Innovation Fund & Projects Manager

Business Disability Forum (BDF) is a UK-based non-profit membership organization that helps businesses become more inclusive and accessible for disabled employees and customers. It provides guidance, resources, and networking opportunities to ensure that organizations can confidently recruit, retain, and support disabled people in the workplace. BDF’s mission is to create an inclusive world where disabled people can contribute and thrive in business without barriers. Their vision is to help businesses improve their disability inclusion strategies by providing expert advice, knowledge-sharing, and practical tools. BDF has a network of over 500 organisations across various sectors, including multinational corporations, public sector institutions, and charities. Members gain access to expert advice, tailored resources, and peer networking opportunities to drive disability inclusion within their organisations.

BDF has an ambitious digital strategy. We have invested substantially in the last few years to upgrade three of our digital products (website, Knowledge Hub, and a self-assessment management tool for our Members).

About the role: The Innovation Fund & Project Manager will join our team to run our innovation fund and to manage projects designed and created by BDF staff members to improve the lives of disabled people in society more widely. The Innovation Fund & Project Manager will also work across teams to help design and manage the creation of various new products and services. In addition, they will work closely with the CEO to scope out and deliver a specific project to increase the number of disabled people who are Non-Executive Directors and advisers to boards.

Responsibilities

• Innovation Fund Project Management: Coordinate and support the bidding process, from initial bid through a multi-stage process to final shortlisting. Lead the evaluation of submitted bids against selected criteria at both the short-listing and final submission stages in consultation with the awarding committee. Conduct further research into project bids where requested by the awarding committee, including market analysis, client and stakeholder research, financial analysis, risk analysis, and technical and feasibility research. Build and coordinate project delivery team(s) for the winning bid(s). Manage the selected project(s) to ensure that they are completed on time and within budget. Work with internal and external stakeholders to support the completion of designated fund projects to a high standard that serves the target clients as well as meeting the aims of the project(s). Complete post-project evaluations.
• Project Management: Work with the wider team to identify what new digital products and services businesses need in order to recruit and retain disabled people and better serve disabled customers, consumers and service users. Inform projects by identifying and involving all project stakeholders, both internal and external, and maintaining clear and timely communications. Develop and maintain project plans. Coordinate project team, stakeholders, and workflows to ensure that milestones are met and projects are completed within cost and quality requirements. Identify potential risks and obstacles, communicate with relevant stakeholders, and suggest solutions. Keep the project sponsor updated on project progress and flag any risks to delivery. Liaise with the Operations Director and their team to provide information for sponsorship proposals. Create and manage internal and external steering groups to provide feedback on project content and ensure that the feedback gathered is considered by the project team. Organise and lead post-project evaluations and ensure that lessons learned are used to inform future projects.
• Other: Build productive and professional working relationships internally with BDF staff and externally with Members, Partners, and other stakeholders. Take part in personal continuous improvement activities as required. Update and maintain accurate records on Salesforce. Complete, agree with manager, and maintain Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) on a set company wide basis. Familiar with, and at all times adhere to, BDF policies, procedures, and values as set out in the Staff Handbook. Promote and comply with BDF policies on equality and diversity both in the delivery of services and in working relationships and treatment of others. Any other duty as may be assigned that is consistent with the nature of the job and its level of responsibility. Any changes will be made in consultation with the post holder.

Internal: CEO, Board of Trustees, Director of Legal and Content, Head of Content, Director of Public Policy and Research, Operations Director, Finance Director, Director of Communications & Marketing, Legal & Content team, Communications & Marketing team.

External: Members, Partners, SME businesses, Expert Solutions Providers, Third Sector/Charities.

Experience: Project management of cross-team multi-disciplinary projects. Delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget. Creating digital products and services. Working across teams and with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. Managing internal and external steering or working groups. Managing projects with small budgets. Working with a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database. Working with a wide variety of people at different levels, from suppliers to CEOs.

Skills: Knowledge of how to create accessible and inclusive digital products and services, and the ability to quickly acquire this knowledge. Ability to create and manage realistic project plans. Excellent time management and prioritisation skills to manage competing priorities and deliver work on time. Influencing skills and the ability to support and motivate others to meet project milestones and deadlines. Excellent relationship-building skills with external stakeholders via a range of communication methods. Facilitating focus groups, interviews, and discussions to gather and disseminate specialist knowledge from stakeholders. Excellent written and spoken communication skills, with the ability to present information in a clear manner appropriate to the audience. Ability to break down complex information and ideas and communicate to different audiences in verbal and written form. Ability to be self-motivating and to take initiative while working as part of a team. Fluent in Microsoft Office. Working in equality, diversity, and inclusion in a business environment. Leading on sponsorship proposals and acquiring external sponsorship for projects.

Knowledge and Attributes: Knowledge of current disability, accessibility, and inclusion issues. Knowledge of current topical issues for businesses and business management. Enthusiasm to learn and develop, both individually and as part of the organisation. Motivated, hardworking, and able to effectively manage cross-team projects. Proactive problem solver who is focused on finding the best solution for the customer. Demonstrates strong teamwork skills, fostering a friendly, supportive, and collaborative approach to work. In agreement with BDF’s mission and supportive of BDF’s values.

Required Qualifications: A recognised project management qualification.

25 days Annual leave plus statutory and bank holidays (usually 33 days in total). Workplace Pension Scheme: 8% of gross salary. Permanent Health Insurance. Probationary period: Six months. Group Death in Service (Life Assurance 3 x Annual Salary). Private Medical Insurance Scheme, Private Medical Cashback Scheme. Employee Assistance Programme.

Working locations: Hybrid model, work in the London office and remotely. First interviews are planned for the week commencing 9th June 2025. Second interviews are likely to take place in the week commencing 16th June 2025. We are committed to becoming disability-smart and an employer of choice irrespective of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, or pregnancy and maternity.