As an Innovation Lead, you will be responsible for developing and implementing, with partners, the innovation strategy for the R&D Missions Accelerator Programme (R&D MAP). This will involve coordinating private, third sector, and government support, taking a key role in the development of future strategic initiatives within this fast-moving programme. You will be commercially minded with significant industry/sector experience, aiming to deliver the objectives of our investments and maximize opportunities for UK businesses in line with the programme's aims. You will report to the Challenge Senior Team and work closely with the wider R&D MAP Hub and Challenge Teams. This position requires a deep understanding of the pathway to commercialisation, technical literacy, business awareness, and strong interpersonal skills. You should be capable of leading thinking in your area of expertise and contributing to the creation and implementation of wider R&D MAP strategies.

Requirements

• Degree in a relevant subject to the Opportunities Mission, or equivalent experience.
• Strong commercial acumen, ideally with commercial experience, particularly in the start-up and innovation space.
• Specific experience in one or more aspects of policy translation and commercialisation of research and innovation across different sectors, such as technology assessment, product development, regulation, and commercialisation routes for new partnerships.
• Proven ability to deliver major and complex programmes to time, cost, and required quality.
• Strong experience in managing relationships with various internal and external stakeholders, including across the third and private sector.
• Demonstrable ability to facilitate cooperation/partnership working, and to work across boundaries.
• Experience tracking impacts and managing a portfolio of activities or investments.
• Familiarity with the wider research, policy, and innovation environment (Desirable).
• Understanding of regulatory pathways for different geographies (Desirable).
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills (Desirable).
• Familiarity with third-sector commercial activity e.g. social enterprises, community interest companies, trading charities (Desirable).
• Technical skills in an area related to the Opportunities mission (Desirable).
• Knowledge and experience of managing projects that aim to improve education, promote social mobility and opportunities for children and young people, and address wider inequalities (Desirable).

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of R&D MAP challenge strategies and funding to enable industry to develop and commercialise new products, processes, business models, and services.
• Build and manage relationships with businesses, trade associations, Catapults, government departments and agencies, private investors, regulatory bodies, and research organisations.
• Work with funding partners and industry groups to ensure alignment of activities to maximise impact on relevant sectors.
• Ensure that resources are targeted at the companies and technology areas most likely to create impact.
• Support communications and engagement activities, representing R&D MAP at leading industry events, raising awareness of the innovation opportunities that exist.
• Support international activities to ensure that UK activity is set in an international context.

Benefits

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.
• Many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable employees to have a great work-life balance.

Application Process

• Please apply online.
• If you experience any issues applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org.
• UKRI sponsors visas. If you require sponsorship, you and any dependants will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role. UKRI may reimburse some or all of these fees after you have become an employee. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

About Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

The R&D Missions Accelerator Programme represents an exceptional opportunity to create real-world impact through R&D investment. The programme will utilise a £500m budget to bring together the private sector, the third sector, and academia to collaboratively develop innovative solutions to public sector problems, resulting in new technologies, services, IP, and more. The programme has been designed to solve the key problems faced by HMG’s five national Missions and enable the delivery of the milestones in the Plan for Change. The Government has identified key problems faced by the UK, to which the R&D Missions Accelerator Programme has designed Research and Innovation (R&I) Challenges to develop solutions. Importantly, these solutions will then be directly utilised in addressing public sector needs. The programme is currently developing its approaches across the Missions, and therefore by joining at this stage, there is a significant opportunity to establish and drive the strategic and operational direction of the programme.

Contact

• Recruitment@ukri.org