Job Description

Description

We are committed to building a robust, inclusive, and accessible innovation ecosystem, ensuring that all innovators, regardless of background, have equitable opportunities to succeed. In the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Team, through tailored initiatives, resources, and guidance, we seek to empower innovators at every stage of their journey, helping them overcome specific challenges. Our work is committed to broadening the reach of innovation by engaging with underrepresented groups, regions, and sectors, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to a wider and more diverse audience. By celebrating role models and sharing their success stories, our work inspires future innovators while cultivating a supportive, mentorship-driven culture.



These initiatives, including the Women in Innovation and Young Innovators programmes, aim to broaden participation, foster inclusivity, and strengthen the UK's innovation landscape. In addition we support applicants who face accessibility challenges through our Reasonable Adjustments Service, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to engage fully in innovation funding opportunities.

Purpose of the role

As part of the Diversity and Inclusion team at Innovate UK Business Connect, you will play a key role in delivering community engagement programmes effectively and on time, ensuring they meet objectives and reach the right audiences. You will support the team in organising and executing events, managing the Purple Plaques initiative, and providing essential support for community engagement activities.

Your responsibilities will also include working closely with innovators, capturing key performance indicators (KPIs), documenting case studies, measuring impact, and maintaining CRM content.

Key duties include:Supporting the design and execution of community engagement events, including presentations, briefings, event copy, and invitations. Coordinating the Purple Plaques unveiling events and engaging with the communities we support. Liaising with speakers for our events and supporting cohort engagement via platforms like Microsoft Teams. Collecting and analysing KPIs, case studies, and other impact measures.
You will also contribute to the broader success of Innovate UK Business Connect by helping businesses, innovators, and people from the underrepresented communities that we support, engage with the wider innovation support ecosystem, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and other relevant organisations. Through a proactive, community-led approach, you will help drive systemic change within the UK's innovation sector, ensuring greater equity, diversity, and representation. This role reports directly to the Senior Diversity and Inclusion Partner and involves close collaboration with the D&I team and the Inclusive Innovation Programmes team at Innovate UK.

Roles & Responsibilities

Support the planning, coordination, and delivery of key projects, including Community Engagement and Inclusive Innovation Competitions by working with project management tools and collaborating across Innovate UK BC, Innovate UK teams, and external partners. Capture and document success stories, case studies, and impact measures from projects, events, and workshops to showcase the outcomes and contributions of the programmes. This would also include highlighting appropriate content to feature on the No Limits Platform. Support the organisation and coordination of meetings, workshops, and events, both remotely and across the UK, ensuring seamless execution. Assist the wider D&I team in delivering the D&I teams portfolio of work. Assist the wider Inclusive Innovation Communities team in delivering the D&I teams portfolio of work. This includes: scheduling and setting up meetings with clients, taking accurate and comprehensive notes, maintaining detailed files, ensuring all necessary documentation is up to date. Assist in tracking progress, liaising with relevant stakeholders, and contribute to continuous improvement of the Reasonable Adjustment Service. Maintain strong communication and collaboration with Innovate UK Business Connect , Innovate UK colleagues, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment across sector activities and integrated project delivery. Carry out essential administrative duties, including timely completion of accurate reports and meeting actions. To help maintain strong engagement and communication with businesses, counterparts in UKRI, Innovate UK, government departments and other relevant stakeholders. Track the progress of businesses and innovators supported by Innovate UK BC initiatives, measuring outcomes and gathering case studies and metrics for reporting and evaluation purposes. Support the delivery of KPIs and provide regular updates on activity progress, outcomes, and impact to stakeholders.

Experience & Skills

Essential Experience

Demonstrable experience in effective organisation and delivery of fast-paced, multi-stakeholder projects. Demonstrable project coordination skills. Good writing and presentation skills, with ability to translate complex topics for a broad audience. Some experience organising and delivering events and/or workshops. Demonstrable competencies in creating and managing project plans and in using Microsoft Office.

Desirable Experience

Understanding of the importance of networks. A good level of understanding and knowledge of inclusive best practice. Experience supporting accessibility initiatives, such as providing Reasonable Adjustments, to ensure inclusive participation in innovation programmes. Experience in presenting to small audiences of up to 100 delegates either internally or externally.

Essential Skills

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate confidently and build effective relationships. Team player with good relationship building and influencing skills; enjoys working in a collaborative manner in an open, honest, and diverse environment. Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively across multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholders, explaining complicated matters in an easy to grasp manner. Ability to take clear minutes and produce well-structured reports. Excellent attention to detail and strong organisational skills. High level of IT literacy including proficiency in Microsoft Office products.

Benefits & how to apply

This role is Grade 6 - the salary will be 31,786 to 33,822 pa 28 days annual leave plus 10.5 bank and public holidays Enhanced Pension Plan (up to 10% employer contribution) Life Assurance Employee Assistance Programme Cycle to Work Scheme Wider Wallet employee benefits high street discounts scheme Opportunities for continuous professional development as part of our Talent & Development Programme
This advert will close on Monday 25th August.


First stage interviews w/c 1st September.



Second stage interviews w/c 15th September.


Please apply by submitting a tailored cover letter outlining your suitability with specifics relating to the requirements of the role, and your CV outlining your experience.


Applicants must have the existing and ongoing right to work in the UK without restrictions as sponsorship for visas is not provided. Unfortunately, owing to the high number of applications received, we can only provide feedback to applicants selected for interview.



This role requires employees to

complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).

Should you wish to discuss this opportunity further, please contact the Recruitment Team by email to recruitment@iukbc.org.uk.


Innovate UK Business Connect strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where we can all be ourselves. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in the industry: people of colour, LGBTQ+ community, women, disabled people, people of any age or family status. We know that diversity makes us stronger and we strive to create a working environment that is inclusive, and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions.


We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to removing barriers for individuals with conditions, illnesses or disabilities and we will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process, and in their future role.


If you would like to request any reasonable adjustment, for any part of the recruitment process (including application), please let us know by emailing recruitment@iukbc.org.uk.

About Innovate UK Business Connect

We connect ideas, people, and communities to drive innovation that changes lives.



Innovation is complex. The journey from idea to market is not straightforward and requires a diverse range of know-how, investment, market knowledge and research. Innovate UK Business Connect exists to connect innovators with new partners and new opportunities beyond their existing thinking - accelerating ambitious ideas into real-world solutions.



The future holds both challenges and opportunities. We are passionate about working with innovative businesses to overcome these challenges and shape the opportunities and solutions that follow.



Our vision is to create a network of innovators so powerful its ideas will change the world.



While business is at the heart of our work, our diverse connections span government, funders, research and the third sector. This unrivalled overview and connectivity enable us to be a trusted guide through a complex global landscape of research, development, and innovation.