Head of Investment

Finance is a key enabler for innovation to flourish from initial invention to transforming markets. Significant finance for innovation is provided by the public sector, such as UKRI Innovate UK grant programmes or debt and equity programmes via the British Business Bank, however, there is a clear need for investment from the private sector. This need is increasingly exacerbated by the scale and urgency of societal and environmental challenges the world and we all face.

Against this backdrop the investment team at Innovate UK Business Connect exists to increase private investment in UK innovation and in our Future Economy, and to increase investor connectivity and diversity across the UK innovation ecosystem at regional, national and international level.

Purpose of the role

To design, co-ordinate and lead a portfolio of activities which establish Innovate UK Business Connect as a leader for private investor and financial markets engagement in innovation across the Innovate UK System. To stimulate the greater consideration and inclusion of private investment and financial markets by innovation stakeholders across all markets and to build investor engagement capability across the Innovate UK System (Innovate UK, Innovate UK Business Connect, Innovate UK Business Growth, Catapults) to drive more investment into UK innovation.

Reporting to the Director, you will be responsible for developing plans for delivery; leadership and management of the Investment team to optimise delivery; management of resources, including team and budgetary resource.

This role will involve leading and contributing to change programs through the Senior Management Team, talent and capability development, working across with other Heads to deliver multi-disciplinary and multi-sector projects.

The role will have an important external presence for Innovate UK Business Connect. Recognised as a thought leader, you will establish and maintain key strategic relationships and develop external networks to enable fulfilment of Innovate UK Business Connect’s investment ambitions.

Roles & Responsibilities

You will lead a high-performing and effective team to:

• Design and deliver knowledge sharing and networking programmes and activities that build Innovate UK Business Connect’s powerful connections with investors to drive positive change.
• Leverage investment to the benefit of business-led innovation from Innovate UK and other public and private sources.
• Develop Innovate UK’s and Innovate UK Business Connect’s recognition across the investment and financial industries as the UK’s leading catalyst for innovation.
• Support colleagues across the Innovate UK System (Innovate UK, Innovate UK Business Connect, Innovate UK EDGE, Catapult Centres) to develop and embed investor engagement capabilities to realise further effective programme development and generate greater impact to its stakeholders and beneficiaries.
• Develop and deliver relevant parts of the Innovate UK Business Connect Annual Work Plan, including meeting client plans, developing new areas and generating new and appropriate opportunities for Innovate UK Business Connect revenue where relevant.
• Develop and manage a high performing team, well engaged with Innovate UK Business Connect values and to a level where they can act with (agreed) autonomy in meeting project goals.
• Champion diversity and inclusion in all we do so that people feel supported and valued.
• Maintain strong relationships with relevant teams in Innovate UK and other key stakeholders.
• Support career development of staff, with particular emphasis on experience across communities and maintaining or enhancing technical, market or functional capability.
• Work collegiately with colleagues to deliver best practice in areas such as knowledge transfer, innovation, events delivery, communications, project management.
• Contribute as a member of the senior management team promoting Innovate UK Business Connect values and behaviours and delivering change programmes.
• Support KPI delivery and provide regular reporting of activity and outcomes.
• Deliver oversight of programmes and projects – ensuring delivery In Full, On Time, To Budget, and To Quality.
• Identifying and developing stories that exemplify (and quantify where possible) Innovate UK Business Connect’s contribution to positive outcomes and impact.

Experience & Skills

Experience

• Technical qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Demonstrable experience in business environments that span a range of functions including R&D, innovation, growth and particularly business finance, such as angel investments, venture capital, private equity, corporate venturing, debt finance, institutional finance, project finance, investment markets, etc. (Desirable: FCA regulatory experience).
• Demonstrable experience in line management delivering investment in innovation across sectors and industries.
• Recognised as a thought leader in the area with demonstrable experience of managing investment 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.
• Thorough understanding of UK investment industries and well networked across investment and innovation stakeholders with strong personal connections to senior figures.

Skills

• Member of key networks/professional bodies if relevant or required.
• Investment acumen, a creative mindset and thorough understanding of the tools, approaches and methodologies deployed across the investment and innovation sectors.
• Demonstrable track record of managing multiple concurrent events, projects, and programmes to time, budget and quality.
• Financially astute with experience of managing budgets/P&Ls and ability to provide detailed budget planning and delivery.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, with ability to translate complex topics for a broad audience.
• 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.
• Visual communicator with excellent writing and presentation skills, able to translate complex topics into engaging content for a diverse audience.
• High level of IT literacy.

Leadership

• 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.
• Ability to make effective decisions and taking responsibility for decisions, ensuring people and teams deliver on time and meet expectations.

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 Friday 4th October though some circumstances may require us to close earlier, so early application is advised.

First stage interviews to be held w/c 14th October.

Second stage interviews to be held w/c 21st 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.

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.