At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire the UK’s innovation networks to drive growth and collaboration.
- Company: Innovate UK Business Connect, a key player in UK innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work, and impactful leadership role.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to fostering innovation and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by connecting innovators and driving change across the UK.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 110000 € per year.
At Innovate UK Business Connect we play a key role in accelerating UK innovation to improve lives and livelihoods and create growth across the UK. At the heart of this mission lies our network of networks – the trusted, diverse and dynamic system of innovators, businesses, researchers, investors and partners who make innovation happen.
The Executive Director will “own” the portfolio for the network of networks - leading the people, relationships and strategic activity that bring this to life. They will ensure that our connections across industry, academia, government and regions translate into collaborations, investment and innovation outcomes, and that our networks continue to be one of the UK’s richest sources of innovation intelligence and opportunity.
The role will also ensure that businesses and stakeholders experience a clear, accessible and high‑value engagement journey with Innovate UK Business Connect, enabling innovators to move quickly from initial contact to meaningful support, connection or opportunity. This is a high‑profile, business‑facing leadership role for an energetic and visionary connector who can inspire, convene and lead by example – translating the complexity of the UK innovation landscape into powerful connections that accelerate innovation and deliver impact.
This role is part of a system, in which Innovate UK Business Connect works as a strategic delivery partner to Innovate UK, and as part of UKRI. Developing, maintaining and strengthening relationships across these organisations and the wider system, are key to the success of this role and those we work with.
Roles & Responsibilities- Strategic Leadership
- Lead the organisation’s work to grow, strengthen and activate the UK’s innovation networks, ensuring they deliver tangible value for businesses, partners and the wider innovation system.
- Shape and deliver a network strategy that aligns with Innovate UK’s strategy, the UK’s industrial strategy, sector priorities and government missions.
- Lead the organisation’s role in identifying, engaging and supporting the UK’s most promising high‑potential businesses and innovators, ensuring they are connected to the opportunities, partners and programmes that accelerate their growth.
- Act as a senior external ambassador for Innovate UK Business Connect, building visibility, trust and influence across business, academia and government.
- Work closely with the Managing Director and other Directors to ensure the network is fully integrated with our digital, data, communication and programme delivery activities.
- Represent Innovate UK Business Connect at relevant network and innovation events, showcasing the strength of our network and the opportunities it creates.
- Ensure insights gathered through the network are captured and can be translated into strategic intelligence that informs programme design, emerging innovation opportunities and innovation policy / strategy.
- Network Development and Engagement
- Lead a portfolio of business‑facing initiatives that are visible and connected across the UK innovation ecosystem.
- Work with colleagues at UKRI, Innovate UK and with our Director of Engagement and External Affairs to create a clear and consistent engagement experience for innovators and partners, ensuring enquiries, introductions and opportunities are handled efficiently and lead to meaningful progression.
- Drive excellence in relationship management — ensuring consistent, high‑quality engagement with businesses, funders and partners, as well as strong collaboration across the Innovate UK system.
- Work closely with our insights and data experts to oversee the mapping and curation of networks of networks, ensuring we connect founders, investors, policymakers and researchers in ways that spark collaboration and growth.
- Encourage and enable our people to be outward‑facing connectors — actively convening communities, identifying opportunities and building partnerships that advance UK innovation.
- Ensure the organisation maintains a deep and up‑to‑date understanding of the innovators, businesses and organisations within our network, enabling more effective connections and support.
- Ensure our network is inclusive and accessible, creating pathways for innovators from every region and background to connect and thrive.
- Collaboration and System Connectivity
- Work with Innovate UK, UKRI, the Catapult Network, the IUK Business Growth Network and other strategic partners to ensure joined‑up engagement and intelligence sharing across the innovation system.
- Ensure the network acts as an enabling capability across the innovation system, supporting Innovate UK, UKRI and broader partners to identify opportunities, connect capabilities and accelerate innovation outcomes.
- Strengthen strategic relationships and work with Innovate UK and the Director of Engagement and External Affairs to embed a clear.
Executive Director in London employer: Innovate UK Business Connect
At Innovate UK Business Connect, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration. Our home-based work culture offers flexibility and a supportive environment, allowing our Executive Director to lead impactful initiatives while fostering professional growth and development. With a commitment to inclusivity and a dynamic network of innovators, we provide unique opportunities for meaningful engagement and the chance to make a significant difference in the UK's innovation landscape.
Contact Detail:
Innovate UK Business Connect Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Director in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that Executive Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a personal brand that highlights your leadership skills and experience in innovation. Share insights and articles related to the UK innovation landscape on social media to position yourself as a thought leader in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its network. Understand their mission and how you can contribute to their goals. Be ready to discuss how you can strengthen relationships across business, academia, and government to drive innovation.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got all the latest job openings, and applying directly gives you a better chance of being noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission to accelerate UK innovation.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Executive Director role. Highlight your experience in strategic leadership and network development, as these are key aspects of the job.
Showcase Your Connections:We want to see how you’ve built and maintained relationships across various sectors. Share examples of how you've successfully engaged with businesses, academia, and government to drive innovation.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your ideas and experiences, making it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit for this high-profile role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that we receive all the necessary information and can process your application smoothly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Innovate UK Business Connect
✨Know Your Innovation Landscape
Before the interview, dive deep into the UK innovation ecosystem. Understand the key players, recent trends, and how Innovate UK Business Connect fits into the bigger picture. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how you can lead and enhance their network of networks.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As an Executive Director, your leadership approach is crucial. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to inspire and connect diverse stakeholders. Think about times when you've successfully led initiatives or built strategic partnerships, and be ready to share these stories.
✨Engagement Experience Matters
Highlight your experience in creating high-value engagement journeys for businesses and innovators. Be specific about how you've improved stakeholder interactions in previous roles, and discuss strategies you would implement to ensure a seamless experience at Innovate UK Business Connect.
✨Prepare Questions That Matter
Interviews are a two-way street. Prepare insightful questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Ask about their current challenges in network development or how they measure the success of their innovation initiatives. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role is right for you.
