Innovation Advisor – RISE (Research & Innovation Sussex Excellence)
Can you undertake Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) innovation needs assessments to identify potential areas of business innovation-led growth, design and deliver innovation workshops and training, provide 1:1 innovation advice clinics? If so, read on.
We are pleased to advertise a new exciting opportunity to join us in developing and delivering a specialist tailored SME innovation programme to generate business/university collaborations. Our Innovation Advisors are part of the Research and Innovation Sussex Excellence (RISE) Project, a European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and West Sussex County Council funded project. RISE provides SMEs, located primarily within West Sussex, with enhanced access to innovation support to enable them to pivot and unlock sustainable productivity growth, to help increase business resilience and position the business to grow as market and economic conditions recover. This activity is supported via an online portal to encourage collaboration with other innovating SMEs in the region.
Your role will be to will develop and maintain a network of SMEs, represent both the University of Brighton and University of Sussex, attend networking events with relevant external stakeholders to promote the RISE project to SMEs and regional Business Network Partners and support organisations so excellent communication, networking and presentation skills are essential. In addition to possessing good business acumen and experience of commercialising Innovation, to be successful in the post you will bring with you:
A clear understanding of innovation challenges facing SMEs.
A mix of expertise and knowledge to support the project success.
Proven coaching techniques and innovation tools, to confidently elicit, assess and crucially help implement new ideas.
Strong analytical, process and procedural development skills and the ability to utilise data for reporting requirements.
Sector and knowledge of West Sussex economic industries/landscape is advantageous.
Your role will require you to visit businesses across the West Sussex region, attend off site events, and may involve working at a variety of external sites as well as the University of Brighton or Sussex Campuses, within reasonable timescales therefore a driving licence would be desirable, but by no means essential.
The role may also involve some unsocial / out-of-office hours such as evenings and weekends to attend business-facing events.
We have 2 posts available, so are able to welcome applications from candidates seeking to job share, or who would potentially be interested in part-time working.
Closing date 16th June
It is planned that interviews will take place on 29th & 30th June.
Location: Brighton – Moulsecoomb
Salary: £35,845 to £42,792 pro rata 30 hours per week
Fixed Term End Date:30/04/2023
Closing Date: Wednesday 16 June 2021