Purpose of the role
A wide range of critical minerals are required for the technologies and innovation required to decarbonise the transport, energy and industrial sectors and achieve the UK’s Net Zero ambitions. These minerals and others have been identified as having high criticality for the UK in the recent Resilience for the Future: The United Kingdom’s Critical Minerals Strategy report.
The Circular Critical Materials Supply Chains programme, delivered by Innovate UK, supports the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy and aims to build and develop resilient supply chains to address this strategically important area with an initial focus on rare earth elements.
Innovate UK Business Connect is also working across several other important programmes – e.g. the Cross-Sector Battery Systems and the Hydrogen Economy Innovation Networks – to better understand the opportunity to develop resilient supply chains for critical materials and accelerate innovation.
Innovate UK Business Connect is now seeking to recruit a personable and goal-orientated individual with relevant background, experience and leadership qualities to lead and help deliver the Circular Critical Materials Supply Chains programme. This individual will also have the opportunity to contribute to programmes associated with accelerating commercialisation of energy storage technologies (batteries, hydrogen).
Roles & Responsibilities
- To work with our partners at Innovate UK at a strategic level to co-lead the development and delivery of the Circular Critical Materials Supply Chains programme which aims to support the development of innovation in primary (mine to magnet) and secondary (End of Life to magnet) supply chains. The programme will coordinate and deliver activities within the following areas; international collaboration, skills development, investment (public and private), policy advice and standards development.
- Track progress across the programme and the delivery team, including managing budgets and reporting on KPIs and milestones.
- Design and deliver Thought Leadership activities (e.g. blogs, podcasts).
- Lead/manage events and workshops to help inform the programme and convene the innovation community.
- Use your knowledge and skills to support colleagues on strategy and delivery of the Cross-Sector Battery Systems & Hydrogen Economy Innovation Networks, and other programmes as needed.
- Directly engage with stakeholders from the community including businesses, researchers and Government.
Essential Experience
- Technical background in applied inorganic chemistry, or a related discipline in the critical materials value chain (e.g. battery materials development)
- Experience working inside the chemicals/ materials chemistry/ critical materials industry or with the industry (e.g. as a consultant or with a Research and Training Organisation or industry association)
- Demonstrable experience of stakeholder engagement/ management
- Demonstrable experience of project management
- Demonstrable leadership experience
Desirable Experience
- Familiarity with the UK innovation ecosystem and a strong network across Gov, industry, research
Skills
- Highly motivated, self-starting and results oriented individual with leadership qualities
- Team player with good relationship building and influencing skills; enjoys working in a collaborative manner in an open and diverse environment
- Strong communicator with well-developed written and verbal skills, able to translate complex topics for a broad audience
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with and understand the needs and capabilities with stakeholders across a range of technical and/or industrial disciplines
- Knowledgeable about the challenges and opportunities in developing supply chains for critical materials
- High level of IT literacy and organisational skills
Benefits & how to apply
- This role has a salary of £46,367 to £52,000 pa
- 28 days annual leave plus 10.5 bank and public holidays
- Enhanced Pension Plan
- Life Assurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Wider Wallet employee benefits high street discounts scheme
- Opportunities for continuous professional development as part of our Talent & Development Programme
This advert will close on Thursday 29th February though some circumstances may require us to close earlier, so early application is advised.
First stage interviews will be held on Thursday 7th March.
Second stage interviews will be held w/c 18th March.
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 and ongoing 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.
Should you wish to discuss this opportunity further, please contact the Recruitment Team by email to recruitment@iuk.ktn-uk.org.
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@iuk.ktn-uk.org.