Duration Fixed-term post until December NewcastleGateshead Initiative. 35 hours Mon - Fri (with some weekend working)

Transcription

1 Job Description Job Title Innovation Champion Subject to funding, this post will be part-funded by England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme Duration Fixed-term post until December 2018 Location Working Hours Salary NewcastleGateshead Initiative 35 hours Mon - Fri (with some weekend working) Salary: To be negotiated depending on experience Position in Organisation Responsible for Content in the Great Exhibition which reflects the key industry innovation strengths of the region and inspires target audiences. Innovation sub-project Budget accountability Yes for elements of the Innovation sub-project within the overall GEOTN budget. (see accompanying information) Overall purpose of the job GEOTN will reflect the strength of innovation taking place across the region as well as highlighting its key innovation infrastructure. The Innovation Champion will work with the Regional Economic Partnerships, SMEs, Universities and other partner organisations to ensure that the Great Exhibition puts a spotlight on innovation which is taking place across multiple sectors. We are looking to appoint (via recruitment or secondment) an Innovation Champion to join the team; they will work alongside the Executive Director and Creative Producer to ensure that innovation is a thread that runs through the entire Exhibition. We are looking for someone who would be excited by the opportunity to be involved in such a major event and is confident dealing with government ministers, leading academics, key business leaders, innovators and a wide range of different SMEs. The Innovation Champion will be responsible for the successful delivery of the Innovation Sub-Project within the Great Exhibition of the North, ensuring that it reflects the key innovation strengths of the

2 region. They will work closely with the Great Exhibition of the North delivery team and assist NELEP SMEs in developing content for the wider exhibition and accessing new opportunities that will stimulate growth across multiple sectors. The Innovation Champion will engage and support NELEP businesses and connect them to relevant firms and organisations from the wider North to facilitate the crosspollination of ideas and open new dialogue. Responsibilities % Manage the Innovation Sub-Project (within GEOTN) in line with NGI, project and GEOTN objectives and to satisfy relevant funding bodies. Establish and maintain regional partnerships that are relevant to the Innovation Sub-Project; To gather sector specific intelligence and provide analysis and commentary for the benefit of the Innovation Sub-Project and beneficiaries 65% 25% 10% 100% Abbreviations used in this job description: ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) GEOTN (Great Exhibition of the North) Duties and responsibilities Manage the innovation project (within GEOTN) in line with NGI, the Innovation Sub-Project and GEOTN objectives and to satisfy relevant funding bodies Design and Delivery Develop and deliver the innovation strand of GEOTN ensuring it is high quality, inclusive and showcases innovation strengths from across the North. Work closely with the Creative Producer and Executive Director on the development and delivery of elements of GEOTN that directly relate to innovation and the Innovation Sub-Project. Develop and deliver the Innovation Sub-Project ensuring it is high quality, inclusive and relevant to NGI, project and GEOTN objectives and to satisfy relevant funding bodies; Ensure full and successful integration of the Innovation Sub-Project with the wider GEOTN maximising, wherever possible, the opportunities for the Innovation Sub-Project beneficiaries; Set up and maintain the Innovation Sub-Project steering group (Innovate UK, Innovation SuperNetwork, Digital Catapult (NETV);

3 Lead on procurement related to the Innovation Sub-Project Project and manage relationship with all suppliers Be proactive in developing any opportunities that might extend the Innovation Sub-Project impact and/or reach. Budgetary Investigate how NELEP SMEs can leverage value through GEOTN and the competitive investment opportunities it stimulates. Manage all individual budgets within the Innovation Sub-Project and work closely with the Head of Finance and the Development Manager to monitor expenditure and eligible spend. Compliance and Reporting Take responsibility for the collection of all outputs related to the Innovation Sub-Project; Work with the Head of Finance and the Development Manager to ensure robust and effective monitoring of the Innovation Sub-Project in relation to all funders, including ERDF; Ensure that Innovation Project objectives are adhered to and work-plans structured in such a way that project objectives are fulfilled and output targets met; Produce monthly Innovation Project reports to be included with ERDF claim submissions. Communications To work with the Creative Producer in proposing programme content for the GEOTN. To act as a central point of contact to pass through up to date information to the communications and marketing team at NGI and partner organisations in the administration of key Innovation Sub-Project and wider GEOTN communication and marketing campaigns. Work with NGI Marketing and Communications team to ensure a coherent and effective strategy to promote the Innovation Sub-Project as widely as possible; Market and advertise the Innovation Sub-Project fulfilling all responsibilities - ensure that funding support is acknowledged accurately. Establish and maintain regional partnerships that are relevant to the Innovation Project Provide additional direct liaison with identified project partners (including steering group) including business support networks, research institutions, FE institutions and University networks to understand the North s prime capabilities (advanced Manufacturing; digital; health innovation; energy) to ensure the Innovation sub-project and wider GEOTN reach beneficiaries in visible and meaningful ways; Help maintain and contribute to any regional networks that are set up to support the region s

4 business community, driving performance and growth and helping to find new routes to market; Actively pursue productive partnerships with relevant organisations (FE institutions, sector support organisations) to see where opportunities for the SMEs supported through the Innovation Sub-Project can be identified; Participate in the strategic promotion of the Innovation Sub-Project and wider GEOTN and the businesses it supports through partnerships, campaigns and/or media exposure. To gather sector specific intelligence and provide analysis and commentary for the benefit of the Innovation project and beneficiaries Regularly consult with all project beneficiaries to ensure that NGI can deliver a bespoke service that accurately meets need; Manage the relationship with the procured company that will evaluate the Innovation Sub-Project through its lifetime. Carry out such other duties as may be reasonably expected of the post as required Wider corporate responsibilities Contributing to the delivery of the organisation s partnership development objectives by assisting in the recruitment and retention of partners; Information sharing and joint working with NewcastleGateshead Initiatives partners on a local, regional and national level; Playing an active part in the company s ongoing development in relation to new marketing initiatives, new procedures and policies; Representing the region professionally and actively raise the profile of NewcastleGateshead s Initiatives at all times; Contributing to a good team spirit and foster an environment of support and cooperation within Central Services and the wider organisation; Undertaking any other duties that may be required in order to ensure the smooth running of Central Services and the wider organisation. Category Essential Desirable Skills, knowledge and aptitudes Aptitude at developing compelling programme experiences around the theme of innovation; Specialist knowledge, expertise Successful delivery of ERDF funded programmes. Experience of procurement processes

5 and understanding of key developments, networks, businesses and technologies across the North relating to innovation, prime capabilities and NELEP Smart Specialisation areas The ability to communicate the ambition of GEOTN to the business sector, politicians and wider stakeholders. Excellent client-facing and internal communication skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. and general compliance issues. Knowledge of existing innovation networks and organisations that deliver support in the region. Contacts with some of the key innovative businesses in the region. Understanding about the drivers of innovative SMEs in the region alongside their business needs. Excellent organisational skills including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills. Effective strategic and creative thinking able to plan and work far ahead with the ability to apply such thinking in innovative and flexible ways. Initiator and collaborator. Good networker with instinctive understanding of the value of partnership working. Qualifications and training Able produce work of a high standard and work to tight deadlines Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Educated to degree level or equivalent demonstrable experience. Experience Experience of developing business and/or innovation focused content to inspire and engage individuals and business communities; Experience of delivering business or innovation showcase events or conferences.

6 Project management experience of mid-large scale projects that exist to support business growth, innovation or skills development (ideally within the region). Comprehensive track record of work history within relevant business sectors (e.g. North prime capabilities, or NELEP Smart Specialisation areas); Experience of developing unique support mechanisms to boost the growth of individual businesses. Disposition Team player at the Executive level and team leader on project delivery. High level interpersonal, communication, networking and representational skills, including effective influencing, partnering and negotiating skills. High level organisational and time management skills, including the capacity to work under pressure The ability to manage and meet partner/client/customer expectations Able to cope with pressure and high expectations. Ability to work flexibly Special requirements Able to work outside of office hours as required

7 NewcastleGateshead Initiative Brand Values Our corporate brand values are a set of core qualities that sum up NewcastleGateshead Initiative: our personality as an organisation and the attitude we adopt in order to deliver our business goals. They encapsulate our company, employees and the way we wish to conduct and project ourselves and be perceived by others. We are: Creative in all that we do as well as in our approach to challenges and opportunities. Positive relentlessly proactive and enthusiastic with a can do attitude. Committed a professional and dedicated team delivering high quality work. Collaborative keen to share, shape and deliver in partnership Enterprising innovative and commercially minded Champions for NewcastleGateshead.