Knowledge Transfer Manager Advanced Manufacturing
About Innovate UK KTN
We connect ideas, people, and communities to drive innovation that changes lives.
Innovation is complex. The journey from idea to market is not straightforward and requires a diverse range of know-how, investment, market knowledge and research. Innovate UK KTN exists to connect innovators with new partners and new opportunities beyond their existing thinking – accelerating ambitious ideas into real-world solutions.
The future holds both challenges and opportunities. We are passionate about working with innovative businesses to overcome these challenges and shape the opportunities and solutions that follow.
Our vision is to create a network of innovators so powerful its ideas will change the world.
While business is at the heart of our work, our diverse connections span government, funders, research and the third sector. This unrivalled overview and connectivity enable us to be a trusted guide through a complex global landscape of research, development, and innovation.
About the team
The Industrial Technologies and Manufacturing (ITM) team delivers Innovate UK KTN strategy in a cross-cutting manner with electronics, sensors, photonics, and manufacturing technologies at the core. Electronics covers a wide range of technologies from energy efficient computing to power electronics, machines, and drives. Sensors embraces all sensing technologies such as environmental monitoring for climate change science to sensors used to enable connected and autonomous vehicle operation. Photonics supports communities working the areas of laser technologies, photonic integrated circuits, and computing. Manufacturing supports all the activities surrounding productivity and digitalisation of the UK manufacturing sector under the Innovate UK Made Smarter programme, circular economies and Net Zero.
Purpose of the role
As Knowledge Transfer Manager Advanced Manufacturing, your role will be to deliver knowledge transfer and other activities aimed at stimulating innovation in manufacturing sectors, technologies, or cross-cutting themes with potential to growth in the UK economy. This role will play a key part in identifying innovations and connecting the opportunities to make an impact and translate UK potential into commercial reality.
On a day-to-day basis, you will engage with high-growth businesses to understand their innovation needs and direct them towards public and private finance, potential commercial and academic partners, and other opportunities to support their growth.
This includes the design and delivery of first-class events, the creation and publication of thought leadership media content, contributing to the marketing and communications strategy and outputs and diligent reporting into Innovate UK KTN systems.
You will contribute to Innovate UK KTN’s success, working with colleagues on cross-sector collaboration projects, meeting Innovate UK KTN KPIs, supporting the development of bids and proposals and engaging with Innovate UK, UKRI and other relevant government departments, research councils, and leadership bodies around the UK and globally.
Key Responsibilities
- Work within the Industrial Technologies and Manufacturing (IT&M) team to understand and support innovation and business growth in the manufacturing sector and in particular support the ongoing delivery of Innovate UK KTN’s Work Plan and strategic objectives.
- Support the delivery of the Made Smarter Innovation Network (MSIN) programme, helping the team to organise and keep delivery on track. Assist with the planning and delivery of programme coordination meetings, workshops, and events.
- Build a strong and engaged community of UK innovators/innovation contributors within the defined sector and/or technology, with a particular focus on manufacturing sectors
- Develop, maintain, and monitor relationships with Innovate UK KTN members and key stakeholders including regular company visits
- Deliver key business metrics, including additional client income, monthly reports and KPIs, agreed with line manager, and to track progress, capturing outcomes and success stories
- Lead and manage a series of programme meetings, workshops, and events of relevance to key UK industry sectors or strategic technologies.
- Understand and facilitate access to innovation support mechanisms for businesses and to help develop funding and investment applications.
- Promote the benefits of Innovate UK KTN and innovation within a business context, including the preparation of promotional material and the use of various media.
- Develop and lead cross-community activity within Innovate UK KTN to help industry to create value for UK businesses.
- Liaise closely with Innovate UK KTN staff across all sectors and technologies to ensure a good understanding of other sector activities, to ensure well informed and integrated working.
- Produce articles for newsletters, case studies, blogs of interest to our members and similar media to capture and measure impact.
- Maintain and disseminate an up-to-date view of the industry and application areas, including technology developments, key innovators, market trends/needs and business funding opportunities.
- Identify new opportunities that can support specific projects and subsequent projects.
- Promote diversity and inclusion both within Innovate UK KTN and across engaged sectors.
Requirements
Experience
- Good level of understand and knowledge of Advanced Manufacturing techniques that will include at least two of the following: 1) Industrial Engineering 2) Digitalisation of the Manufacturing Sector 3) Factory Automation 4) Sustainable Manufacturing and Circular Economy
- Knowledge of a sector focus within Advanced Manufacturing, including key companies and sector dynamics
- Experience of working in a technical/research/business support programme delivery role
- Degree qualification or equivalent experience in engineering or manufacturing sciences
- Demonstrable understanding and experience of knowledge transfer and industry-academia collaboration
- Demonstrable experience in business development and organising and delivering events and workshops
- Experience in stakeholder engagement with central and/or local government, funding agencies, universities, catapults, and devolved administrations
- Experience in project management and financial expertise to manage project budgets effectively.
- Experience of government policies and research and innovation strategies.
Skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate confidently and build effective relationships
- Team player with good relationship building and influencing skills; enjoys working in a collaborative manner in an open, honest, and diverse environment
- Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively across multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholders, explaining complicated matters simply
- Experienced in knowledge transfer, innovation, and R&D
- Adaptability and openness to work in new emerging business niches and across other relevant business sectors
- Demonstrable skills in event management and delivery
- Demonstrable project management skills
- Excellent writing and presentation skills, with ability to translate complex topics for a broad audience
Benefits & how to apply
- This role has a salary of £35,000 to £42,000 pa depending on experience
- 28 days annual leave plus 10.5 bank and public holidays
- Enhanced Pension Plan
- Life Assurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Wider Wallet employee benefits high street discounts scheme
- Opportunities for continuous professional development as part of our Talent & Development Programme
This advert will close on Monday 20th February 2023 at 9am, though some circumstances may require us to close earlier, so early application is advised.
First stage interviews to be held w/c 27th February
Second stage interviews to be held w/c 6th March
Please apply by submitting a tailored cover letter outlining your suitability with specifics relating to the requirements of the role, and your CV outlining your experience.
The postholder will be home based or out of our London, Harwell or Edinburgh offices with frequent UK travel.
Applicants must have the existing and ongoing right to work in the UK without restrictions as sponsorship for visas is not provided. Unfortunately, owing to the high number of applications received, we can only provide feedback to applicants selected for interview.
Should you wish to discuss this opportunity further, please contact the Recruitment Team by email to recruitment@iuk.ktn-uk.org.
Innovate UK KTN strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where we can all be ourselves. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in the industry: people of colour, LGBTQ+ community, women, disabled people, people of any age or family status. We know that diversity makes us stronger and we strive to create a working environment that is inclusive, and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to removing barriers for individuals with conditions, illnesses or disabilities and we will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process, and in their future role.
If you would like to request any reasonable adjustment, for any part of the recruitment process (including application), please let us know by emailing recruitment@iuk.ktn-uk.org.