Innovation Lead – Digital Transport

Context:

Sitting in Innovate UK’s Net Zero domain the Land & Maritime Transport team work to support industry led innovative research and development in the UK Automotive, Maritime, Rail and Connected Transport sectors. 

The team invests to de-risk high potential innovation projects that focus on areas of UK innovation excellence and strong global opportunity. We provide thought leadership through the Transport Vision 2050, and build a coherent, supportive environment enabling people and businesses to innovate.

The Land & Maritime Transport team works closely with multiple strategic partners delivering large programmes. Through the SR period 2022-2025 the team will deliver ~£690 of R&D funding playing a vital role with the UK’s mobility funding ecosystem.

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

Job Purpose:

The role holder will be Innovate UK’s subject matter expert on digital transport – the increasing application of autonomy, connectivity and data to all modes of transport and the resulting new products, services and business models that emerge.

The role holder will develop thought leadership potions in this area, working with the Connected & Autonomous Vehicle team and wider Innovate UK colleagues. They will develop a business case for investment in a digital transport programme for Innovate UK supported by evidence on global markets and UK strengths. 

The role holder will also lead an initial digital transport investment as part of a mobility programme, shaping the investment plan and supporting activities.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Be a visible subject matter expert in digital transport, providing thought-leadership and representing Innovate UK as a speaker or panelist at conferences, advisory boards and committees 
• Develop a strategy and business case for a future programme in digital transport, supported by suitable evidence. This should align with and further develop the Innovate UK Transport Vision 2050 and support government policy and industry priorities. 

• Lead an initial investment in digital transport defining the focus areas for investment, delivering a funding programme and managing the subsequent portfolios of projects, demonstrating impact and success 
• Build strategic relationships internally and externally with relevant organisations including where relevant with the Department for Business & Trade (DBT), Department for Transport (DfT), the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), Network Rail, and our strategic partners Innovate UK KTN and the Connected Places Catapult 
• Develop appropriate international links to realise maximum potential from international engagement and global markets. 
• Be a strong advocate of the core values of Innovate UK. 
• Support with ad-hoc project work as directed by the Head of Team, Deputy Director or Executive Director for net zero 

Person Specification:

Qualifications:

Essential –

• Degree level in relevant science, engineering or related discipline (or equivalent experience)

Desirable –

• Postgraduate and/or professional qualifications an advantage

Experience:

Essential –

• Up-to-date knowledge of innovation and/or product development in digital transport – the increasing application of autonomy, connectivity and data to transport  
• Strong business experience in a leadership capacity, having worked in and/or with business in this sector 
• Experience in developing strategic approaches or technical roadmaps 
• Experience working with and managing diverse stakeholders in complex environments 
• Clear ability to develop, grow and use personal and business networks

Desirable –

• Experience of developing business cases for large programmes 
• Experience engaging with technical experts but also communicating clearly with non-technical experts 
• Strong programme and/or project management experience including managing to budgets 
• Solid understanding of the UK Innovation support landscape and knowledge transfer activity 
• Experience of R&D programmes or development of innovative products and/or services

Skills:

• Proven capability to use your knowledge and experience as a thought-leader 
• Personal resilience and a confident approach, willing to apply good judgement to solve issues and find solutions independently 
• Highly developed team working – able to form effective working relationships quickly particularly with individuals in other organisations  
• Good organisational skills, able to handle and prioritise own workload and deliver in a timely manner  
• Compelling written and verbal communication skills and an engaging manner 
• IT competency. 

• 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 average employer contribution of 27%

Job contact :

• Name : recruitment@ukri.org
• Email : recruitment@ukri.org

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ukri.org