EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential –

• Degree level in relevant science, engineering, or related technical field (or equivalent experience) (S)
• First-hand industry experience relevant to commercial vehicle (including HGV) deployment, development of zero emission vehicle technologies including the associated supply chain, or closely related topics such as technical leadership of fleet or transport sustainability initiatives (S&I)
• Strong technical understanding of technology roadmaps and trends relevant to this sector (S&I)
• Knowledge of business models associated with zero emission vehicles and HGVs, including relevant challenges and opportunities to their widespread uptake in the UK (S&I)
• Experience or knowledge of business-led innovation projects and the UK’s innovation and collaborative research ecosystem (S)
• Ability to strategically assess business and innovation gaps and opportunities – both at the domestic and international level (S&I)
• Excellent stakeholder management experience, including building links while working with senior-level individuals to manage conflicting demands and priorities (S&I)
• Excellent communication and presentation experience conveying critical messages on complicated topics to a range of audiences in a clear and simple manner (I)

Desirable –

• Programme management experience (S)
• Knowledge of UK government and other stakeholder policies relevant to the role, such as policy on the deployment of EV vehicles and infrastructure (S&I)
• Track record of running large innovation projects related to the automotive sector, or a similar field (S&I)
• Relevant postgraduate and/or professional qualifications (S)

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

JOB PURPOSE:

As Innovation Lead for Zero Emission Vehicles, you will develop and evolve Innovate UK’s activities around Zero Emission Vehicles and our wider partnership with government, academia, industry and across UKRI. You will work as a technical authority and thought leader in this area, providing input and direction to existing programmes, and developing new initiatives. This will include a significant focus on decarbonizing Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), through technical leadership and programme management of the up to £200m Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme funded by the Department for Transport (DfT).
You will also maintain Innovate UK’s strategically crucial position in the transport funding ecosystem while developing its role in crafting the future of UK mobility and transition to Net Zero, for example by providing thought leadership through our UK Transport Vision 2050, or by bringing an international angle to our activities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

As Innovation Lead for Zero Emission Vehicles, the post-holder will deliver across a number of key areas, these include but are not limited to:

• Being Innovate UK’s principal ‘thought leader’ and subject matter expert related to zero emission vehicle technologies and opportunities, including for Heavy Goods Vehicles and Non-Road Mobile Machinery, working closely with others in complementary areas
• Leading innovation within zero emission vehicle programmes including the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme and supporting forthcoming Industrial Strategy activity with Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) and others
• Acting as a decarbonisation champion, working with others to develop business cases to secure new funding for zero emission vehicle technologies, securing organisational buy-in and subsidy approval such that you can deliver targeted and impactful interventions to the sector
• Building strategic relationships internally and externally with relevant organisations supporting their objectives, including with the Department for Transport (DfT), Department for Business & Trade (DBT), Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), academia, industry bodies (e.g. Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Road Haulage Association, Logistics UK, Energy Networks Association), standards and regulatory bodies
• Developing international opportunities with countries and regions, which complement UK aspirations in the zero emission vehicle space
• Representing Innovate UK at leading industry events: disseminating our and our partners’ work to support the sector, raising awareness of innovation opportunities and inspiring the innovation community.
• Using the resources and capability of the wider UKRI and Innovate UK family (Innovate UK Business Connect, Innovate UK Business Growth, Catapults Centres etc.) to increase your effectiveness.
• Contributing to the wider implementation of Innovate UK strategy; supporting colleagues in the implementation of their programmes and ensuring implementation of Innovate UK’s and UKRI overall mission to boost UK innovation and deliver economic and societal impact.