Head of Net Zero

The Head of Net Zero will have an important external presence for Innovate UK Business Connect, recognised as a thought leader in areas relevant to Net Zero, with the ability to understand and articulate challenges and opportunities and recognise the potential for impact between technologies and sectors and between different sectors.

As the Head of Net Zero, you will develop, co-ordinate and lead a portfolio of activities that establish Innovate UK Business Connect as a leader in knowledge sharing and networking programmes, within the Innovate UK system and across Net Zero sectors, building on IUKBC’s powerful connections to drive positive change.

As a head of programmes, you will establish and maintain key strategic relationships and develop external networks to enable fulfilment of IUKBC’s and Innovate UK’s vision for Net Zero: for the UK to prosper from being the fasted transitioning economy to Net Zero.

As a senior manager you will manage a team of highly skilled people and their development as individuals and as IUKBC employees and ensure compliance with company deadlines and procedure. You will contribute to change programmes as a member of IUKBC’s Senior Management Team and work with other Heads to delivery multi-disciplinary and multi-sector projects.

All activities and programmes will be developed and delivered in the context of Innovate UK’s Net Zero Domain, there will be specific emphasis on delivery that is prioritised within the Systems Integration theme, and you will act as senior point-contact and IUKBC representative for this theme.

Roles & Responsibilities

• To develop and deliver IUKBC’s Net Zero team’s project portfolio, including managing the team to effectively deliver existing projects and programmes and generating new opportunities for IUKBC.
• To develop IUKBC’s recognition across the sectors and systems that are relevant to Net Zero, as the UK’s leading connector for innovation within the Innovate UK system. Provide sector expertise to the wider organisation that is relevant within the broader context of Net Zero.
• To support external networks across the Innovate UK system and the UKRI family to develop and embed innovations in Net Zero for UK benefit.
• To develop and deliver relevant parts of the annual IUKBC Delivery Plan, to include meeting client plans, developing new areas (from within and outside the team) and generating new and appropriate opportunities for IUKBC.
• To exploit synergies across sectors, seeking and exploiting cross-cutting opportunities from other sectors and technologies.
• To contribute as a member of the senior management team, providing strategic guidance and challenge to the Director and Executive Team on the future direction of IUKBC, promoting our values and behaviours and delivering change programmes.
• To help set the direction of our work in collaboration with the Director and Innovate UK colleagues whilst maintaining high attention to support for businesses with high growth potential.
• To develop and manage a high performing team, well engaged with IUKBC values and to a level where they can act with (agreed) autonomy in meeting project goals.
• To champion diversity and inclusion in all we do so that people feel supported and valued.
• To maintain strong relationships with relevant counterparts at Innovate UK and other key stakeholders, whilst acting as IUKBC’s senior point contact for the Net Zero – Systems Integration theme within the broader Net Zero Domain.
• To support career development of staff, with particular emphasis on experience across communities and maintaining or enhancing technical, market or functional capability.
• To work collegiately with colleagues to deliver best practice in areas such as knowledge transfer, innovation, events delivery, communications, project management.
• To be responsible for good financial practice, ensuring timely input of timesheets, invoices etc. and delivering to an agreed external budget, observing team expenses claims.
• To support KPI delivery and provide regular reporting of activity and outcomes.

Experience & Skills

Essential experience

• Degree level or equivalent with relevant industry experience in one or more of the following: sectors that are Net Zero challenge owners; sectors that develop and deliver innovative capability and enabling solutions for Net Zero.
• Demonstrable experience and understanding of delivering transformative innovations in Net Zero across sectors and industries.
• Demonstrable experience of managing multi-talented teams, programmes, and projects with active stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrable experience of leading and developing high performing teams located remotely across more than one site.
• Demonstrable skills in working with industry, academic and government stakeholders, to co-develop and deliver projects whilst creating engaging external communications and profile raising.
• Demonstrable experience gained in senior positions in business, across a range of roles or functions involving innovations in Net Zero.

Skills

• A creative and innovative mindset and thorough understanding of the tools, approaches and methodologies that can be effectively deployed to accelerate innovation across industrial sectors with Net Zero ambitions.
• Thorough understanding of the UK industrial landscape relevant to Net Zero
• Well networked across relevant stakeholders with strong personal connections to senior figures.
• An understanding of knowledge transfer, innovation, and R&D.
• Empathetic and empowering team management to deliver agreed targets on individual and team performance.
• Demonstrable track record of managing multiple concurrent events, projects, and programmes.
• Financially astute with experience of business development, successful bid writing and proper management of budgets.
• Visual communicator with excellent writing and presentation skills, able to translate complex topics into engaging content for a diverse audience.
• Strong leadership capability with the ability to motivate and inspire others who further partner and collaborate internally and externally
• Ability to look continuously for opportunities for improvement and to develop strategies for change to influence and shape the future direction of the business

Benefits & how to apply

• This role has a salary of £63,954 to £65,000 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 Monday 26th August though some circumstances may require us to close earlier, so early application is advised.

First stage interviews to be held w/c 9th September.

Second stage interviews to be held w/c 16th September.

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 (UK) 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@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.

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.