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- Tasks: Lead the UK's innovation agenda and drive economic growth through strategic leadership.
- Company: Join Innovate UK, a key player in transforming breakthrough ideas into industry giants.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and access to the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's innovation landscape and help shape the future.
- Qualifications: Proven executive leadership experience in innovation or research funding.
The predicted salary is between 145000 - 155000 £ per year.
This is the Internal Only Recruitment Site for UK Research and Innovation Staff for roles within Innovate UK (UKRI). Please apply for jobs via this site only if you are employed by UK Research and Innovation. If you wish to apply for the position below, please ensure that you comply with the requirements of the recruitment process by submitting both a full CV and application letter. Ideally, you should also advise your manager of your application.
Applications must be submitted by 31-05-2026.
Salary: £145,000 - £155,000 per annum, plus potential discretionary performance related bonus.
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent – This role will consider a secondment or fixed term contract for the right candidate.
Location: Field based with regular travel to London and Swindon offices, and stakeholder events.
Reporting Line: Reports directly to the Executive Chair, Innovate UK.
Closing Date: Sunday 31st May 2026 at 23:55.
Proposed Interview Date: w/c Monday 29th June 2026.
About Innovate UK: The UK has one of the strongest research bases in the world. But we do not have as many globally scaled companies as that strength should produce. The UK excels at making discoveries, generating intellectual property (IP), spinning out and starting up. Yet when it comes to scaling, too many innovative businesses fail, stall or move overseas. Innovation is in our blood. We must focus on industrialising that innovation, because fast-growing businesses are built on innovation and are what drive real economic value. That is the gap Innovate UK exists to close.
Our vision is a UK where breakthrough ideas, from research, from labs, from anywhere in this country, can become industry leaders. We are here to back the UK’s most promising innovators: to give them the support, validation, connections and capital pathways that help them to start, scale and stay in the UK.
About the Role: As the most senior executive role under the Innovate UK Executive Chair, the Managing Director plays a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the UK’s national innovation agenda. This role partners with the Executive Chair to lead Innovate UK’s strategic direction and funding portfolio, with full accountability for execution and performance across innovation programmes, strategic investments, and organisational leadership.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead business and organisation performance, embedding a cross-team matrix structure that will deliver the new Innovate UK strategy.
- Partner with the Executive Chair to co-lead the development and execution of Innovate UK’s strategic vision.
- Take direct accountability for the successful delivery of Innovate UK’s multi-billion pound innovation portfolio across sectors including AI, clean energy, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, creative industries and defence.
- Lead Innovate UK’s operational and programme performance frameworks.
- Collaborate with senior UKRI leaders, providing leadership on business innovation across UKRI strategic priorities.
People and Organisational Leadership:
- Provide executive leadership to the entire Innovate UK organisation.
- Directly manage a senior executive team, including Directors and programme leads.
- Champion a high-performance culture, inclusive leadership practices, and cross functional collaboration.
- Drive organisation-wide capability development, succession planning, and talent strategy.
External Influence:
- Serve as Innovate UK’s lead representative to ministers, special advisers, select committees, and cross-departmental groups.
- Act as a public ambassador for UKRI’s innovation mission.
- Influence the positioning of Innovate UK in UK-wide and global innovation ecosystems.
Decision-Making and Governance:
- Lead strategic decision-making in politically complex environments.
- Oversee governance, risk management, and assurance processes for innovation programmes and investment decisions.
Your Skills and Experience:
- Proven track record of senior executive leadership within government innovation agencies or major research funders.
- Demonstrable authority and credibility in influencing senior stakeholders.
- Deep experience leading complex, cross-sector innovation initiatives.
- Strategic leadership of multi-disciplinary senior teams.
- Recognised as a leader in innovation ecosystems.
Desirable Experience:
- Sector expertise in one or more frontier technologies.
- Experience navigating UKRI or similar governance frameworks.
- Postgraduate qualifications or equivalent senior executive leadership training desirable.
Behaviours and Capabilities:
- Strategic Leadership: Driving strategic vision and execution with national economic impact.
- Communicating and Influencing: Representing Innovate UK at the highest levels of government and industry.
- Seeing the Big Picture: Connecting macroeconomic, scientific, and sectoral dynamics to long-term innovation outcomes.
- Decision-Making: Making bold, accountable decisions in complex policy, funding, and economic landscapes.
- Working Together: Driving alignment across central government, devolved administrations, business, and academia.
- Delivering at Pace: Ensuring exceptional delivery of funding, innovation programmes, and operational excellence.
Why this role matters: As Managing Director, you will be at the forefront of delivering the UK’s innovation strategy - translating policy into impact, aligning investment with national goals, and building an agile and high-performing Innovate UK.
How to Apply: Please submit your application via the UKRI Careers Portal by 23:55 on Sunday 31st May 2026. You will need to supply a curriculum vitae (CV) and a supporting statement/covering letter demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria.
Benefits: UKRI can offer the successful candidate access to Civil Service Pension Scheme, flexible working, 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays, and various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider.
Managing Director - Innovate UK employer: Innovate UK
Contact Detail:
Innovate UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Managing Director - Innovate UK
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections within UKRI and Innovate UK. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in innovation and how they relate to the role. Show us you’re not just a candidate, but a thought leader ready to drive change!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your vision for Innovate UK and how you plan to lead the organisation. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who follow the process!
We think you need these skills to ace Managing Director - Innovate UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Managing Director role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant achievements that align with Innovate UK's mission. We want to see how your background fits into our vision!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria. Remember, this is your chance to shine and show us your passion for innovation!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep both your CV and cover letter to a maximum of two A4 pages each. We appreciate clarity and brevity, so make every word count! Focus on the most relevant information that showcases your skills and experience.
Submit Through Our Portal: Don't forget to apply through the UKRI Careers Portal by the deadline! This ensures your application is processed correctly. If you run into any issues, just drop us an email at seniorrecruitment@ukri.org and we'll help you out.
How to prepare for a job interview at Innovate UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Innovate UK's mission and recent initiatives. Familiarise yourself with their strategic vision and how it aligns with national goals. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your experience can contribute to their objectives.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Managing Director, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead complex teams and drive performance. Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully led multidisciplinary teams or influenced key stakeholders. Highlight your strategic decision-making skills in politically complex environments.
✨Engage with Current Trends
Stay updated on the latest trends in innovation, especially in sectors like AI, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. Be ready to discuss how these trends impact the UK’s innovation landscape and how you envision Innovate UK's role in shaping these developments.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street. Prepare insightful questions that reflect your understanding of Innovate UK's challenges and opportunities. Ask about their approach to fostering innovation ecosystems or how they plan to navigate future uncertainties. This shows you're not just interested in the role, but also in the organisation's future.