At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive innovation by connecting researchers with industry and funding opportunities.
- Company: UCL Innovation and Enterprise, part of a leading global university.
- Benefits: 41 days holiday, pension scheme, on-site gym, and employee support services.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact by transforming cutting-edge research into solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in innovation development and partnership building is essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
About us UCL Innovation and Enterprise is a group of specialist teams working with students and staff to encourage a spirit of enterprise, create links with the outside world and accelerate UCL’s innovation and impact.
It is part of the wider Research, Innovation & Global Engagement (RIGE) function.
UCL Innovation and Enterprise's work is at the heart of UCL’s ambition to change the world for the better and plays a vital part in our shared mission to tackle the great global challenges of our time.
About the role We’re looking for an Innovation Development Manager to join its Strategic Innovation Partnerships team.
This is an exciting opportunity to help identify and develop innovative ideas emerging from UCL's world-leading research, supporting academics to transform promising discoveries into impactful collaborations, funded projects and market-ready opportunities.
Working closely with colleagues across UCL's innovation ecosystem, including UCL Ventures, UCL Consultants, faculty teams and external partners, you will play a key role in connecting researchers with industry and funding opportunities.
You will develop strategic relationships with businesses, advise academics on innovation pathways, facilitate workshops that generate new innovation opportunities, and support collaborative funding applications that accelerate research towards commercial and societal impact.
This is a secondment opportunity at 0.9FTE for a period of 12 months.
A full job description is attached to this advert.
About you We're looking for someone with experience of innovation development, partnership building or research commercialisation, alongside a strong understanding of the UK research and innovation landscape.
You will have a proven ability to develop successful collaborations with industry, secure external funding, manage complex projects and engage confidently with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
Experience delivering workshops or innovation events is essential, while knowledge of technology or product development within industry would be an advantage.
This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to UCL's ambitious Innovation and Enterprise Strategy, working with outstanding researchers and partners to translate cutting-edge research into solutions that deliver real-world impact.
What we offer As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan• Immigration loan• Relocation scheme for certain posts• On-Site nursery• On-site gym• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service• Discounted medical insurance Visit https://www. ucl. ac. uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent.
We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.
These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
Innovation Development Manager (Internal Applicants Only) in London employer: University College London
University College London is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, particularly within the Cultural and Community Engagement team at UCL East. As an apprentice, you will benefit from hands-on experience in communications while being supported by a team dedicated to your professional growth and development. With a focus on diversity and community involvement, this role offers unique opportunities to engage with various events and initiatives that make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Development Manager (Internal Applicants Only) in London
✨Leverage Innovation Hubs
Tap into local innovation hubs and research centres. These places often host events and workshops where you can meet like-minded people and industry leaders. Plus, they might have job openings that aren't widely advertised, so keep your ears open!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Turn your past innovation projects into compelling stories. Create a portfolio showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills. This can give hiring managers a real flavour of what you can bring to the table at companies like University College London.
✨Connect at Industry Conferences
Make it a point to attend industry conferences and seminars focused on R&D and innovation management. These events are fantastic for networking and often have job boards or career fairs where you can connect directly with firms looking for talent.
✨Use Your University’s Resources
If you're fresh out of university, don't forget to tap into your institution's career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies seeking new talent in R&D, especially for full-time roles. It's a good shortcut to landing a gig at places like University College London.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Development Manager (Internal Applicants Only) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Creative Thinking:In innovation and R&D management, it's all about thinking outside the box. Make sure your CV highlights any projects or experiences that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've developed and implemented innovative ideas in previous roles.
Tailor Your Experience to R&D:When you're crafting your CV, focus on your experience in research and development. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, including methodologies used and results achieved. This will show us at University College London that you understand the R&D process and can contribute meaningfully to our projects.
Let Your Passion Shine in the Cover Letter:For a full-time role like this, your cover letter should reflect your genuine passion for innovation and development. Share your excitement about the opportunity to work at University College London and touch on how your goals align with our mission. This helps us see your motivation for wanting to join our team!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in R&D! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your CV. Whether it’s a percentage improvement in project outcomes, the budget size you’ve managed, or the number of successful products you've launched, these figures will help paint a clearer picture of your impact and capabilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at University College London
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at University College London, they're going to want to see how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to discuss previous projects where you introduced a new idea or process. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and provide examples where your innovations drove significant results.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Technologies
Make sure you're clued up on the latest tools and technologies related to innovation management, such as project management software and data analysis platforms. Being able to discuss specific tools you’ve used or have experience with will show University College London that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, emphasising your teamwork skills will be essential. In innovation, collaboration often sparks the best ideas, so be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively within cross-functional teams in your past roles. Have concrete examples at the ready!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions in your interview that reflect real challenges you might face in the role. £At University College London, they might want to see how you handle tight deadlines or manage conflicting ideas within a team. Prepare some responses that demonstrate your critical thinking and decisiveness in high-pressure situations.
