Harwich Haven Authority
Blue Innovation Zone Lead
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Blue Innovation Zone Lead
Location: Harwich, Essex (On site)
Salary: Competitive
Closing date for online applications: 31st August 2026
About Harwich Haven Authority
Harwich Haven Authority (HHA) is one of the UK’s 5 major trust ports, responsible for 150 square miles of the Haven. They play a critical role in enabling and regulating safe, sustainable, and efficient access to the Haven for some of the nation’s most strategically important commercial ports. These include the Port of Felixstowe, the UK’s busiest container port which handles 40% of the UK’s container traffic.
With statutory responsibility for one of the busiest, most complex and economically significant stretches of water on the UK coastline, HHA is trusted to serve not shareholders, but a wide range of stakeholders. These range from port users and employees to local communities and the environment.
The Opportunity
We seek an ambitious, commercially minded and highly collaborative leader to establish and lead the Blue Innovation Zone; a nationally significant maritime innovation destination designed to accelerate innovation, attract investment and create long-term value for the Haven, the region and the wider UK maritime sector.
The Blue Innovation Zone will utilise the unique characteristics of the Haven, estuary and wider maritime environment to provide a live testbed for companies, universities and public sector organisations to test, demonstrate and deploy new technologies in real-world conditions.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, you will be responsible for transforming a strategic concept into a thriving and sustainable innovation ecosystem. You will lead the development of partnerships, secure external funding, attract participants and investment, create commercial opportunities and establish the Blue Innovation Zone as a recognised centre for maritime innovation nationally and internationally.
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This is a unique opportunity to create something of lasting significance; shaping the future of maritime innovation, environmental solutions, offshore energy development and economic growth within one of the UKs most strategically important maritime locations.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement the strategy for the Blue Innovation Zone, translating vision into a practical delivery programme with clear objectives, milestones and outcomes.
- Build and maintain strategic partnerships with maritime businesses, technology companies, offshore energy developers, universities, research institutions, investors, government agencies and funding bodies.
- Secure external funding and investment, developing high-quality funding applications, sponsorship opportunities and collaborative bids.
- Develop and deliver innovation programmes, pilot projects and demonstration activities that enable organisations to test and deploy new technologies within the Zone.
- Identify and develop commercial opportunities including sponsored programmes, innovation services, advisory services, data services and future revenue streams.
- Build a vibrant innovation ecosystem that promotes collaboration between industry, academia and government.
- Act as a visible ambassador for both the Blue Innovation Zone and HHA, representing the organisation at conferences, industry forums and stakeholder events.
- Develop meaningful performance measures and ensure resources are deployed effectively to maximise impact, value and long-term sustainability.
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About You
- Significant experience developing and delivering innovation, partnership, economic growth or business development initiatives.
- Proven track record of building and managing complex stakeholder relationships across public, private, not-for-profit and academic sectors.
- Experience securing funding, sponsorship, investment or commercial partnerships.
- Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to identify opportunities and convert ideas into practical outcomes and sustainable revenue streams.
- Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills, with the credibility to engage senior leaders and decision-makers.
- Strategic capability combined with a strong focus on delivery, outcomes and measurable impact.
- A collaborative, resilient and adaptable approach, comfortable operating in an evolving and ambitious environment.
- Maritime, offshore energy, innovation cluster, technology commercialisation or economic development experience would be advantageous, but is not essential.
How to Apply
We are working with executive search firm Warren Partners. Any direct applications will be forwarded and included in their process. To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role to: KS@warrenpartners.co.uk quoting reference WP8714.
At HHA we do not just accept the different strengths people bring, we recognise them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our employees, our stakeholders, the services we provide, and our community.
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