Knowledge Transfer Manager Innovation Adoption (FTC March 2025)

Purpose of the Role

Climate change is one of the most pressing problems of our time, it affects everyone. There is no more important priority for us as an economy or society, than our drive towards achieving Net Zero. Without taking urgent action, we are at risk of causing further irreversible damage to our planet.

Net Zero is at the heart of our work and one of our strategic priorities for Innovate UK Business Connect. We have an extensive cross-sector net zero innovation programme and we are looking for a new Knowledge Transfer Manager to join our team to support the delivery of our Adopt and Accelerate programme.

This programme has been designed to accelerate the adoption of new innovations by business, as well as the ‘diffusion’ of these innovations to drive positive impact across new industrial sectors and regions of the UK.

This role will also support the wider Net Zero team in helping shape and deliver future net zero innovation initiatives.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Support the implementation and delivery of the Adopt and Accelerate programme, working effectively with relevant team members internally as well as key stakeholders externally
• Promote the benefits of Innovate UK Business Connect and innovation within a business context with a particular emphasis on net zero, including the preparation of promotional material and the use of various media for example, capture success stories from projects and workshops for case studies and impact measure, produce articles for newsletters, blogs of interest.
• Liaise closely with Innovate UK Business Connect staff across all sectors and technologies to ensure a good understanding of other sector activities, to ensure well informed and integrated working within the net zero area and to identify areas of opportunity and collaboration for the diffusion programme.
• As required provide support to shaping and supporting the ongoing development and delivery of the Innovate UK Business Connect Net Zero Programme.
• To be compelling as a facilitator, coordinating and engaging with internal and external stakeholders for effective programme delivery.
• To directly engage with businesses and relevant stakeholders, providing support through knowledge transfer, making relevant new connections and facilitating impactful collaborations.
• To plan and deliver dissemination, scoping and networking meetings and events in collaboration with Reach & Engagement colleagues, encouraging cross-sector involvement.
• Undertake necessary administrative duties including the timely completion of accurate reports, meeting minutes, timesheets and expenses.
• Maintain and disseminate an up-to-date view of the industry and application areas, including technology developments, key innovators, market trends/needs and business funding opportunities to support net zero innovation.
• To actively promote and embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) in all work and support the organisational initiatives, policies and procedures on ED&I.

Experience & Skills

Essential experience

• Degree qualified or equivalent and/or relevant industry experience
• Strong understanding of the UK innovation landscape, ideally cross-sectorial, with specific expertise in Net Zero, place-based innovation, and innovation adoption
• Demonstrable understanding of knowledge transfer and experience of facilitating industry collaboration
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement
• Good writing and presentation skills, with ability to translate complex topics for a broad audience

Desirable experience

• Demonstrated ability to create a compelling business case
• Project Management qualification and/or relevant experience such as experience of delivering complex projects

Skills

• 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.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively across multi disciplinary teams and stakeholders, explaining complicated matters simply.
• High level of IT literacy, with excellent administrative and organisational skills.
• Enjoys working in a collaborative manner in an open, honest, and diverse environment.
• Flexible, reliable, and adaptable with good time management skills.
• Subject to any restrictions prevailing at the time, willingness and ability to undertake domestic travel when required.

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 Wednesday 15th May though some circumstances may require us to close earlier, so early application is advised.

First stage interviews will be held w/c 20th May.

Second stage interviews will be held w/c 27th 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.

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.