Senior Futures Programme Manager

Your base location will be in Swindon (Polaris House). However, the working location is flexible if you are able to travel to Polaris House when required. The role may require travel, both nationally and internationally.

Purpose:

The role plays a pivotal role in delivering the Futures team objectives as part of achieving NERC’s ambition. The Senior Futures Programme Manager provides day-to-day leadership and management of foresight activities, Futures idea pipeline and perform analysis to identify the emerging trends and market opportunities that are key to UK success. The post holder will lead on analysis and interpretation of data and market intelligence and work closely with UKRI/NERC colleagues and external partners in the development of new business cases, plans and strategies based on the best available evidence. 

Futures team applies a range of foresight toolkits and engage strategic business at C-suit level to gain insights into emerging trends and grand challenges to recommend and secure investment on most promising areas for UK prosperity where environmental sciences can contribute towards a systems solution.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver Futures insights activities (foresight such as horizon scanning and scenario analysis and related approaches) to provide NERC with intelligence of longer-term business and industry challenges where environmental science can play a role.
• Provide credible and high quality analysis and insights to support the development of business cases and strategies via evaluating market research reports and business insights and coordinating the procurement and contract management of relevant resources.  This includes:
  • Delivering NERC’s strategic business engagement plan to gain market insights and to inform development of new research and future NERC strategy.
  • Supporting the development of bold and ambitious NERC-led business cases and programme bids for UKRI collective funds, such as ISCF and SPF. 
  • Working across UKRI and the wider UKRI “family” (e.g. Knowledge Transfer Network and Catapults), public bodies and other organisations to share insights and good practice in market analysis
• Evaluate and update Futures’ strategic business engagement plan and engage stakeholders via a range of tailored mechanisms, such as interviews, roundtables and business breakfasts.
• Work closely and collaboratively with the Business Partnerships function, Strategic Programme Generation team and other NERC colleagues to ensure a joined-up approach to business and industry engagement and development of Futures-led programmes and business cases.
• Develop and implement evaluation activities to demonstrate effectiveness of foresight and business engagement activities. 
• Contribute to the delivery of NERC’s strategic engagement plan.
• Participate in cross-UKRI projects and share good practice with counterparts across UKRI.
• Deputise for the Head of Futures as needed.

Shortlisting and Interview Criteria:

Essential skills: 

• Ability to analyse business supply chains and markets, understand business challenges and spot opportunities to address them through environmental science and innovation as part of a systems approach.
• Business literate, with an excellent understanding of how businesses and markets work and how they use scientific research and innovation.
• Experience in leading and delivering a market intelligence and analysis service with a focus on research and innovation. 
• Ability to meet ambitious deadlines, manage a diverse range of portfolio simultaneously and work flexibly on own initiative.
• A track record of successful programme / portfolio management of research or innovation activities undertaken in collaboration with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and networks with a range of internal and external stakeholders at all levels, and to use these to deliver outcomes for the organisation.
• Excellent team working skills, and experience of encouraging a collaborative approach within and across teams and organisations; including recognising the contribution of individuals and enabling them to realise their potential.
• Ability to absorb, evaluate and communicate complex information and new concepts in language appropriate to the audience.
• Ability to prepare briefings and communicate effectively (both verbal and written) to a wide range of audience.

Desirable skills: 

• Passion for and understanding of the UK research and innovation ecosystem – including UKRI and NERC roles, stakeholders and the political environment we operate in. 
• Passion for and understanding of how NERC science and innovation contributes solutions to the economy and society – our ‘offer’ to Government Strategies and businesses 
• Experience in developing successful business cases or funding proposals.
• Experience in organising workshops, events and conferences in person or online.
• Able to demonstrate flexibility in working approach to meet changing business priorities.