Innovation Lead Connectivity Systems

Job summary

Job Purpose:

As an Innovation Lead, this role will be responsible for developing and delivering specific interventions that support the implementation of an innovation strategy for the Connectivity Systems sector, initially focused on Private 5G and Assured Integration of Standalone Non-Public Networks (SNPN), working with partners and under the direction of the Head.

Connectivity Systems are a foundational and critical enabling technology for a vast range of UK industries. They are the systems that provide the networking solution for operational technology across industry. This role is fundamental in delivering interventions that help the UK’s Connectivity Systems sector thrive, including contributing to the national ambition for leadership in Advanced Connectivity and driving growth in key sectors.

We particularly welcome female applicants as women are under-represented within Innovate UK in this type of role.

Job description

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Act as a key member of the Innovate UK team for your sector, and a primary point of contact for businesses and stakeholders related to your specific programme areas.
• Support the Head with the ongoing development and implementation of the innovation strategy for your sector.
• Ensure implementation of the strategy to enable industry to develop and commercialise new products, processes, business models and services.
• Ensure that your understanding of the sector remains up to date as technologies and markets evolve, feeding this intelligence into strategy refreshes.
• Lead on the delivery of specific aspects of the strategy: both accelerating the growth of UK companies that design and integrate Connectivity Systems, and supporting the adoption of these systems by UK-based OEMS and end-users.
• Support the development of a UK ecosystem of systems integrators capable of deploying advanced connectivity solutions in operational environments.
• Deliver appropriate interventions to bring this about: leading 'fund' or 'connect' activities in the area, and ensuring that resources are targeted at the companies and technology areas most likely to create impact and economic growth.
• Work closely with relevant bodies - business, Government, academia, trade associations, etc. - in the area, to inform programme delivery and build truly UK-wide innovation programmes.
• Leverage the resources of the wider Innovate UK family (IUKBC, Catapults etc.) in this endeavour.
• Support the creation of the appropriate wider infrastructure for a successful UK Connectivity Systems sector, including contributing to technology roadmaps, standards, and input to future regulation.
• Ensure the programme takes an international perspective on the opportunities; stimulating collaboration across national boundaries where this maximizes the opportunities for UK business.
• Seek and encourage additional investment in the UK’s Connectivity Systems capability, as appropriate.
• Work with the broader team to track, using the tools provided, the progress of the resource investments (financial and other) deployed to monitor impact and inform future portfolio decisions.
• Supporting Innovate UK and Directorate communications activities, representing us at industry events and raising awareness of the innovation opportunities that exist.
• Contribute to the wider implementation of Directorate and Innovate UK strategy; supporting colleagues in the implementation of their programmes where you can.

Person specification

Person Specification:

Experience & Qualifications:

Essential –

• Degree in a relevant science, engineering or related discipline to at least good Honours level, or equivalent experience, with evidence of continued learning. (S)
• Preferably additional business qualifications. (S)
• A sound and up-to-date knowledge of technologies, companies, and applications within the Connectivity Systems domain (in the UK and globally), demonstrated through a mix of experiences. (S&I)
• Of particular interest is experience with the design, integration, and application of complex Connectivity systems. This could include, for example: (S&I)
  • O-RAN architecture
  • Private 5G and specifically Standalone Non-Public Networks (SNPN)
  • Enterprise and Industrial Operation Technology systems
• A strong understanding of the end-user markets that consume Connectivity Systems. This includes key sectors such as Advanced Manufacturing (incorporating automotive and industrial machinery), Defence, Life Sciences, Clean Energy Industries, and the rapidly growing Robotics and Autonomous Systems sector. An awareness of relevant government policies, such as the Smart Machines strategy, and how they apply to these sectors is also required. (S&I)
• Experience in exploiting Connectivity systems commercially, through new product development, system integration, marketing, and manufacturing. (S&I)
• A working knowledge of the UK knowledge transfer activity, demonstrated by collaboration between companies and potentially universities. (S&I)
• Experience tracking impacts and managing a portfolio of activities or investments. (S&I)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,589, Innovate UK contributes £16,973 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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

1st interview incl presentation.

Interviews will either take place remotely via Teams or in person face to face.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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 : Recruitment@ukri.org
• Email : Recruitment@ukri.org

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment@ukri.org