Innovation Manager - Smart Materials & Textiles

Job Title - Knowledge Transfer Manager (Innovation Manager) - Smart Materials and Textiles

Contract - Permanent

Hours - Full time (37.5 hours)

Location - Home based (UK)

Salary - £34,215 - £40,000 pa

Purpose of the Role

We are looking for a determined individual with current and relevant knowledge and experience in materials to join our Materials and Manufacturing team. The role will provide technical capability in the field of smart materials and textiles, providing support to companies developing and/or using smart materials, particularly for technical textiles and smart wearable applications.

The postholder will be responsible for the delivery of innovation support for the Textiles sector, including links with the Fashion industries. The role will also support our cross-sector efforts to address the role of materials in a circular economy. This will include contributing to our materials strategy for net zero and input into our work looking at critical materials and resilient supply chains.

We are seeking to recruit an exceptional individual to help deliver knowledge transfer and related activities, aimed at stimulating innovation and sustainable developments which will contribute to our overarching strategic aims to drive positive change for the UK economy and society. The suitable candidate will be required to address Innovate UK Business Connect KPIs, with particular attention to business innovation, interactions and engagement with relevant universities, technology centres and design groups conducting research in the field of smart materials and applications in the textiles and fashion sector.

Key responsibilities

• Work within the Materials and Manufacturing team to understand the materials technology needs 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.
• Build and maintain a dynamic textiles community, including having a good understanding of the innovation landscape in the area.
• Lead and be a team member in specific tasks which exploit new capabilities in smart materials, textiles and critical materials.
• Engage with businesses directly and provide support through knowledge transfer, making relevant new connections and facilitating collaborations.
• Implement knowledge transfer activities, such as themed workshops, to deliver to key priority areas, including materials circularity, critical materials and substitution opportunities using smart materials.
• Plan and deliver dissemination, scoping and networking events and workshops, ensuring diversity and inclusion as well as encouraging cross-community involvement where possible.
• Delivery of Innovate UK Business Connect KPIs, thought leadership articles, project proposals and capturing success stories from projects and workshops for case studies and impact measures.
• Work across Innovate UK Business Connect, to maximise opportunities for cross-sector and multidisciplinary collaboration and innovation in support of the UK Textile and Fashion sector.
• Gather and analyse evidence from companies and industry bodies to inform strategic priorities for smart materials and for the textiles and fashion sector. Develop and maintain knowledge of potential high growth businesses in or able to exploit innovations in these priority areas.

Essential Experience

• Technical qualification (PhD or equivalent) in materials science, materials physics or materials engineering.
• Technical and business experience in one or more of the focused areas of smart materials, critical materials and textiles.
• Experience of working across sectors and disciplines to support the delivery of complex projects or programmes.

Desirable Experience

• Demonstrated experience in the application of smart materials into systems with an understanding of how these systems may be exploited for environmental, social and economic benefits.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, with good external profile.

Skills

• High level of IT literacy and organisational skills.
• Highly motivated, self-starting and results oriented individual with a strong desire to deliver economic and societal impacts through collaborative partnerships.
• Team player with good relationship building and influencing skills; enjoys working in a collaborative manner in an open, honest, 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.

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 £34,215 to £40,000 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 1st November though some circumstances may require us to close earlier, so early application is advised.

First stage interviews to be held w/c 11th November

Second stage interviews to be held w/c 18th November.

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.