This role is pivotal in horizon scanning and working with business leaders and stakeholders across the UK Research and Innovation ecosystem to identify the most pressing sectorial challenges. The post-holder will work with the Head of Futures and relevant stakeholders to co-create business cases for investment, leveraging funding from outside of NERC.
The Senior Futures Programme Manager provides day-to-day leadership and management of foresight activities and the Futures ideas pipeline, performing 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 will closely with UKRI/NERC colleagues and external partners in the development of new business cases, plans and strategies based on the best available evidence.
Overview of the Natural Environment Research Council
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC, https://nerc.ukri.org/) is the UK's leading public funder of environmental science - they invest public money in world-leading science, designed to help us sustain and benefit from our natural resources, predict and respond to natural hazards and to flourish through responsible action based on an understand ing of environmental change. NERC has a proud history of identifying the issues that communities in the UK and worldwide face on a changing planet. For over 50 years, our work has increased understanding of environmental challenges and enabled effective responses to them.
Nationally, our science continues to help the UK achieve the goals set out in the government’s Industrial Strategy, Clean Growth Strategy, and in the 25-year Environment Plan and devolved policy, as well as supporting efforts to achieve the 80% cut in CO2 emissions by 2050 outlined in the 2008 Climate Change Act. Internationally, this science plays a central role in each of the assessment reports published by the IPCC, and informs efforts to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and to answer the World Economic Forum’s assessment of global risks in 2019, where environmental risks dominate.
About the Team
Working at the cutting edge, where environmental science makes a real difference to the business bottom line, the Futures team identifies the trends and challenges that matter most to industry, where environmental science has a role to play in finding solutions. We work in partnership, convening coalitions and securing inward investment to build ambitious, impactful programmes. The team applies a range of foresight toolkits, e.g. Horizon Scanning and engages strategic business at C-suite level to gain insights into emerging trends and grand challenges in the most promising areas for UK and environmental prosperity.
What we are looking for:
A programme / portfolio manager with excellent business literate, who can understand business challenges and spot opportunities. You will have solid experience in delivering market intelligence and analysis with a focus on research and innovation. You should be able to meet ambitious deadlines as well as manage a diverse range of portfolio simultaneously. Ability to work both own initiative and in collaboration with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
Benefits
This position includes: 30 days holiday (plus bank holidays), an excellent pension scheme, employee shopping/travel discounts, cycle to work scheme, plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have an excellent work-life balance.
UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.
Apply here
