📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Head of Operations and Impact (Business Growth)
🔹 Company: Innovate UK
🔹 Location: Field Based (UK)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Operations & Management
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-18
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leadership and management of Innovate UK Business Growth operations and impact
- Collaboration with Heads of Function for Service Design and Service Development
- Integration of Innovate UK Business Growth into the wider Innovate UK Products and Services value proposition
- Line management of delivery operations leads
- Budget management and data collection, measurement, and analysis
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent leadership skills, and a strong background in operational delivery and data management.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead and manage the operational efficacy and continuous development of Innovate UK Business Growth
✅ Contribute to the strategic development of Innovate UK Business Growth and its integration in the wider Innovate UK portfolio of Products & Services
✅ Lead and line manage the Business Growth Delivery Operations partner and portfolio teams
✅ Manage day-to-day operations, including budgets, funding agreements, and contracts
✅ Collect, measure, and analyze operational data, including impact
✅ Inform decision-making for service development and investment through high-quality data
✅ Manage IT tools, including SalesForce CRM, and collaborate with other corporate functions as needed
✅ Work effectively with colleagues across Innovate UK, UKRI, and partners externally
✅ Build strong relationships with relevant bodies and networks to support business growth across the UK and internationally
ASSUMPION: This role involves a high degree of stakeholder management, data-driven decision-making, and strategic planning.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Educated to Degree level in a relevant discipline (or equivalent experience)
Experience: A track record of leadership and operational delivery of complex projects and delivery of operational targets to budget
Required Skills:
- Proven leadership and management skills
- Experience in managing large budgets and multi-stakeholder interests
- Strong data management and analysis skills
- Experience in developing and implementing new processes and organizational change
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Understanding of global issues relative to the management and growth of small/medium-sized businesses
Preferred Skills:
- Excellent working knowledge of the UK Innovation and Growth Business support ecosystem
- Understanding of innovation management, investment readiness, and/or internationalisation frameworks and processes
- Experience or interest in science, technology, and its role in society
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in operations management, data analysis, and strategic planning, with a proven track record of leading and delivering complex projects.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £68,525 gross per annum
Benefits:
- 30 Days Annual Leave
- 10.5 Public and Privilege Days
- Flexible Working Hours
- Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
- Support Networks
- Discount Schemes
Working Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is competitive for the role and industry, with a comprehensive benefits package.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Non-profit Organizations, focusing on innovation and growth in various sectors
Company Size: 201-500 employees, with a significant presence in the UK innovation ecosystem
Founded: Innovate UK was established in 2011, with a history rooted in the UK's innovation and growth initiatives
Company Description:
- Innovate UK Business Connect is the new name for Innovate UK KTN
- Connects innovators with new partners and new opportunities beyond their existing thinking
- Accelerates ambitious ideas into real-world solutions
Company Specialties:
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Agri-food
- Biotechnology
- Built environment
- Chemistry
- Design
- Digital and creative
- Defence and security
- Electronics
- Sensors and photonics
- Energy
- Health
- ICT
- Industrial maths
- Manufacturing
- Materials
- Space
- Sustainability and circular economy
- Transport
- Robotics and artificial intelligence
- Big data
- 4Manufacturing
- Access to funding and finance
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Autonomous vehicles
- Aviation
- Graphene
- Compound semiconductors
- Electronic technologies
- Energy harvesting
- Forensics
- Horizon 2020
- Immersive experience
- Industrial biotechnology
- Infrastructure systems
- Internet of Things
- Maritime and marine
- Materials chemistry
- Materials security
- Nano
- Personal data and trust
- Cyber security
- Quantum technologies
- Position
- Navigation and timing
- Rail
- Remanufacturing
- Simulation and modelling
- Solar energy
- Sustainable aviation fuel
- Uncertainty quantification and management
- Synthetic biology
- and Urban living
Company Website: iuk.ktn-uk.org
ASSUMPTION: Innovate UK Business Connect plays a crucial role in the UK's innovation ecosystem, supporting growth and collaboration across various sectors.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Management
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Deputy Director Business Growth
Work Arrangement: Field-based, with national travel requirements and flexibility in working hours
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to shape the strategic direction of Innovate UK Business Growth
- Opportunity to work with a diverse range of stakeholders across the UK and internationally
- Possibility to develop and implement new processes and organizational change
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential, with the opportunity to make a real impact on the UK's innovation and growth ecosystem.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Field-based, with no dedicated office location
Office Location(s): UK-wide, with a focus on national travel
Geographic Context:
- Field-based role, requiring frequent travel across the UK
- Opportunity to work with a diverse range of stakeholders across the UK and internationally
- Potential for flexible working arrangements
Work Schedule: Full-time (35 hours per week), with flexibility in working hours
ASSUMPTION: The field-based nature of this role requires a high degree of flexibility and adaptability, with a strong focus on stakeholder management and collaboration.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- Face-to-face interview with the hiring manager and other stakeholders
- Final panel interview
Key Assessment Areas:
- Leadership and management skills
- Data management and analysis skills
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Stakeholder management and communication skills
- Understanding of the UK innovation and growth ecosystem
Application Tips:
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your leadership and management experiences
- Research Innovate UK and the UK innovation ecosystem to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the role
ATS Keywords: Operations management, data analysis, strategic planning, stakeholder management, innovation, growth, leadership, UK innovation ecosystem
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing candidates' leadership, management, and strategic planning skills, as well as their understanding of the UK innovation ecosystem.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- SalesForce CRM
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have experience with relevant tools and technologies, with a strong focus on data management and analysis.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Ambition
- Excellence
- Integrity
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced
- Collaborative and inclusive
- Focused on delivering impact and driving growth
- Adaptable and responsive to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Innovate UK's values, particularly 'Innovation' and 'Collaboration'?
- How do you approach working with a diverse range of stakeholders, both internally and externally?
- How do you balance strategic planning with day-to-day operational delivery?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should demonstrate a strong cultural fit with Innovate UK, with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and driving growth.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a large and complex operation with multiple stakeholders
- Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day operational delivery
- Working effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, both internally and externally
- Keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the UK innovation and growth ecosystem
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, management, and strategic planning skills, as well as a deep understanding of the UK innovation ecosystem.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on leading and managing the operational delivery of Innovate UK Business Growth
- Similar roles may include Operations Director, Head of Service Delivery, or Senior Operations Manager within the UK innovation ecosystem
- Career progression may involve moving into a more strategic or senior leadership role within Innovate UK or a related organization
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to lead and manage the operational delivery of a critical component of the UK's innovation ecosystem.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a new operational model for Innovate UK Business Growth
- Managing a large-scale data collection, measurement, and analysis project to inform service development and investment
- Leading a team to deliver a high-profile event or conference, showcasing UK innovation and growth initiatives
ASSUMPTION: These projects demonstrate the strategic, operational, and stakeholder management aspects of the role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the wider strategic vision for Innovate UK Business Growth?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
- How does Innovate UK support the growth and development of its employees?
- What are the main challenges facing the UK innovation and growth ecosystem, and how can this role address them?
- How does Innovate UK measure the impact of its initiatives, and how can this role contribute to improving those metrics?
ASSUMPTION: These questions will help candidates understand the strategic context, priorities, and expectations of the role.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Innovate UK Workday portal
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your leadership and management experiences
- Research Innovate UK and the UK innovation ecosystem to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the role
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
