Diversity & Inclusion Partner
Purpose of the role
IUK KTN is committed to Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) throughout our organisation and is one of core priorities. D&I is embedded throughout our organisational strategy, including our People Strategy and through the projects and programmes we deliver for and with our clients and partners.
Diversity is essential if we are to maximise positive change through innovation. IUK KTN plays a pivotal role in creating the diverse connections to drive such a positive change.
IUK KTN works with strategic partners and clients on taking collective action to ensure that innovation is driven from a more diverse base that supports better innovation outcomes and helps the UK become a leading nation in diversity and inclusion nationally and globally.
This role will involve managing the delivery of key Innovate UK Equality, Diversity and Inclusion programmes for example Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation, Young Innovators, Inclusive Innovation or Unlocking Potential awards, as well as working across programmes associated with the new No Limits mission.
The role will also help develop, deliver and communicate IUK KTN’s D&I Plan both internally and externally.
You will manage cross organisational projects, tracking and meeting IUK KTN key performance indicators, and engage with Innovate UK, UKRI and other relevant government departments, research councils, and leadership bodies around the UK and globally.
You will work closely with IUK KTN’s Reach and Engagement team together with broad engagement across the IUK KTN sector teams. Key stakeholders and networks will be identified and engaged for opportunities of mutual interest and positive change. Activities could also include events, training workshops, webinars and surveys.
The role will report into the Senior Diversity and Inclusion Partner and will work closely with other members of the D&I team, and the Innovate UK EDI team.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Manage selected client ED&I focused projects including budget, risk, resourcing and reporting.
- Planning and designing projects and proactively monitoring progress, resolving issues and initiating appropriate corrective action
- Management of project work packages or delivery of specific project tasks, including supporting delivery of projects managed by another project lead;
- Managing relationships and communications with stakeholders
- Ensure programme and project goals are identified – and met – in areas including client satisfaction, quality, and impact.
- Designing and delivering programme activities such as events, workshops, webinars and surveys.
- Engage with teams across IUK KTN, for example Reach and Engagement and Sector teams on promoting the benefits and understanding of D&I to diverse audiences including the preparation of material and the use of various media
- Work with the IUK KTN CRM system to capture and promote diverse networks and individuals for engagement across all IUK KTN sectors and UK regions.
- Support the development, monitoring, and implementation of IUK KTN’s D&I Plan through associated programmes and projects consistent with IUK KTN’s published Strategy
- Maintaining oversight of budgets, monitoring expenditure and costs against benefits as the programme is delivered
- Co-ordination of new capability for the business to enable effective change and realisation of benefits.
- Develop new projects and programmes to support the strategic direction of the organisation, including potential support to writing funding proposals to deliver D&I programmes for new and/or existing clients
- Display and maintain a good understanding of D&I best practice that can be incorporated within IUK KTN and our external networks.
Experience & Skills
Experience
- Demonstrable experience of delivering projects or programmes to challenging timeframes in a multi-party environment (Essential)
- Demonstrable relevant experience in a field directly related to D&I (Essential)
- Demonstrable understanding and application of D&I best practice (Essential)
- Demonstrable experience of stakeholder engagement and management (Essential)
- Demonstrable experience in business development and organising and delivering events and workshops (Essential)
- Understanding of public funding programmes and/or private finance (Desirable)
- Demonstrable financial and budget responsibility for projects and programmes (Desirable)
Skills
- Proven time management, facilitation and organisational skills (Essential)
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate confidently and build effective relationships (Essential)
- Team player with excellent relationship building and influencing skills; enjoys working in a collaborative manner in an open, honest, and diverse environment (Essential)
- Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively across multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholders, explaining complicated matters simply (Essential)
- High level of IT literacy (Essential)
- Excellent numerical and analytical skills (Essential)
- Exemplary attention to detail (Essential)
Benefits & how to apply
- This role has a salary of £35,000 to £42,000 depending on skills & experience
- 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 29th September, though some circumstances may require us to close earlier, so early application is advised.
First stage interviews will be held w/c 2nd October.
Second stage interviews will be held w/c 9th October.
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.
This role will be home based (UK) or office based (Edinburgh, Harwell, London) with 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 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.
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.