Senior Mission Manager in London

We are Nesta, the UK’s innovation agency for social good. We design, test and scale solutions to society’s biggest problems. Our three missions are to give every child a fair start, help people live healthy lives, and create a sustainable future where the economy works for both people and the planet.

For over 20 years, we have worked to support, encourage and inspire innovation. We work in three roles: as an innovation partner working with frontline organisations to design and test new solutions, as a venture builder supporting new and early stage businesses, and as a system shaper creating the conditions for innovation.

Harnessing the rigour of science and the creativity of design, we work relentlessly to change millions of lives for the better.

About A Healthy Life Mission: We want to increase the number of years lived in good health for all. We are focusing on tackling one of the biggest drivers of lost years of healthy life: obesity. Our primary focus currently is on improving our food environments i.e. making healthy food more available, accessible, affordable, appealing and convenient for all. We work across sectors - with businesses, national policymakers, local government, academics and other charities - in order to drive the changes we need to see to improve health.

The role: A senior mission manager leads and supports complex multidisciplinary projects and programmes that deliver high social impact. They are passionate about reaching Nesta’s ambitious mission goals and improving the lives of millions. They work closely with the mission leadership team on a portfolio of interlinked projects, working at pace and balancing competing priorities. They are comfortable with ambiguity and take an evidence-informed approach to decision making. They work closely with internal and external partners across a range of disciplines including design, data science, behavioural science and research. They manage people and teams to deliver high-impact outputs, alongside their professional development.

This role specifically - Senior Mission Manager (Policy & Analysis) - will oversee our work on policy, working with the Deputy Director. They will ensure that we have a high-impact policy portfolio across the mission. This will mean they identify opportunities, develop ideas and advise on policy projects. They will also be responsible for ensuring our policy work is based on high quality evidence and analysis. This will mean they have the technical skills needed to offer advice and quality assure the best analytical approaches for our policy or wider work.

The person:

• Knowledge of policy and UK Government: you understand how the UK Government works, how policy is designed and developed, and can build and lead a high-impact policy portfolio for the mission. You have experience of developing policy and understand what is needed to get a policy idea adopted by the Government.
• Analytical skills: you have the skills or experience necessary to be able to advise the team on which analytical approach to take and quality assure the analytical or technical methods the team or project have used. You can critically appraise evidence and conduct research, and use it to make effective decisions.
• Programme management skills: you can develop, build and oversee a complex portfolio of interlinking policy projects. You proactively plan work, identify and act on risks and issues, and ensure that key stakeholders are engaged throughout.
• People and team management: You can motivate and manage a team to effectively deliver their projects and milestones, while taking time to aid their professional development.
• Leadership: you are comfortable setting direction for a team. You can navigate ambiguity, helping a team to spot and capitalise on the most impactful opportunities. You act as a thought leader for the mission, enhancing and broadening its reputation, and representing the mission externally.
• Experience working on obesity / health policy, research or analysis: Applying methods, such as quantitative analysis, behavioural science, data science, or experimental design.

What we offer:

• Salary: £64,800 - £78,600 (offers are expected to be made towards the bottom of the band) plus array of benefits, including private medical insurance, dental insurance, the ability to buy and sell annual leave, eyecare vouchers and more.
• Location: This role is based in London, hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of two days in the office.
• Term: Permanent (this role can be offered as a secondment).
• Hours: This is a full-time role but we offer a range of flexible working arrangements and encourage our people to take advantage of them. Many do.
• Reports to: Deputy Director, A Healthy Life Mission.
• Flexibility: This role is available to be a job-share.

Making an application: To apply for this role, please submit your application before 8am on Monday 16th February. Interviews will take place on w/c 23rd February.

At Nesta, we believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results. We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our workplace to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

This means that when we are recruiting, we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates. It also means that we are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful. We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, compressed or part-time hours, job shares and other arrangements. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.