At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Blue Innovation Zone, driving maritime innovation and collaboration.
- Company: Harwich Haven Authority, a key player in the UK's maritime sector.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape the future of maritime innovation and economic growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to sustainability and community engagement.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of maritime innovation and make a lasting impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in innovation, partnership development, and stakeholder management.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
- 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.
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.
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.
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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Blue Innovation Zone Lead employer: Harwich Haven Authority
Harwich Haven Authority (HHA) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the Blue Innovation Zone in one of the UK's most strategically significant maritime locations. With a strong commitment to employee growth and collaboration, HHA fosters a vibrant work culture that values innovation and sustainability, providing employees with the chance to make a lasting impact on the maritime sector while enjoying a supportive environment that encourages diverse strengths and perspectives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Blue Innovation Zone Lead
✨Leverage Innovation Hubs
Tap into local innovation hubs and research centres. These places often host events and workshops where you can meet like-minded people and industry leaders. Plus, they might have job openings that aren't widely advertised, so keep your ears open!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Turn your past innovation projects into compelling stories. Create a portfolio showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills. This can give hiring managers a real flavour of what you can bring to the table at companies like Harwich Haven Authority.
✨Connect at Industry Conferences
Make it a point to attend industry conferences and seminars focused on R&D and innovation management. These events are fantastic for networking and often have job boards or career fairs where you can connect directly with firms looking for talent.
✨Use Your University’s Resources
If you're fresh out of university, don't forget to tap into your institution's career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies seeking new talent in R&D, especially for full-time roles. It's a good shortcut to landing a gig at places like Harwich Haven Authority.
We think you need these skills to ace Blue Innovation Zone Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Creative Thinking:In innovation and R&D management, it's all about thinking outside the box. Make sure your CV highlights any projects or experiences that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've developed and implemented innovative ideas in previous roles.
Tailor Your Experience to R&D:When you're crafting your CV, focus on your experience in research and development. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, including methodologies used and results achieved. This will show us at Harwich Haven Authority that you understand the R&D process and can contribute meaningfully to our projects.
Let Your Passion Shine in the Cover Letter:For a full-time role like this, your cover letter should reflect your genuine passion for innovation and development. Share your excitement about the opportunity to work at Harwich Haven Authority and touch on how your goals align with our mission. This helps us see your motivation for wanting to join our team!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in R&D! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your CV. Whether it’s a percentage improvement in project outcomes, the budget size you’ve managed, or the number of successful products you've launched, these figures will help paint a clearer picture of your impact and capabilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harwich Haven Authority
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Harwich Haven Authority, they're going to want to see how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to discuss previous projects where you introduced a new idea or process. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and provide examples where your innovations drove significant results.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Technologies
Make sure you're clued up on the latest tools and technologies related to innovation management, such as project management software and data analysis platforms. Being able to discuss specific tools you’ve used or have experience with will show Harwich Haven Authority that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, emphasising your teamwork skills will be essential. In innovation, collaboration often sparks the best ideas, so be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively within cross-functional teams in your past roles. Have concrete examples at the ready!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions in your interview that reflect real challenges you might face in the role. £At Harwich Haven Authority, they might want to see how you handle tight deadlines or manage conflicting ideas within a team. Prepare some responses that demonstrate your critical thinking and decisiveness in high-pressure situations.
