core Competencies such as: Thinking and Problem Solving – Stakeholder management – Communication skills – Influencing – Self-awareness/self-management – Strategic awareness – Working with others– Project management Some of the above competencies will be assessed at interview stage, in addition to the criteria’s listed in the person specification. Travel Requirements: Field-based: There will a requirement to travel, mostly national, and there is some flexibility in this. Innovate UK staff make extensive use of telepresence tools for meetings to minimise unnecessary travel. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Innovate UK is a diverse workforce of people. We believe that encouraging these differences and drawing the best from them will build a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, where talents are fully utilised and in which organisational goals are met. Underpinning this is a belief that it is a fundamental right for everyone to be treated equally, with fairness, respect and dignity. We will act directly and use our influence to ensure that this right is promoted and upheld; we encourage applications from all those who meet the criteria set-out in our role profiles. Equal Opportunities: We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to employing any person who meets the criteria for our roles. When undertaking recruitment we may require applicants to undertake certain tests or assessments, some of which will be online and others may be in-person. If you have a disability, heath condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia then you may be entitled to support with undertaking this type of assessment exercise. Where you feel that reasonable adjustments are required to support you, we ask that you advise your recruitment point of contact in a timely fashion, providing further information. In confidence, Innovate UK will then review your application for adjustments and provide support as required. UK Research and Innovation: Innovate UK is partner organisation within UK Research and Innovation. If successful in securing the position, your employer will be UK Research and Innovation. More information can be found online http://www.ukri.org/. Employee Benefits: We offer a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, flexible working hours, an exceptional defined benefit pension scheme, and access to a variety of support networks and discount schemes. Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Flexible Working: We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants. Pre-employment Screening: To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a comprehensive pre-employment check on successful applicants as part of the recruitment process. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment. UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider how this aligns with your personal values or beliefs. To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as a crucial part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. Applications must be submitted by; 19-03-2025