Innovation Manager - Emerging & Enabling Technologies (Life Tech)

Job Title - Knowledge Transfer Manager (Innovation Manager) - Emerging & Enabling Technologies (Life Technologies)

Contract - Permanent

Hours - Full time (37.5 hours per week)

Location - Home based (UK)

Salary - £35,926 - £42,000

Purpose of the Role

The Knowledge Transfer Manager – Emerging and Enabling Technologies will lead projects and activities relating to emerging technologies, particularly around Life-Tech (Life Science/Biotech) opportunities. The scope of this role can include, but is not limited to engineering biology, in silico medicine, and technologies that combat AMR. Part of the role will also involve scouting for, and assessing, new technologies.

Working across Innovate UK Business Connect teams and key stakeholder groups, the successful candidate will support a programme of activity that will accelerate the development and uptake of emerging life science and biotech opportunities, in particular where there is convergence with “deeptech” such as quantum and AI.

In alignment with Innovate UK Business Connect’s strategy, the candidate will be expected to support the acceleration of innovation through engaging with academia, industry and relevant stakeholder groups, building their networks of innovators, creating diverse connections to drive positive change, not just in terms of economic prosperity but also through sustainable societal and environmental benefits.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Support the development and delivery of emerging Life-Tech programmes, and support projects across the team
• Engage in horizon scanning activities
• Build and maintain effective professional relationships with stakeholder groups, including Government, business, universities, Catapults and third sectors, to help successfully deliver Innovate UK Business Connect’s Emerging and Enabling Technology programmes
• Engage with businesses directly and provide support through knowledge exchange, making relevant new connections, facilitating collaborations and access to funding.
• Track progress of businesses to determine outcomes resulting from Innovate UK Business Connect interventions, seeking case studies and metrics (KPI) capture.
• Organise meetings, workshops and networking events in a variety of commercial and scientific areas.
• Support KPI delivery and provide regular reporting of activity and outcomes.

Essential Experience

• Degree level or equivalent industrial experience in life science, biotech, or a related discipline such as chemistry.
• A demonstrable track record of knowledge exchange, both in support of collaborative opportunities and in the creation of new opportunities.
• A good working knowledge of the application of technology
• Experience of working across sectors and disciplines to support, lead and manage the delivery of complex projects or programmes.
• Experience and aptitude in connecting business, university, and public-sector.
• A demonstrable track record of project design, leadership, management and delivery.

Desirable Experience

• Experience of “deep tech” such as quantum tech or photonics.
• Experience in the creation and management of technology or innovation networks.

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.
• An open, adaptable and inquisitive mindset, able to take a holistic view and thrive in fast moving and changeable environments.
• A ‘systems thinker’ with the ability to identify innovative opportunities and solutions across highly complex problem spaces.
• 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.
• High level of IT literacy and organisational skills.

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 £35,926 to £42,000 pa
• 28 days annual leave plus 10.5 bank and public holidays
• Enhanced Pension Plan
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Opportunities for continuous professional development as part of our Talent & Development Programme

This advert will close on Wednesday 23rd April.

First stage interviews will be held w/c 5th or 12th May.

Second stage interviews will be held w/c 19th May.

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.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).

Should you wish to discuss this opportunity further, please contact the Recruitment Team by email to recruitment@iukbc.org.uk

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@iukbc.org.uk