At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK's innovation agenda and drive impactful projects across various sectors.
- Company: Join Innovate UK, a leader in fostering innovation and economic growth.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, performance bonuses, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with significant influence and career advancement potential.
- Why this job: Shape the future of UK innovation and make a real difference in the economy.
- Qualifications: Proven executive leadership experience in innovation or R&D sectors.
The predicted salary is between 145000 - 155000 € per year.
Innovate UK, Managing Director
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. Why? What is stopping our big ideas from becoming big businesses? 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. Industry giants. Where those with potential, realise the potential. We are here to back the UK’s most promising innovators: to give them the support, validation, connections and capital pathways that, together with others, help them to start, scale and stay in the UK. The world is becoming more uncertain and more competitive. But it is also filled with opportunities. The UK must seize the opportunities of the transformational technologies coming through today, not only using them, but creating and shaping them. Innovation, done right, can be the UK’s real strength. That is what we are here to deliver.
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. The Managing Director is a high‑profile representative of Innovate UK, engaging directly with government ministers, business leaders, and national stakeholders to drive UKRI’s innovation mission and the UK’s global competitiveness.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership and Accountability
- Lead business and organisation performance, embedding a cross‑team matrix structure that will deliver the new Innovate UK strategy, effective programme primacy and business‑first prioritisation.
- Partner with the Executive Chair to co‑lead the development and execution of Innovate UK’s strategic vision in alignment with UKRI and national industrial strategy.
- 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, ensuring targets are met across investment outcomes, economic impact, and policy objectives.
- 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, with overarching responsibility for organisational effectiveness.
- This includes accountability for an organisational wide core budget of £1bn and oversight of an additional £800m in externally managed programmes, ensuring alignment of resources, people, and operations to strategic priorities.
- Directly manage a senior executive team, including Directors and programme leads, overseeing a talented and multidisciplinary workforce and a wider community of experts totalling more than 1,000 people across the Innovate UK group of companies.
- Champion a high‑performance culture, inclusive leadership practices, and cross functional collaboration.
- Drive organisation‑wide capability development, succession planning, and talent strategy in coordination with UKRI corporate services.
- Influence
- External Influence at ‘C’ level and Policy Engagement across multidisciplinary stakeholders.
- Serve as Innovate UK’s lead representative to ministers, special advisers, select committees, and cross‑departmental groups – shaping the innovation policy landscape.
- Act as a public ambassador for UKRI’s innovation mission, leading strategic engagement with FTSE CEOs, investors, academia, and mission‑driven partners.
- Influence the positioning of Innovate UK within UK‑wide and global innovation ecosystems.
- Advocate for UK national policy and regulatory changes as a consequence of programme results and findings to accelerate UK high potential businesses.
- Decision‑Making and Governance
- Lead strategic decision‑making in politically complex environments, balancing economic, social, and scientific priorities.
- Oversee governance, risk management, and assurance processes for innovation programmes and investment decisions.
- Maintain full accountability for regulatory compliance, financial stewardship, and public value delivery.
Your Skills and Experience
(S) – Assessed at shortlisting (I) – Assessed at interview (S&I) – Assessed at shortlisting and interview
Essential Criteria
- Proven track record of senior executive leadership within government innovation agencies, major research funders, or within high‑profile industrial, corporate R&D, or innovation‑led organisations. (S&I)
- Demonstrable authority and credibility in influencing senior stakeholders, including briefing ministers, boards, investors, and regulators, and contributing to innovation strategy and policy development at a national or international level. (S&I)
- Deep experience leading complex, cross‑sector innovation initiatives with national or global impact, involving significant public and/or private investment. (S&I)
- Strategic leadership of multi‑disciplinary senior teams, with a strong track record of embedding a culture of delivery, performance, and excellence within complex organisations. (S&I)
- Recognised as a leader in innovation ecosystems, including innovation funding, public‑private partnerships, corporate venture or R&D investment, and the delivery of industrial or commercial strategy. (S&I)
Desirable Experience
- Sector expertise in one or more frontier technologies: AI, engineering biology, quantum, advanced connectivity, cybersecurity, or semiconductors.
- Experience navigating UKRI or similar governance frameworks and participating in cross‑organisational initiatives.
- Postgraduate qualifications or equivalent senior executive leadership training desirable.
Managing Director, Innovate UK employer: Innovate UK
Innovate UK is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the national innovation agenda while working in a dynamic and collaborative environment. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have access to extensive resources and support for professional development, alongside a competitive salary and performance-related bonuses. The role's field-based nature, combined with regular engagement with key stakeholders in London and Swindon, ensures a stimulating work culture that values innovation and inclusivity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Managing Director, Innovate UK
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry leaders, attend events, and engage in conversations that matter. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show them you're genuinely interested in Innovate UK.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Managing Director, Innovate UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Managing Director role at Innovate UK. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant achievements in innovation to grab our attention!
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past roles, focus on the impact you've made rather than just listing responsibilities. Use metrics and examples to illustrate how you've driven innovation or led successful projects. We love seeing tangible results!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your professional achievements. Share your passion for innovation and how it aligns with our mission at Innovate UK.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our official website. This ensures we receive all the necessary information and can process your application smoothly. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Innovate UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in Innovate UK’s mission and the current landscape of innovation in the UK. Brush up on recent projects, funding initiatives, and key players in the industry. This will show that you’re genuinely interested and prepared to lead.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Managing Director, your leadership approach is crucial. Be ready to discuss your experience in leading diverse teams and driving performance. Share specific examples of how you've fostered a high-performance culture and navigated complex organisational challenges.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to talk about your experience engaging with senior stakeholders, including government officials and business leaders. Think of examples where you’ve influenced policy or strategy at a high level, as this role requires strong external influence.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Vision
Articulate your vision for the future of innovation in the UK. Discuss how you would align Innovate UK’s strategic direction with national priorities. Be ready to share your thoughts on emerging technologies and how they can be harnessed to drive economic growth.
