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 Inclusions (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 a Inclusive Innovation Communities Partner within Innovate UK Business Connect, you will play a pivotal role in the development, execution, and impact of these programmes.



Your primary focus will be to lead community engagement efforts, ensuring that innovators from diverse backgrounds receive the support, mentorship, and resources needed to thrive. This includes driving tailored outreach strategies, engagement activities, and targeted support for programme participants and wider innovation communities across the UK.



Working closely with the Head of D&I and the Senior D&I Partner, you will engage directly with underrepresented communities, ensuring their voices and needs are reflected in our programmes. You will be responsible for the design, development, and execution of workshops, networking events, and peer-to-peer engagement initiatives, empowering women, young innovators, and other diverse groups to actively participate in the UK's innovation ecosystem.



You will play a key role in building and maintaining relationships with strategic partners and key stakeholders, working closely with external organisations, government bodies, and investment networks to expand opportunities for the communities we serve.

Effective project management will be essential, as you will oversee programme budgets, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and use data-driven insights to refine and enhance delivery

In collaboration with the Reach and Engagement team you will ensure that inclusive messaging, impactful storytelling, and strong digital engagement help raise the profile of the No Limits Platform and Innovate UK's Inclusive Innovation Programmes.

You will contribute to Innovate UK Business Connect's success, supporting businesses in connecting with the broader innovation support ecosystem, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and other relevant government departments and leadership bodies across the UK and globally.

Through a proactive, and community-led approach, you will help drive systemic change in the UK's innovation ecosystem, ensuring it is more equitable, diverse, and representative of the society it serves. This role reports to the Senior D&I Partner and involves close collaboration with the D&I team and the Innovate UK Inclusive Innovation Programmes team.

Roles & Responsibilities

Lead and support innovation and business growth by building and strengthening communities. You will drive the delivery of community engagement projects such as the Women in Innovation and Young Innovators programmes. By fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing, you will ensure underrepresented innovators have access to the support, mentorship, and resources necessary to succeed and thrive. Manage selected projects within the D&I portfolio, overseeing all aspects of risk management, reporting, stakeholder satisfaction, quality assurance, and impact measurement. You will ensure that each project aligns with Innovate UK's strategic priorities and delivers measurable outcomes that contribute to a more inclusive innovation ecosystem. Plan, design, and oversee project execution, taking a proactive approach to monitoring progress, resolving challenges, and implementing corrective actions to keep projects on track. You will ensure that all initiatives are impact-driven, scalable, and aligned with the needs of the innovation communities we support. Manage relationships, engagement, and communications with a broad range of key stakeholders, including government bodies, industry leaders, investors, and community partners. You will ensure that engagement efforts are meaningful, effective, and aligned with the strategic goals of the Inclusive Innovation Communities programmes. Expand and develop a strong network of strategically aligned relationships, forging senior-level partnerships that enhance the reach and impact of Inclusive Innovation initiatives. Using your established network, you will build and sustain communities relevant to the team's project portfolio, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. Engage with teams across Innovate UK and Innovate UK Business Connect, including the Reach and Engagement, Sector, and Place teams, to ensure the Inclusive Innovation Programmes are well-promoted and widely understood. This will involve creating engaging materials, leveraging media channels, and implementing tailored communication strategies to reach diverse audiences. Demonstrate and maintain a strong understanding of D&I best practices, integrating them into all aspects of programme design, implementation, and evaluation. You will stay informed on emerging trends, policy developments, and sector insights, ensuring that Innovate UK remains at the forefront of inclusive innovation. Support the delivery of the Reasonable Adjustments Service, ensuring that applicants facing barriers to submitting grant applications receive appropriate assistance. Undertake reporting responsibilities in alignment with Innovate UK Business Connect's impact measurement framework, ensuring transparency and accountability. You will take ownership of complex and emerging areas of work, defining knowledge transfer activities that translate research and insights into practical, high-impact solutions. Work closely with the Senior D&I Partner to translate strategy into actionable business decisions and implementation plans for Innovate UK Business Connect's D&I initiatives. You will be responsible for delivering against key business metrics, tracking progress, and capturing success stories and tangible outcomes that highlight the impact of the programmes.

Experience & Skills

Essential Experience

Experience in planning, coordinating, and delivering complex and innovative programmes requiring multi-stakeholder buy-in and commitment. Leading project delivery with inclusive, clear decision-making, using judgement, evidence, and taking responsibility. Demonstrable experience in stakeholder engagement and relationship management, particularly within underrepresented communities. Extensive experience in facilitating conversations, workshops, and public engagement initiatives that drive meaningful outcomes. Capturing and analysing the impact of our activities, using data-driven insights to shape programme development. Demonstrable knowledge and experience of working with innovation processes and promoting inclusion within innovation. Managing and maintaining oversight of project deliverables, targets, KPIs, and outcomes.

Desirable Experience

Demonstrable relevant experience in an Inclusion-focused role. Strong understanding and application of Inclusive best practices in programme delivery. Budget responsibility for projects and programmes Experience in communications, or outreach strategies to reach underrepresented communities. Experience supporting accessibility initiatives, such as providing Reasonable Adjustments, to ensure inclusive participation in innovation programmes. Knowledge of public funding programmes and private finance mechanisms relevant to innovation and business support. Understanding of UK innovation policy, public funding structures, and their role in inclusive innovation strategies.

Essential Skills

Proven project management, facilitation, and organisational skills to oversee multiple programmes effectively. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently and build strong relationships both internally and externally. Ability to translate complex ideas into clear, accessible messaging across multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholders. Team player with strong influencing skills, working in an open, honest, and diverse environment. Curiosity and openness to changes and learning. Results-oriented mindset with a proven ability to deliver complex projects on time and to a high standard. High-level digital literacy, including the ability to leverage online platforms for engagement, content creation, and programme promotion. Numerical and analytical skills to assess programme effectiveness and contribute to impact reporting. Exemplary attention to detail, ensuring high-quality outputs in project delivery.

Desirable Skills

Confidence in engaging with senior leaders, government officials, and key decision-makers. Commercial awareness, with the ability to use market insights to improve strategies internally and externally.

Benefits & how to apply

This role is Grade 5 - the salary will be 35,926 to 40,000 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 Sunday 31st August.


First stage interviews w/c 8th September.



Second stage interviews w/c 22nd 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.