Innovation Lead - Clean Energy Missions R&D MAP

Innovation Lead

Salary
: £58,589 Per Annum.
Band
: UKRI Band

F.
Contract type
:
Open Ended.
Hours
:
Full Time or Part Time. (Minimum 0.8 FTE)
Location
:
Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire.

Closing Date
: 20/03/2026

R&D Missions Accelerator Programme represents an exceptional opportunity to create real world impact through R&D investment.

The programme will utilise a £500m budget to bring together the private sector, the third sectors and academia to collaboratively develop innovative solutions to public sector problems, resulting in new technologies, services, IP and more.

The programme has been designed to solve the key problems facing HMG’s five national Missions and enable delivery of the milestones in the Plan for Change.

The Government has identified the key problems faced by the UK, to which the R&D Missions Accelerator Programme has designed Research and Innovation (RI) Challenges to develop solutions. Importantly, these solutions will then be directly utilised in addressing public sector needs.

The programme is currently developing its approaches across the Missions, and therefore by joining at this stage there’s a significant opportunity to establish and drive the strategic and operational direction of the programme.

The Clean Energy Mission is the UK’s response to climate change, with its twin focus on Clean Power by 2030 and Accelerating to Net Zero. You will be leading a team of energy and innovation experts looking at how innovation can rapidly accelerate levels of consumer‑led flexibility and develop new ultra‑long duration energy storage technologies. These areas are critical to creating the affordable, resilient and energy secure system which will power our future economy.

You will drive bold innovation, forge new partnerships and shape groundbreaking programmes that deliver innovation alongside major policy and market reform.

A background in energy and/or climate, ideally with an innovation angle, technical and commercial skills are all strongly desirable for the Clean Energy mission.

As an Innovation Lead, the role holder will be responsible for developing and implementing, with partners, the innovation strategy for R&D MAP. It will involve coordination of private, third sector, and government support taking a key role in development of future strategic initiatives in this fast‑moving programme. Commercially minded with significant industry/sector experience, the role holder will seek to deliver the objectives of our investments and to ensure that opportunities for UK businesses are maximised in line with the aims of the programme.

The role holder will report to the Challenge Senior Team and work closely with the wider R&D MAP Hub and Challenge Teams.

This position requires a person with a deep understanding of the pathway to commercialisation, they need to be technically literate and business‑aware, with strong interpersonal skills. They should be capable of leading the thinking in their area of expertise, contributing to the creation and implementation of wider R&D MAP strategies.

• Lead the development and implementation of R&D MAP challenge strategies and funding to enable industry to develop and commercialise new products, processes, business models and services
• Build and manage relationships with businesses, trade associations, Catapults, government departments and agencies, private investors, regulatory bodies, and research organisations
• Work with funding partners and industry groups to ensure alignment of activities to maximise impact on relevant sectors
• Ensuring that resources are targeted at the companies and technology areas that are most likely to create impact
• Support communications and engagement activities, representing R&D MAP at leading industry events, raising awareness of the innovation opportunities that exist
• Support international activities to ensure that UK activity is set in an international context
• This is not an exhaustive list, and the post-holder might be expected to undertake any other duties, commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post.

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

• Degree in a relevant subject to the Clean Energy Mission or equivalent experience. (S)
• Strong commercial acumen, ideally with commercial experience, particularly in the start‑up and innovation space. (S&I)
• Specific experience in one or more aspects of policy translation and commercialisation of research and innovation across different sectors, such as technology assessment, product development, regulation and commercialisation routes for new partnerships. (S&I)
• Proven ability to deliver major and complex programmes to time, cost and required quality. (S&I)
• Strong experience in managing relationships with various internal and external stakeholders, including across the third and private sector. (S&I)
• Demonstrative ability to facilitate…