Director of Semiconductors, Connectivity and Cyber

Job summary

The Secure and Resilient Growth Directorate leads and manages Innovate UK’s programme for 3 of the UK government’s priority Frontier Technologies: Advanced Connectivity Technologies, Semiconductors and Cyber-security. The role sits as part of the Digital and Technologies growth sector and there will be opportunities to work closely with activities in Quantum, AI and Engineering Biology in an overarching programme worth around £2bn over the next 4 years.

We are looking for an individual with extensive experience, connections, and personal characteristics, to command credibility from a diverse range of stakeholders. The Director will play a key role in shaping the success, strategy, and future objectives within the Security and Resilience portfolio including cyber-security, advanced connectivity technologies , robotics, and semiconductors/electronics. This role has a significant focus on budget and people, where the role holder will be accountable for an annual budget of around £150m, with a team of c.25

Job description

• Develop Innovate UK’s strategy for growing companies in the secure and resilient growth area in conjunction with, and informed by Domain Senior Leadership and IUK SLT, ensuring connectivity and alignment across UKRI. Increasingly act as the focal for wider security and dual-use capabilities as directed by corporate strategy.

• Lead on building and fostering relationships/interaction with Place, Global, Products & Services, IUK Business Connect and Catapults (including being the prime technical interface with the Compound Semiconductors Catapult), in the pursuit of delivery and programmes and competitions.

• Provide strategic guidance and leadership in the delivery of a portfolio of strategic ‘investment programmes’ within the Domain, and industry/company support in developing next generation technologies, products, and services in the area of Security and Resilience.

• Deliver IUK programmes in security and resilience to cost, quality and schedule requirements.

• You will be an industry leader within the context of cyber-security directing the advancement of business-led innovation in this field.

• Build, lead and develop a team of technical and innovation specialists in an environment where change will be common.

• Deputise for Executive Director when required.

Person specification

• The role holder will be a recognised industry leader in at least one of cyber-security, advanced connectivity technologies or semiconductors and ideally several of these.

• They will have demonstrated influence as a thought leader across industry and within government.

• They will have the technical credibility blended with collaboration skills to create and deliver integrated programmes across multiple agencies/bodies including stakeholders of a business and political nature.

• They must have a proven track record of managing high-performance teams and complex programmes through periods of change.

• They will have the proven ability to work at Board and Executive Level.

• They will have previously led the development and implementation of strategic plans and change initiatives.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £94,931, Innovate UK contributes £27,501 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

UKRI can offer the successful candidate:

• Flexible Working
• 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays
• Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme
• Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider

Visit our dedicated benefits webpage for more info: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

To find out more about the role and submit an application please click 'apply' and visit our careers site.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Senior Appointments Team
• Email : seniorrecruitment@ukri.org

Recruitment team

• Email : seniorrecruitment@ukri.org