Innovation Manager - Manufacturing Technologies

Job Title - Innovation Manager (Knowledge Transfer Manager) - Manufacturing Technologies

Contract - Permanent

Hours - Full time (37.5 hours per week)

Location - Home based (UK)

Salary - £31,786 to £33,822 pa

Purpose of the Role

This role will support the delivery of knowledge transfer and other activities aimed at stimulating the development and adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies. This role will play a key part in identifying innovations and connecting the opportunities to make an impact and translate UK potential into commercial reality.

The role sits within Innovate UK Business Connect’s Materials and Manufacturing team. Our core purpose is to connect innovators with new partners and to develop new opportunities in a collaborative effort. The team is dedicated to identifying and supporting the development of sustainable cutting-edge, cross-sector technologies, world-class design processes and new business models that have the potential to transform the UK’s economy and society. We work closely with businesses, academia, policy makers, regulators, and other innovation partners to provide expertise, connections to help turn game-changing ideas into successful commercial products and services, and access to funding and investment opportunities.

On a day-to-day basis, you will work with other team members to engage with high-growth businesses to understand their innovation needs and direct them towards public and private finance, potential commercial and academic partners, and other opportunities to support their growth.

The successful candidate will support the design and delivery of a broad programme of activities, including workshops and desk research, to accelerate the understanding, development and uptake of innovative manufacturing technologies in the UK as we transition to a Net Zero economy.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Work with the developers and users of manufacturing technologies to understand their innovation needs and the opportunities for growth of UK industry, the scientific capabilities of the research base and supporting the transfer of knowledge within and between these groups and the establishment of collaborations.
• Support the wider Materials and Manufacturing team in the delivery of key programmes and challenges.
• Understand and facilitate access to innovation support mechanisms for businesses and to help develop funding and investment applications.
• Promote the benefits of Innovate UK Business Connect and innovation within a business context to the manufacturing sector, including the preparation of promotional material and the use of various media.
• Liaise closely with Innovate UK Business Connect staff across all sectors and technologies to ensure a good understanding of other sector activities, to ensure well informed and integrated working.
• Produce articles for newsletters, blogs of interest to our members and similar media.
• Organise meetings, workshops and networking events in a variety of commercial and scientific areas.
• Undertake necessary administrative duties including the timely completion of accurate reports, meeting minutes, timesheets and expenses.
• Maintain and disseminate an up-to-date view of the industry and application areas, including technology developments, key innovators, market trends/needs and business funding opportunities.
• Regularly capture and report KPI achievements.
• Capture success stories from projects and workshops for case studies and impact measure
• Promote diversity and inclusion both within Innovate UK Business Connect and across engaged sectors.

Essential Experience

• Degree qualification or equivalent industry experience
• Experience of working in a technical, engineering or scientific research role
• Good level of understanding and knowledge of some of the manufacturing technologies of relevance to the role
• Good writing and presentation skills, with ability to translate complex topics for a broad audience
• Demonstrable project co-ordination skills

Desirable Experience

• Demonstrable understanding of knowledge transfer and experience of industry-academia collaboration
• Understanding of the importance of networks
• Some experience in business development and organising and delivering events and workshops

Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate confidently and build effective relationships
• Team player with good relationship building and influencing skills; enjoys working in a collaborative manner in an open, honest, and diverse environment
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively across multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholders, explaining complicated matters in an easy to grasp manner
• High level of IT literacy

About Innovate UK Business Connect

We connect ideas, people, and communities to drive innovation that changes lives.

Innovation is complex. The journey from idea to market is not straightforward and requires a diverse range of know-how, investment, market knowledge and research. Innovate UK Business Connect exists to connect innovators with new partners and new opportunities beyond their existing thinking - accelerating ambitious ideas into real-world solutions.

The future holds both challenges and opportunities. We are passionate about working with innovative businesses to overcome these challenges and shape the opportunities and solutions that follow.

Our vision is to create a network of innovators so powerful its ideas will change the world.

While business is at the heart of our work, our diverse connections span government, funders, research and the third sector. This unrivalled overview and connectivity enable us to be a trusted guide through a complex global landscape of research, development, and innovation.

Benefits

• This role is Grade 6 with a salary of £31,786 to £33,822 pa
• 28 days annual leave plus 10.5 bank and public holidays
• Enhanced Pension Plan
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Opportunities for continuous professional development as part of our Talent & Development Programme

This advert will close on Thursday 18th September.

First stage interviews will be held w/c 22nd or 29th September.

Second stage interviews will be held w/c 6th or 13th October.

Please apply by submitting a tailored cover letter outlining your suitability with specifics relating to the requirements of the role, and your CV outlining your experience.

Applicants must have the existing right to work in the UK without restrictions as sponsorship for visas is not provided. Unfortunately, owing to the high number of applications received, we can only provide feedback to applicants selected for interview.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).

Should you wish to discuss this opportunity further, please contact the Recruitment Team by email to recruitment@iukbc.org.uk

Innovate UK Business Connect strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where we can all be ourselves. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in the industry: people of colour, LGBTQ+ community, women, disabled people, people of any age or family status. We know that diversity makes us stronger and we strive to create a working environment that is inclusive, and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to removing barriers for individuals with conditions, illnesses or disabilities and we will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process, and in their future role.

If you would like to request any reasonable adjustment, for any part of the recruitment process (including application), please let us know by emailing recruitment@iukbc.org.uk