Innovation Manager - Aviation

Job Title - Knowledge Transfer Manager (Innovation Manager) - Aviation

Contract - Permanent

Hours - Full time (37.5 hours)

Location - Home based (UK)

Salary - £46,367 to £52,000 pa

Innovate UK Business Connect Transport Priority themes

The Transport Team at Innovate UK Business Connect have four priority areas:

1) Zero Emission Transport

Our aim is to help expedite the transition to zero emission transport, this means focusing on not only carbon emissions but non-CO2 and particulates. We will connect innovators to the right experts, services, technology and finance to develop their project. We will use insight and intelligence to inform our focus areas to build and strengthen zero emission supply chains.

2) Automation

Automation is a key enabler to reducing emissions, improving efficiencies in movements, and improving safety across the modes. We work to translate the technologies developed in the automotive industry to other modes and build the supply chains to maximise deployment commercialisation.

3) Connected Transport

Digital and physical connectivity creates a more efficient transport system. We work with businesses to help them leverage data, digital technologies and create new business models to generate a more seamless door-to-door transport system.

4) Accessible and Inclusive Transport

Everyone has the right to access transport. Disabilities impact 13.9 million people in the UK with a lack of accessible transport constituting a significant barrier to life. We work with transport operators, innovators, and disability communities to implement novel technologies, business models and services to ensure transport is accessible by all.

Purpose of the Role

Domestic aviation is required to reach net zero by 2040 and internationally, by 2050. New solutions in advanced air mobility (AAM) and drones will transform regional connectivity and enable better access to jobs, education, healthcare and services. AAM is estimated to have contributed £78 million in gross value added to the UK economy, and supported around 2,000 jobs in total in 2021. The Future Flight Challenge is a key enabler to the development of the AAM sector in the UK.

This role is complex and diverse, combining traditional aviation and new air mobility solutions. Underpinning the growing demand in air travel and new transport solutions must be sustainability and people by ensuring air travel is accessible and inclusive to all.

This role will require a visionary leader and self-starter able to identify solutions to deliver tangible results and operate across senior industry and government representatives to influence policy and investment decisions.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the Future Flight Challenge programme of work within Innovate UK Business Connect, working with the wider Innovate UK system, senior stakeholders and leading a matrix managed project team to deliver tangible results. To ensure deliverables and milestones are met, identifying avenues to connect consortia to end-users and the value chain, and managing the project budget.
• Creating strategy and delivery plans to enable implementation of new aviation solutions, engaging and influencing senior leaders across industry, research organisations, and academia.
• Work with the Transport Team against the four priority areas, developing new areas of work to deliver impactful outcomes to drive transformation in areas such as multi-modal transport hubs and sustainable airports.
• Effectively engage with senior industry and government representatives to proactively drive solution-focused outcomes to enable the deployment of new aviation solutions.
• Draft correspondence, produce presentations, meeting minutes and reports with technical context aimed at senior industry and government representatives and with a high attention to detail.
• Deputise for the Head of Transport, as required, in senior industry and government meetings, contributing technical content and influencing decision making.
• Deliver on key business metrics agreed with the line manager, and to track progress, capturing outcomes and impact.
• Work with colleagues in the Reach and Engagement Directorate to deliver high impact and high-profile workshops and conferences to drive transformative outcomes.

Essential Experience

• Demonstrable leadership, knowledge and experience of working in the aviation industry, particularly in a research and innovation role, delivering transformative solutions.
• Degree educated, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding or experience of working in advanced air mobility.
• Confident working closely with diverse senior leaders or groups internally and externally, with an ability to persuade, influence and motivate people and teams at all levels.
• Experience of interpreting and analysing government policies and research and innovation strategies.
• Proven ability to matrix manage /lead teams to deliver on programme objectives.
• Able to produce accurate written documents and presentations in a variety of styles to a very high standard.
• Demonstrable financial expertise to provide effective management of project budgets.
• Experience in managing/leading complex projects/programmes.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Able to identify opportunities and design effective activities to deliver business transformation.

Desirable Experience

• Understanding or experience of working with Local Authorities.
• Good working knowledge of multi-modal transport hubs.

Skills

• Effective communicator
• Analytical
• Excellent attention to detail
• Leadership of teams of people through projects involving innovation
• 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 simply

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 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 Friday 18th October though some circumstances may require us to close earlier, so early application is advised.

First stage interviews to be held w/c 21st October & 4th November.

Second stage interviews to be held w/c 2nd & 9th December.

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.

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.