Project Manager (FTC March 2025)

The job purpose is:

1. to support delivery of the Strategic Portfolio Office function and
2. to deliver high quality projects on behalf of the organisation

The role will be based in our Operations Directorate and will work with all directorates across Innovate UK Business Connect. The role encompasses:

• Delivery of specific aspects of the Strategic Portfolio Office, including supporting the development of Innovate UK Business Connect’s maturity in project management practices and project delivery.
• Project management of (externally facing) priority Innovate UK Business Connect projects, to enable successful delivery, risk reduction and effective resource utilisation.
• Scoping and development of project proposals and plans for both internal purposes and in regard to IUK Business Connect’s Managed
• Programmes, including providing advice to colleagues.
• Management of project work packages or delivery of specific project tasks, including supporting delivery of projects managed by another project lead.

The role will suit an individual who enjoys delivering a varied portfolio of projects, often being deployed at short notice to provide the necessary expertise to shape, drive and deliver projects – these could be internal projects to design and implement new processes in support of SPO objectives or working with externally facing Innovate UK Business Connect teams to enable successful delivery of projects through application of project management expertise. The individual may be involved in several projects simultaneously or deployed for a period of up to six months or more on a single project. As such there is the opportunity to gain significant experience in the full range of activities in Innovate UK Business Connect and develop an expertise on deploying best practice in project management to deliver demanding projects on time, within budget and to customer expectation.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Delivery of specific aspects of the Strategic Portfolio Office’s service catalogue, including supporting the development of Innovate UK Business Connect’s maturity in project management practices and project delivery.
• Contributing to the development of IUK Business Connect’s project and portfolio management toolset.
• Managing communications with all stakeholders.
• Coaching and mentoring of colleagues in application of project management methodologies and tools.
• Manage priority Innovate UK Business Connect projects including budget, risk, resourcing, reporting and benefit tracking.
• 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.
• To track progress of projects to determine outcomes resulting from Innovate UK Business Connect interventions, seeking case studies and metrics (KPI) capture.

Experience & Skills

Essential experience

• Degree level or demonstrable equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Project Management qualification (e.g. APM Project Fundamentals) or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering projects or programmes to challenging timeframes in a multi-party environment.
• Experience of delivering Project Management Office function(s) within a business environment.
• Experience of working in projects to deliver innovation in a commercial environment.
• Demonstrable financial and budget responsibility for projects and programmes.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, with a good profile and personal network in the innovation landscape.

Desirable Experience

• Managing remote programme delivery teams.
• Understanding of public funding programmes and/or private finance.

Skills

• Excellent time management, facilitation and organisational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate confidently and build effective relationships.
• Team player with excellent 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.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Exemplary attention to detail.

Benefits & how to apply

• This role has a salary of £34,215 to £40,000
• 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 31st March 2025.

This advert will close on Friday 26th July, though some circumstances may require us to close earlier, so early application is advised.

First stage interviews will be held w/c 5th August.

Second stage interviews will be held w/c 12th August.

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 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.