Applications must be submitted by;
14-07-2026Innovation Lead – Future Maritime Technologies
In partnership with Government, Innovate UK is committed to decarbonising the maritime and inland waterway sector.
*Please note this advert will close on the 13th of July 2026 at 23.59pm.
Watch our video “Why Join Innovate UK?” here.
Title: Innovation Lead – Future Maritime Technologies
Band: UKRI Band F (UKRI Ts & Cs)
Salary: £58,589 gross per annum
Reports to: Senior Programme Manager – Land and Maritime Transport
Location: Field based
Contract: Permanent
Innovate UK recognises the importance of work-life balance and we will be happy to discuss any requests for flexible working arrangements.
Context:
Innovate UK’s Land and Maritime Transport team delivers millions of R&D funding to the UK’s transport sector each year. We provide impact as one of the most significant areas of activity within Innovate UK, especially against aspirations set out in the government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan and Net Zero Strategy.
We work alongside government and industry to enable land and maritime based transport to be zero emission, become smarter and more accessible, while growing the UK’s supply chain.
The role holder will operate within the Innovate UK Digital & Transport which is part of the Innovation Service Directorate.
We particularly welcome female applicants as women are under-represented within Innovate UK in this type of role.
Job Purpose:
In partnership with Government, Innovate UK is committed to decarbonising the maritime and inland waterway sector. This aligns with UK and global aspirations to reach net zero by 2050 for which maritime vessels and the supporting infrastructure play a significant role. As the appointed Innovation Lead you deliver vital interventions into the maritime sector to support future maritime technologies and accelerate the sector’s transition to Net Zero. Your work will cover research and development related to clean propulsion technology, maritime autonomy, smart shipping and enabling clean infrastructure. You will lead and manage Innovate UK’s delivery of this activity and wider work in partnership with government, industry and across UKRI.
The role involves expert thought leadership and the ability to influence and lead industry, government, academia and other key stakeholders and colleagues in driving innovation, boosting business growth and the deliver wider policy aims of UK SHORE The future of UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) - GOV.UK
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
- Be Innovate UK’s principal ‘thought leader’ and subject matter expert related to reducing emissions in the maritime sector and maritime vessel autonomous technologies and opportunities.
- Manage the initial portfolio of >100 projects funded from 2026 as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) and Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) Competitions. Act as ‘point of contact’ for senior industry figures within the businesses supported by the CMDC & ZEVI.
- Act as a champion and lead architect of any future multi-year programmes of R&D support in this field and the translation of government Maritime policy goals into impactful interventions that deliver business growth.
- Work closely with business, Government, academia, trade associations (e.g. Maritime UK), standards and regulatory bodies (eg. MCA )etc., to inform programme development and delivery, and build and sustain a globally recognised, UK-wide ‘maritime innovation system’ with continued and significant ambition and delivery capability.
- Support our partners in DfT and DBT in their policy efforts through knowledge of technical, business and social aspects of innovative maritime technologies.
- Ensure the programme takes an international perspective; stimulating collaboration across national boundaries, including those countries who are also active in maritime innovation
- Representing Innovate UK at leading industry events, raising awareness of the innovation opportunities that exist and leading the thinking all aspects of our maritime innovation activities .
- Contribute to the wider implementation of Innovate UK strategy; supporting colleagues in the implementation of their programmes where you can, and ensuring implementation of Innovate UK’s and UKRI overall mission to boost UK innovation and deliver economic and societal impact.
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 position requires strong sector relevant technical experience coupled with excellent industry knowledge. Practiced programme management and commercial awareness within a related field should be couple with an ability to manage competing priorities and a complex stakeholder environment. The role holder will need to make sense of multiple data sources, establish underlying patterns and articulate a clear and compelling vision of what needs to be done to influence the maritime industry’s transition towards net zero by 2050 and deliver business impact.
Experience & Qualifications:
Essential –
- Degree level in relevant science, engineering or related discipline (or equivalent experience) (S)
- First hand industry experience including the technical aspects of maritime propulsion (S&I)
- Knowledge of the UK’s maritime strategy and trends in new innovations in this field, including related to the Clean Maritime Plan and Maritime 2050 (S&I)
- Knowledge of business models and value streams associated with these technologies, including relevant challenges and opportunities to their widespread deployment and uptake in the UK’s maritime industry (S&I)
- Programme and/or project management experience, related to innovation (S&I)
- Experience or knowledge of business led innovation projects relevant to the maritime sector
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing experience, including working with senior level individuals managing conflicting demands and priorities while building relationships (I)
- Demonstrable communicating and presenting experience conveying a message a range of audiences (I)
- Able to work in a fast-paced, often matrix, environment (S&I)
- High degree of organisational ability and attention to detail (I)
- Ability to assess business and innovation gaps and opportunities – both at domestic and international level (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 – Working with others– Project management
Some of the above competencies will be assessed at interview stage, in addition to the criteria’s listed in the person specification.
Travel Requirements:
Field-based: There will a requirement to travel, mostly national, and there is some flexibility in this. Innovate UK staff make extensive use of telepresence tools for meetings to minimise unnecessary travel.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
Innovate UK is a diverse workforce of people. We believe that encouraging these differences and drawing the best from them will build a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, where talents are fully utilised and in which organisational goals are met. Underpinning this is a belief that it is a fundamental right for everyone to be treated equally, with fairness, respect and dignity. We will act directly and use our influence to ensure that this right is promoted and upheld; we encourage applications from all those who meet the criteria set-out in our role profiles.
Equal Opportunities:
We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to employing any person who meets the criteria for our roles. When undertaking recruitment we may require applicants to undertake certain tests or assessments, some of which will be online and others may be in-person. If you have a disability, heath condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia then you may be entitled to support with undertaking this type of assessment exercise. Where you feel that reasonable adjustments are required to support you, we ask that you advise your recruitment point of contact in a timely fashion, providing further information. In confidence, Innovate UK will then review your application for adjustments and provide support as required.
UK Research and Innovation:
Innovate UK is partner organisation within UK Research and Innovation. If successful in securing the position, your employer will be UK Research and Innovation. More information can be found online http://www.ukri.org/.
Employee Benefits:
We offer a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, flexible working hours, an exceptional defined benefit pension scheme, and access to a variety of support networks and discount schemes.
Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Flexible Working:
We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants.
Artificial Intelligence:
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Pre-employment Screening:
To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a comprehensive pre-employment check on successful applicants as part of the recruitment process.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider how this aligns with your personal values or beliefs. To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as a crucial part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check.
Applications must be submitted by;
14-07-2026
