The role will also work closely with the Business Growth Team’s Innovation Leads and Service Design Leads to ensure delivery of the Business Growth service is accurately captured by the data collected and the impact of the Innovate UK Business Growth portfolio is captured, communicated and reported to key stakeholders, both internally and externally. The ‘Delivery Operations Lead - Business Growth (Maternity Cover)’ will also support the Deputy Director - Business Growth in harnessing our data as a strategic asset.

The role holder is currently responsible for managing three direct reports. A key part of the role is therefore the effective line management of the team which consists of two Impact and Performance Managers and a Senior Data Analyst.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Day-to-day portfolio management of the Business Growth service, working closely with the wider Business Growth team for adviser CRM/data capability development, data management and impact measurement and reporting.
• Management and development of our CRM, its data and the generation of accurate, relevant, and timely reporting to enable progress to be tracked centrally, including the provision of concise commentary targeted to meet EMT and external stakeholder needs.
• Oversee the embedding of monitoring, evaluation, and impact/benefits realisation for Innovate UK’s Business Growth Support.
• Hold the Business Growth team’s relationship with IUK IT, including engaging with and representing Business Growth requirements on the Janus and Single Customer View projects.
• Support the development of Velocity as required, including providing an account and data management perspective.
• Line management responsibility for our Impact and Performance Managers and Senior Data Analyst, supporting their development and developing a high-performing team and with other members of the senior team sharing best practice and mentoring other members of the wider Business Growth team.
• Stakeholder management across a complex and diverse partner and stakeholder network, including regular, appropriate and timely communications, including effective management of relationships with internal and external suppliers, including co-chairing our consortium Data Excellence Community of Practice.
• Delivery of process improvements and resource efficiencies as needed.
• Support the other Delivery Operations Lead to develop and implement programme governance and effective co-ordination of all the partners within the wider offer and interfacing with the Consortium, Operations and Advisory Board as directed.
• Ad-hoc delivery of senior-level project work as directed by the Head of Operations and Impact and/or Business Growth Deputy Director.
• Represent the Head of Operations and Impact and Business Growth Deputy Director as required at events and meetings, acting as a delegate during periods of absence as required.

This is not an exhaustive list and you might be encouraged to undertake any other duties across the wider directorate, commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the key experience and/or training.

Shortlisting criteria

(S) – Assessed at shortlisting
(I) – Assessed at interview
(S&I) – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview

Person Specification

This effective and proactive individual will be an exceptional and experienced programme manager, used to working without close direction, provide effective line management and able to manage multiple streams of work, with multiple teams.

The post-holder will be capable of identifying the right approach to the challenge in hand and translating that approach into effective delivery.

Able to develop and maintain effective working relationships with senior people across the breath of UKRI, the innovation ecosystem and relevant government departments as well as with non-governmental stakeholders.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential –
Educated to undergraduate degree level or equivalent professional experience, line management experience, and with experience in a management function/role within a business support, innovation, economic development or similar environment. (S)
Experience of working in and developing complex networks with multiple stakeholders, building productive relationships and influencing senior stakeholders across multiple organisations where priorities and objectives may conflict, using strong communication (written and verbal), negotiation and presentation skills. (S&I)
Considerable experience of managing programmes and delivering a broad range of benefits, across the Public and Private sectors and the ability to translate strategic objectives into operational delivery plans with high attention to detail. (S&I)
Experience of developing and motivating a high-performing team across multiple locations to maintain a collaborative culture and efficiently deliver results through others. (S&I)
Experience of developing and implementing new processes, business critical changes and organisational change in live operational environments, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, analytical thinking and a commitment to continuous improvement. (S&I)
Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capability, including the ability to interpret complex information, identify key points and issues and develop creative, practical solutions. (I)
Demonstrable digital and data literacy, including the use of management information, data governance principles and maintaining data integrity within operational systems. (S&I)
Self-awareness, self-motivation and good personal resilience as well as a high level of professionalism, discretion, and tact. A robust and flexible approach with the ability to thrive in an agile/changing environment taking the initiative where required, but equally able to take instruction and deliver results against a brief and to tight deadlines and a demonstrable ability to manage and prioritise workload across multiple work streams. (I)
Understanding UK government structure, its constituent agencies and brands, as well as the Devolved Nations and key UKRI partner organisations and how these interact to support business growth and innovation. (S&I)

Competencies

All team members demonstrate compatibility with and capability against our Core Competencies such as:

• Thinking and Problem Solving
• Stakeholder management
• Communication skills
• Influencing
• Self-awareness/self-management
• Strategic awareness