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Job summary

Context:

Innovate UK’s Land and Maritime Transport team delivers millions of R&D funding to the UK’s transport sector each year. We provide impact as one of the most significant areas of activity within Innovate UK, especially against aspirations set out in the government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan and Net Zero Strategy.

We work alongside government and industry to enable land and maritime based transport to be zero emission, become smarter and more accessible, while growing the UK’s supply chain.

The role holder will operate within the Innovate UK Technology & Transport which is part of the Innovation Service Directorate.

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

Job Purpose:

In partnership with Government, Innovate UK is committed to decarbonising the maritime and inland waterway sector. This aligns with UK and global aspirations to reach net zero by 2050 for which maritime vessels and the supporting infrastructure play a significant role. As the appointed Innovation Lead you deliver vital interventions into the maritime sector to support future maritime technologies and accelerate the sector’s transition to Net Zero. Your work will cover research and development related to clean propulsion technology, maritime autonomy, smart shipping and enabling clean infrastructure. You will lead and manage Innovate UK’s delivery of this activity and wider work in partnership with government, industry and across UKRI.

The role involves expert thought leadership and the ability to influence and lead industry, government, academia and other key stakeholders and colleagues in driving innovation, boosting business growth and the deliver wider policy aims of UK SHORE The future of UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) - GOV.UK

Job description

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Be Innovate UK’s principal ‘thought leader’ and subject matter expert related to reducing emissions in the maritime sector and maritime vessel autonomous technologies and opportunities.
• Manage the initial portfolio of >100 projects funded from 2026 as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) and Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) Competitions. Act as ‘point of contact’ for senior industry figures within the businesses supported by the CMDC & ZEVI.
• Act as a champion and lead architect of any future multi-year programmes of R&D support in this field and the translation of government Maritime policy goals into impactful interventions that deliver business growth.
• Work closely with business, Government, academia, trade associations (e.g. Maritime UK), standards and regulatory bodies (eg. MCA )etc., to inform programme development and delivery, and build and sustain a globally recognised, UK-wide ‘maritime innovation system’ with continued and significant ambition and delivery capability.
• Support our partners in DfT and DBT in their policy efforts through knowledge of technical, business and social aspects of innovative maritime technologies.
• Ensure the programme takes an international perspective; stimulating collaboration across national boundaries, including those countries who are also active in maritime innovation
• Representing Innovate UK at leading industry events, raising awareness of the innovation opportunities that exist and leading the thinking all aspects of our maritime innovation activities .
• Contribute to the wider implementation of Innovate UK strategy; supporting colleagues in the implementation of their programmes where you can, and ensuring implementation of Innovate UK’s and UKRI overall mission to boost UK innovation and deliver economic and societal impact.

Person specification

Person Specification:

This position requires strong sector relevant technical experience coupled with excellent industry knowledge. Practiced programme management and commercial awareness within a related field should be couple with an ability to manage competing priorities and a complex stakeholder environment. The role holder will need to make sense of multiple data sources, establish underlying patterns and articulate a clear and compelling vision of what needs to be done to influence the maritime industry’s transition towards net zero by 2050 and deliver business impact.

Experience & Qualifications:

Essential –

• Degree level in relevant science, engineering or related discipline (or equivalent experience) (S)
• First hand industry experience including the technical aspects of maritime propulsion (S&I)
• Knowledge of the UK’s maritime strategy and trends in new innovations in this field, including related to the Clean Maritime Plan and Maritime 2050 (S&I)
• Knowledge of business models and value streams associated with these technologies, including relevant challenges and opportunities to their widespread deployment and uptake in the UK’s maritime industry (S&I)
• Programme and/or project management experience, related to innovation (S&I)
• Experience or knowledge of business led innovation projects relevant to the maritime sector
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing experience, including working with senior level individuals managing conflicting demands and priorities while building relationships (I)
• Demonstrable communicating and presenting experience conveying a message a range of audiences (I)
• Able to work in a fast-paced, often matrix, environment (S&I)
• High degree of organisational ability and attention to detail (I)
• Ability to assess business and innovation gaps and opportunities – both at domestic and international level (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 (opens in a new window).

• 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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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