Knowledge Transfer Manager – Transport Infrastructure

Innovate UK Business Connect Transport Priority themes

The Transport Team at Innovate UK Business Connect have four priority areas:

1) Zero Emission Transport

Our aim is to help expedite the transition to zero emission transport, this means focusing on not only carbon emissions but non-CO2 and particulates. We will connect innovators to the right experts, services, technology and finance to develop their project. We will use insight and intelligence to inform our focus areas to build and strengthen zero emission supply chains.

2) Automation

Automation is a key enabler to reducing emissions, improving efficiencies in movements, and improving safety across the modes. We work to translate the technologies developed in the automotive industry to other modes and build the supply chains to maximise deployment commercialisation.

3) Connected Transport

Digital and physical connectivity creates a more efficient transport system. We work with businesses to help them leverage data, digital technologies and create new business models to generate a more seamless door-to-door transport system.

4) Accessible and Inclusive Transport

Everyone has the right to access transport. Disabilities impact 13.9 million people in the UK with a lack of accessible transport constituting a significant barrier to life. We work with transport operators, innovators, and disability communities to implement novel technologies, business models and services to ensure transport is accessible by all.

Purpose of the Role

Infrastructure is a key enabler to transition to zero emission transport and creating an efficient transport system that is fully accessible and inclusive to all.

The global market for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) is set to reach $57.85bn by 2032 with the UK investing £11.4mn to enable bi-directional charging alongside £200mn in zero emission HGVs. The role will require working with Innovate UK and government on the Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) and Zero Emission HGV & Infrastructure Demonstration programmes as well as defining new programmes of work against our four Transport Priority Themes to deliver tangible results. Due to the complex and underpinning nature of infrastructure, the post holder will collaborate across the Transport Team and wider Innovate UK system.

This role will require a visionary leader and self-starter able to identify solutions to deliver tangible results and operate across senior industry and government representatives to influence policy and investment decisions.

Roles & Responsibilities

• In collaboration with Innovate UK and government, deliver the Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) and Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstration programmes: providing technical input, engaging and influencing senior leaders across industry, research organisations, and academia and influencing policy and investment decisions.
• Effectively engage with senior industry and government representatives to proactively drive solution-focused outcomes to enable the deployment of new infrastructure solutions.
• Creating strategy and delivery plans to enable implementation of new transport infrastructure solutions.
• Draft correspondence, produce presentations, meeting minutes and reports with technical context aimed at senior industry and government representatives and with a high attention to detail.
• Deliver on key business metrics agreed with the line manager, and to track progress, capturing outcomes and impact.
• Work with colleagues across the Innovate UK system and in the Net Zero domain on relevant programmes of work as they arise.
• Work with colleagues in the Reach and Engagement Directorate to deliver high impact and high-profile workshops and conferences to drive transformative outcomes.

Experience & Skills

Essential Experience

• Demonstrable leadership, knowledge and industry experience in electric vehicle charging and/or other transport infrastructure environment.
• Experience of operating in an innovation ecosystem.
• Degree educated or equivalent.
• Proven ability to matrix manage /lead teams to deliver on programme objectives.
• Good understanding of government policies and research and innovation strategies.
• Confident working closely with diverse senior leaders or groups internally and externally, with an ability to persuade, influence and motivate people and teams at all levels.
• Able to produce accurate written documents in a variety of styles to a very high standard.
• Demonstrable financial expertise to provide effective management of project budgets.
• Confident in working closely with diverse senior leaders or groups internally and
• Strong analytical and problem solving.

Desirable Experience

• Experience and/or demonstrable knowledge of transport planning and design.
• Awareness and experience of the innovation grant funding landscape.
• Experience of working with Distribution Network Operators.

Skills

• Effective communicator
• Analytical
• Excellent attention to detail
• Leadership of teams of people through projects involving innovation
• 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

Leadership

• Strong leadership capability with the ability to motivate and inspire others
• 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 £46,367 to £52,000 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 25th October though some circumstances may require us to close earlier, so early application is advised.

First stage interviews to be held w/c 4th & 11th November.

Second stage interviews to be held w/c 2nd December.

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.