Knowledge Transfer Manager Energy and Built Environment (FTC March 2025)

Innovate UK Business Connect Clean Energy & Built Environment team

The Clean Energy & Built Environment (CE&BE) team addresses innovation needs across the clean energy and built environment sectors. It has a systems approach spanning renewable generation, including wind; nuclear; batteries; thermal; hydrogen; sustainable construction; and the integration of energy and infrastructure. This activity is delivered in close collaboration with sector teams such as Transport, Chemistry, Materials, and Industrial Technologies.

Purpose of the Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join the Clean Energy & Built Environment team to help deliver Innovation Exchange (iX), a key enabling initiative through which IUK BC provides cross-sector impact. iX uses a challenge-led innovation approach to link organisations that have ‘here and now’ challenges with a broad, cross-sectorial innovation community. Thus, iX connects stakeholders who would otherwise not meet to solve technical challenges through innovation and joined-up thinking. The challenge holders and solution providers alike could be large enterprises, SMEs, public bodies or academia.

The successful candidate will identify potential challenge holders, ideally utilising their own network or contacts, and lead them through the iX process to the point at which they can engage with potential solution providers. This will involve organising and running technical discussions with senior stakeholders, identifying cross-sector synergies, and managing multi-player projects. In addition, the role holder will work with colleagues across IUK BC to (i) progress and convert a pipeline of potential challenges and (ii) extend the reach to potential solution providers.

iX has a core focus on Clean Energy, Water & Infrastructure challenges and is, in effect, a Net Zero-oriented programme which links to IUK BC Transport, Agri, Chemistry & Industrial Biotech, Defence, Health and Global Alliance communities. The post holder will, therefore, need a good technical background in energy systems, clean energy, Built Environment/construction or water as a utility, while demonstrating the breadth of thinking to spot, articulate and develop cross-sectoral opportunities.

In addition to the above, the role involves providing innovation support to companies working in clean energy, infrastructure, water and associated industries as part of the broader IUK BC remit. This will involve driving knowledge transfer between the science base and industry, promoting networking and enabling innovation.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver Innovation Exchange (iX) challenges across a range of sectors
• Support colleagues across IUK BC in the conversion of pending iX challenges and pipeline.
• Identify and monitor trends and opportunities for innovation through interaction with business and the technology base.
• Facilitate networking opportunities for industry to meet with peers and potential collaborators through the organisation of workshops and meetings.
• Meet with companies, research institutions and universities, in the UK, to understand their innovation needs and capabilities (face to face or online).
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with external stakeholders, departments, forums, and groups active in related areas.
• Deliver and assist in the support of funding streams related to industrial challenges and other innovation support mechanisms
• Promote the benefits of IUK BC and innovation within a business context to the UK sector including the preparation of promotional material and the use of various media.
• Produce articles for newsletters, blogs of interest to our members and similar media.
• Organise meetings, workshops and networking events in a variety of commercial and scientific areas.
• Undertake necessary administrative duties including the timely completion of accurate reports, meeting minutes, timesheets and expenses.
• The role will require regular UK travel including overnight at times.

Experience & Skills

Essential experience 

• Degree level educated (or equivalent), preferably in a science or engineering discipline
• Ability to bring together stakeholders to deliver on a project or task
• An understanding of energy, infrastructure and water technologies and their interplay with other sectors, in addition to the sector landscapes & current trends

Desirable experience

• A post-graduate degree (or equivalent) and/or industrial experience in the clean energy, built environment or water sectors.
• Business development or Tech Transfer experience
• Experience organising & delivering events and/or workshops
• Well-networked to potential challenge holders
• Awareness of open innovation and its delivery
• Awareness of the innovation grant funding landscape (e.g., Innovate UK)

Skills 

• Readily identifies business opportunities & delivers a programme of work to advance the knowledge base or business innovation
• Excellent interpersonal & communication skills, including well-developed written & verbal skills, with the ability to translate complex topics for a broad audience
• Excellent presentation skills both in a physical environment and using a full range of on-line tools and techniques.
• Goal-orientated and motivated
• Proactivity and comfort operating in an evolving landscape
• Ability to work alone & part of a team
• Able to work concurrently on multiple and/or large-scale projects
• Ability to prioritise & meet deadlines
• IT literate with good working knowledge of Microsoft packages

Benefits & how to apply

• This role has a salary of £34,215 to £40,000 pa depending on 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 is a fixed term contract until the end of March 2025.

This advert will close on Tuesday 28th May though some circumstances may require us to close earlier, so early application is advised.

First stage interviews to be held w/c 3rd June

Second stage interviews to be held w/c 10th June

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.