Principal Responsibilities

Transcription

1 Job Title: Leicester Innovation Hub Business Manager Grade: 8 Salary: 41,709-46,924 per annum Department: Leicester Innovation Hub (Research and Enterprise Division) Contract: Fixed Term Contract until 31 st March 2020 Job Reference: CSE01861 Post Responsible To: Head of Regional Business Engagement with dotted line to LIH Director and the 3 Head of College Research & Enterprise Partnerships Role Purpose To lead and manage the successful delivery of practical innovation and incubation support from the University through the Leicester Innovation Hub (part-funded by European Regional Development Fund). To intensively support qualifying SMEs to become more innovative and as a result introduce new products, services or new processes in collaboration with the University. To manage and deliver the demanding ERDF and University outputs and outcomes on time and to budget by managing the Innovation Team and Innovation Hub. To deliver a financially sustainable Innovation Centre by proactively building and maintaining research, business and industry activity in the University s smart specialisation in relevant area of expertise, developing partnerships with businesses to capitalise on colleges research and grow enterprise activity. To build a pipeline and manage commercial and collaborative project opportunities in line with priority Innovate UK themes and Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. Resources Managed Operational management of a significant Innovation Hub facilities Full responsibility and management for project budget and output/results delivery Full compliance with ERDF and University systems, processes and regulations Line management of Innovation Hub project staff Full responsibility for business liaison and relationship management with internal and external colleagues Responsibility for Innovation Hub promotion along with creating opportunities to celebrate successful collaborations with SMEs, launch of innovations and new business start-ups. Principal Responsibilities To deliver the Leicester Innovation Hub successfully, to target, on time and budget by developing and delivering innovation support activities for the benefit of SMEs and University graduates in collaboration with the University i.e.: % Time 65 Version Number: 1 Page 1 of 5 Date of Issue: 24/07/2017

2 To deliver contracted ERDF and UoL outputs and outcomes by working closely with the LIH Director, academic staff, Research Institutes, R&ED and research groups across the University and in multi-disciplinary teams. To manage the Leicester Innovation Hub core delivery staff and project budgets Develop and optimise processes, procedures and reporting systems to effectively and professionally deliver the programme To recruit and support SMEs as appropriate to build a strong business cluster and collaborative opportunities. To develop and grow number of collaborative relationships with businesses, delivery partners, including academics, and other stakeholders as relevant Working closely with LIH director support SMEs innovation needs by identifying and matching academic research strengths with SME needs from across the University by liaising with and working closely with other innovation/knowledge exchange projects across the University e.g. ASDEC, SoLSTICE, Leicester Start-Up Accelerator and the Research Institutes To manage, monitor and produce essential reports, claims, budgets and KPIs to meet ERDF and University reporting and claims requirements Lead and support the team to coordinate collaborative funding bids by coordinating the activities of project teams across SME partners, other business partners, academic and professional services. To project manage Leicester Innovation Hub facilities and innovation support activities by ensuring the facilities are used and maintained to a high standard To represent the Leicester Innovation Hub at an appropriate level at a range of events including conferences and exhibitions which will include out of hours working. Working with academics and the College RED team to deliver on growth in core areas identified within the relevant colleges plans: collaborative research, contract research, consultancy. Working closely with Head of Regional Business Engagement and LIH Director lead and develop innovation events and workshops for SME and stakeholders to showcase University of Leicester s smart specialisations and innovation tools and techniques. Develop relevant marketing and communication collateral including videos, press releases and cases studies in partnership with Marketing and Communication and Head of Regional Business to promote the Innovation Hub and the University s wider knowledge exchange initiatives to develop greater number of collaborative R&D opportunities, case studies and REF impact To undertake other duties as may be required commensurate with the role. Version Number: 1 Page 2 of 5 Date of Issue: 24/07/2017

3 Internal and External Relationships Project Director, Board, Management Team, Innovation Team in Innovation Hub and Steering groups Colleagues in the Research and Enterprise Division and those based in the Leicester Innovation Hub e.g. ASI, East Midlands Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications, CAMEo Academics across the University to align services to research strengths and promotion of said strengths Colleagues in Career Development Service and the Graduates and students they are supporting through the Innovation Hub Business Owners, Managing Directors and Senior Staff in SMEs. LLEP Business Gateway, Business intermediaries and support organisations, e.g. FSB, IOD, Chamber of Commerce, Food Park. Academic colleagues from the Colleges of Science and Engineering, Medicine, Biological Science and Psychology and Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities. Planning and Organising Further develop Leicester Innovation Hub delivery plan Plan and organise own and team workload Plan and organise delivery of multi-faceted innovation support including specialist workshops and the successful operation of the Innovation Hub facilities Deliver management reports and statistics for internal and external consumption Prepare and submit compliant quarterly ERDF claims Plan systems and processes to achieve delivery outputs Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Essential Appropriate first degree with relevant industrial experience* Proven ability and experience of delivering ERDF funded programmes in a HEI environment* Experience of delivering innovation support programmes to SMEs* Commercial acumen and experience combined with business development experience (proposals, negotiation)* Proven experience and track record of large complex budget, staff and project management and financial reporting* Project management and line management experience* Understanding of and experience working with HE sector and UK innovation funding structures and bodies. Version Number: 1 Page 3 of 5 Date of Issue: 24/07/2017

4 Desirable Experience of managing physical innovation space Track record of developing and writing bids Postgraduate qualification Experience of University and ERDF management systems (SAP, MCIS) Skills, Abilities and Competencies Essential Ability to build strong relationships with core stakeholders, business intermediaries and senior business owner managers* Experience of Business development and knowledge Exchange by engaging in strategic and operational discussions to deliver the Innovation Hub operational plan* Proven ability and experience to multi-task and deliver complex and customised flexible solutions to businesses across the region managing multi-stakeholder projects* Proven communication, negotiation and presentation skills and ability to promote the University of Leicester to a range of audiences* Ability to draft and negotiate contracts, confidentiality and collaborative agreements* A self-starter who is able to work as part of a team Proven experience of managing professional delivery teams Desirable Workshop delivery and business support to SMEs Proven and extensive experience in working with and managing complex and demanding relationships and engagement with academics within a university *Criteria to be used in shortlisting candidates for interview Contract Information Fixed-term externally part-funded by ERDF with immediate start to 31 st March Working hours This is a full-time appointment and you will be expected to work 37.5 hours per week. The role requires you to regularly work out of hours (e.g. attendance at breakfast workshops and evening events), primarily in Leicester and Leicestershire and occasionally in the midlands region. Additional Information This role is key to the success of the University of Leicester s Innovation Hub in which the University and ERDF are investing over 5.1m. The successful candidate will require significant EU funded programmes project and budget management and delivery skills in a Higher Education environment. The role will be supported by the wider Innovation Hub team and Director who will work together to support the successful delivery of the Leicester Innovation Hub programme. Version Number: 1 Page 4 of 5 Date of Issue: 24/07/2017

5 Equality and Diversity The University of Leicester is committed to positively advancing equality of opportunity. We participate in a number of equalities initiatives which celebrate good employment practice for the advancement of diversity and equality. These include the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, the Race Equality Charter and Athena Swan (for which we are currently Bronze award holders). We are proud to be selected as one of only ten Universities internationally to be an impact champion for HeForShe, a global solidarity movement for gender equality. We also have a number of staff equality fora who champion the advancement of equalities for diverse groups. To find out more please visit the Equalities webpage. Staff Benefits 24 days annual leave plus 6 closure days plus bank holidays Pension Discounted gym membership Childcare voucher schemes Version Number: 1 Page 5 of 5 Date of Issue: 24/07/2017