Innovate UK KTN
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 KTN 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.
About the team
The Industrial Technologies and Manufacturing (IT&M) team delivers Innovate UK KTN strategy in a cross-cutting manner with electronics, sensors, photonics, and manufacturing technologies at the core. Electronics covers a wide range of technologies from energy efficient computing to power electronics, machines, and drives. Sensors embraces all sensing technologies such as environmental monitoring for climate change science to sensors used to enable connected and autonomous vehicle operation. Photonics supports communities working the areas of laser technologies, photonic integrated circuits, and computing. Manufacturing supports all the activities surrounding productivity and digitalisation of the UK manufacturing sector under the Innovate UK Made Smarter programme, circular economies and Net Zero.
Purpose of the role
This role will deliver knowledge transfer and other activities aimed at stimulating innovation in Industrial Technologies and Manufacturing (ITM) team specific sectors, technologies, or cross-cutting themes with potential to growth in the UK economy.
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.
On a day-to-day basis, you will work with others 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.
This includes the design and delivery of first-class events, the creation and publication of thought leadership media content, contributing to the marketing and communications strategy and outputs and diligent reporting into Innovate UK KTN systems.
You will contribute to Innovate UK KTN’s success, working with colleagues on cross-sector collaboration projects, meeting Innovate UK KTN KPIs, supporting the development of bids and proposals and engaging with Innovate UK, UKRI and other relevant government departments, research councils, and leadership bodies around the UK and globally.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Work within the Industrial Technologies and Manufacturing (ITM) team to understand the innovation needs and opportunities for growth of UK industry and the scientific capabilities of the research base, facilitating the transfer of knowledge within and between these groups and the establishment of collaborations.
- Support the wider ITM team in the delivery of key Innovate UK projects such as Made Smarter, Driving the Electric Revolution and Analysis for Innovators.
- Understand and facilitate access to innovation support mechanisms for businesses and to help develop funding and investment applications.
- Promote the benefits of Innovate UK KTN and innovation within a business context to the specific sector, including the preparation of promotional material and the use of various media.
- Develop and lead cross-community activity within Innovate UK KTN to help industry to create value for UK businesses.
- Liaise closely with Innovate UK KTN 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.
- Capture success stories from projects and workshops for case studies and impact measure
- Promote diversity and inclusion both within Innovate UK KTN and across engaged sectors
Requirements
Experience
- Degree qualification or equivalent industry experience
- Experience of working in a technical/research/business support programme delivery role
- Good level of understanding and knowledge of some of the ITM key technologies of relevance to the role
- Knowledge of a sector focus within ITM, including key companies and sector dynamics
- Demonstrable understanding of knowledge transfer and experience of industry-academia collaboration
- Understanding of the importance of networks
- Demonstrable project management skills
- Good writing and presentation skills, with ability to translate complex topics for a broad audience
- 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
Benefits
- This role has a salary between £29,000 - £35,000 pa depending on experience.
- 28 days annual leave plus 8 bank 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 Friday 8th July 2022 though some circumstances may require us to close earlier, so early application is advised.
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.
The postholder will be home based or out of our London, Harwell or Edinburgh offices with frequent UK travel.
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@ktn-uk.org.
Innovate UK KTN 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.