Director, Communications & Innovation Networks

Application Pack

CONTENTS Page No: 1. About the Technology Strategy Board 1 2. Innovation Networks 2 3. Communications 3 4. Role Specification 4 5. Remuneration/Terms and Conditions 6 6. Advert 7 7. Timetable 8 8. How to Apply 8

1. About the Technology Strategy Board

The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) is an executive non-departmental public body, established by the Government in 2007 and sponsored by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS). The activities of the Technology Strategy Board are jointly supported and funded by BIS, other government departments, the devolved administrations and research councils. The TSB is the UK’s innovation agency, and its aim is simple- to accelerate economic growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation. To achieve this aim, the TSB offer support and funding to help business develop new products and services, and bring them closer to market. They work with business, research and policymakers, and bring people together to share ideas, tackle challenges and make new technological advances. They also invest in commercialising new ideas with business, and target technologies and areas with the greatest scope to improve business, the economy and society. Working with small to medium sized enterprises across the whole of the UK to encourage and support innovation is an important aspect of the TSB’s work, and at the same time, many of the UK’s largest companies are also heavily involved in innovation projects supported by the Technology Strategy Board. They work to build strong and effective relationships across Government, working together to accelerate innovation, and in addition, UK research from Universities and business collaboration is playing an important role in stimulating innovation and growth. Innovation contributes to higher productivity and economic growth, and is core to the UK’s competitiveness. However, many factors hamper innovation. Companies can struggle to find finance for early-stage development, the returns can be hard to predict, and the innovation ‘landscape’ can be complex and confusing the Technology Strategy Board tackles these barriers and supports business-led innovation. It works across business, academia and government, supporting innovative projects, reducing risk, creating partnerships and promoting collaboration, knowledge exchange and open innovation. The TSB’s strategy for 2011-2015 focuses on five areas:

1. Accelerating the journey between concept and commercialisation 2. Connecting the innovation landscape 3. Turning government action into business opportunity 4. Investing in priority areas based on potential 5. Continuously improving their capability

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2. Innovation Networks

The Technology Strategy Board works across government, business and the research community, to remove barriers, bring organisations together to focus on opportunities, and invest in the development of new technology-based products and services for future markets. It encourages innovation by bringing people together through networking, partnerships and new forms of collaboration, which include the Catapult centres, Knowledge Transfer Networks and Partnerships, Innovate UK, themed missions and funding competitions.

The Catapults are a network of world-leading technology and innovation centres, which aim to transform the UK’s capability for innovation in seven specific areas and help drive future economic growth. These areas are; High Value Manufacturing, Offshore Renewable Energy, Cell Therapy, Connected Digital Economy, Satellite Applications, Transport Systems and Future Cities. The Catapults are a driving force for innovation, and are one of the ways in which the TSB supports innovation by UK business. In terms of bringing people together to stimulate innovation, Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs) facilitate the UK’s innovation communities to connect, collaborate and find out about new opportunities in key research and technology sectors. They are critical to enable UK businesses to compete successfully at the forefront of technology and innovation. _connect, an online networking platform is at the heart of the KTN community, and is where ‘open innovation’ happens. It allows innovators to use free, online tools in a secure setting to explore some of the challenges and issues they face together. In addition, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) enable UK businesses to improve competitiveness, productivity and performance. However they do this by offering businesses the opportunity to work in partnership with an academic institution, in order to obtain knowledge and expertise to which they currently have no access, to address their business challenges and embed sustainable innovation. The TSB also holds funding competitions, and supports special events known as entrepreneur ‘missions’. These missions are run in partnership with UKTI, in which the pick of innovative and early-stage UK companies travel to countries strong in innovation and enterprise, such as the US, to make new connections and meet potential investors, suppliers and customers. Furthermore, each year the TSB hosts and organizes Innovate UK, the leading multi-sector, networking, conference and exhibition event for business. It is designed to enable business people to meet others from business, government and academia to make innovation happen, creating opportunity and growth for the future. Innovate UK has been described as a must-attend event to businesses which need to network, build opportunities and learn of the latest initiatives to support innovation.

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Managing these networks and partnerships requires an extremely strong communications strategy in order to manage the wide range of stakeholders involved, to provide management to the internal leadership team and to ensure the TSB brand is promoted, and its reputation upheld.

3. Communications

The Technology Strategy Board is entering a new phase. A detailed organisation design has been undertaken by the new Chairman and Chief Executive, to position the TSB to expand as an organisation and take on a wider role as the UK’s Innovation Agency, including a higher level of engagement at the sub-national level (e.g. with LEPs and Core Cities), and international level (within the EU, with emerging powers, and with countries such as the US). As part of this growth, the TSB is looking to extend its international reach and communications channels. This is a complex role, and will include a high level of engagement at the sub-national and international level in a challenging economic context. We are looking to make a world class appointment that will deliver value and overcome any challenges. This is a key position within the next generation team, it reports directly into the CEO and sits alongside a number of Director positions, including the Director of Innovation Programmes, the Director of Business Planning, the Director of the Catapult Programmes, and the Director of Finance & Operations. Communications is a key part of the TSB’s tool set, and this role revolves around how to use communications in the broader sense in order to achieve their organisational objective- to bring technology and innovation to market more quickly for UK business. It is about using the power of communications as a key part of their mission. This is a very senior position which assumes all responsibility for communications, brand management and reputation management, two key aspects of the role. This remit will provide internal leadership to; corporate collateral that includes the delivery plan, editorials and website; events that provide outreach/competitions/PR and marketing; as well as a strengthening of media relationships. We are looking for a professional who brings expert skills in communications in the widest sense. The candidate will come from a high-level communications background, one that understands the commercial value of networks in stimulating business opportunities. S/he will demonstrate a good cultural ‘fit’ with the existing team, and will possess world-class influencing skills and a sophisticated interpersonal style. The candidate will be market responsive, entrepreneurial and highly strategic, publicly and commercially oriented. The successful candidate will have a strong grasp of working in different industries and technical landscapes to deliver translational research as well as complex stakeholder management ability that includes the public-private interface. The Director will be building on a legacy

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and will demonstrate the sophistication required to leverage off existing assets/ relationships as well as build on these strengths. Sensitivity to the TSB legacy, brand messaging and positioning across the breadth of activities that the TSB engages will be vital. 4. Role Specification Title: Director of Communications and Innovation Networks Business unit: Executive Team Reporting to: CEO Location: Swindon Salary band: Band 1 (up to £140k plus benefits) Principal Tasks and Accountabilities

Accountability for the development of TSB’s overall external engagement strategy- assuming responsibility for outreach and stakeholder engagement, and elements of the broader communication strategy.

Significant representational responsibilities on behalf of the TSB with business, universities, Government departments and other public bodies and international stakeholders.

Oversight of TSB branding and communications strategies and activities, ensuring that the profile of the TSB and the programmes it delivers is increased, and positioned in a consistent and positive way.

Managing the direction of Knowledge Transfer Networks and ensuring they are an effective and integrated part of the Innovation agenda- including the establishment of Special Interest Groups as required (eg Space, Design, Robotics, Synthetic Biology).

Increase TSB outreach and engagement activities into sectors where it has a relatively low profile (e.g. technology based SMEs in some sectors, financial services).

Leading the strategy and supporting the development of the TSB’s _connect platform as a mechanism for facilitating innovation collaborations between

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companies and universities, in order to maximise its effectiveness in promoting knowledge exchange.

Key Relationships

Executive Team and all internal colleagues

External stakeholders including the KTN and Catapults Network

Senior departmental (BIS) communications officers PERSON SPECIFICATION Knowledge and Experience The essential requirements are:

Senior leadership capabilities and rack record in a relevant environment

High level managerial skills

Senior level strategic and operational delivery of communications in a

commercial environment

Experience and thorough appreciation of the value and leverage of networks

Well-developed business acumen and credibility

Excellent appreciation of the TSB’s role

The ability to operate strategically and operationally within a complex and fast-

moving environment

Track record of translating strategic objectives into operational plans

The desirable requirements are:

Technical expertise and background in the commercialisation of technology

Experience of building new teams

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TSB Director Competency Profile

Leadership

Conceptual Strategic thinking and planning

Focus on outcomes

Managing people/Developing talent

Managing resources innovatively

Personal effectiveness

In addition:

Thinking/Problem solving

Planning & Organising

Working with others

Self-awareness/Management

Communication

5. Remuneration/ Terms & Conditions

Terms of Appointment Start Date: Salary: Band 1 (up to £140k plus benefits) Hours of work: Full time Location: Swindon

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6. Advert

Director of Communications and Innovation Networks (Six figure package)

Based Swindon

The Technology Strategy Board is here to boost business innovation in the UK and thereby drive

economic growth. We have just announced a £440m plan for 2013-14 (our biggest ever) to turn

companies’ business ideas into commercial reality.

Funded by Government, backed by business, partnered with global research houses, and run by

some of the sharpest entrepreneurial talent in the UK we are the ‘go to’ organisation for those

businesses with the potential to innovate and grow.

We help some of the most innovative firms in the world develop commercial products and

services. We work especially in hi-tech sectors like renewable energy, future cities, advanced

materials, satellites, digital technologies and healthcare. Over 60% of our funding goes to small

and medium-sized enterprises, helping them thrive, generate jobs, and grow the economy.

We’re now looking for a Director of Communications and Innovation Networks for this exciting

organisation. Someone who will position us well on the domestic and global stage and ensure

that what we do, and how to use us, is understood well by media and stakeholders - and of

course by business.

This is a unique opportunity to work with market leaders and game changers in global markets

to support UK economic growth, and to help us develop our networks in a way that maximises

connections and exchanges ideas.

We’re after an adventurous and entrepreneurial Communications professional, with experience

of classic PR, public affairs, media relations and marketing. You will also understand the value of

networks in stimulating business engagement and breaking through barriers that inhibit

collaboration.

A supreme team player, you will have an excellent track record as a leader in both the

communications profession and of people, and demonstrate excellent commercial and political

judgement.

Having worked in a variety of commercial environments, you’ll have sophisticated influencing

skills and proven ability to identify drivers that enable delivery of commercial outcomes. Most of

all, you will be able to command the respect of influential business leaders, politicians and civil

servants, academics and entrepreneurs.

For an informal and confidential discussion, please contact Baljit Dhadda on +44 (0)20 3137

3452 or visit www.rockpools.com to review the specific requirements.

Closing date: Monday 24th June

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7. Timetable Indicative timetable (which may be subject to alteration) is as follows: Closing date- Monday 24th June Longlist interviews- w/c 1st July Final panel interviews- Wednesday 24th July 8. How to Apply To submit an application, go to www.rockpools.co.uk/opportunities For an information pack and an informal and confidential conversation, call our advising consultant:

Baljit Dhadda on 020 3137 3452 / 07939 074 973 You will be required to submit a CV and brief supporting statement that provides evidence of the competencies outlined in the Person Specification. You will also be asked to complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. Reasonable expenses for unavoidable travel expenses in connection with attending interviews will be reimbursed. Diversity Policy The Technology Strategy Board is committed to providing equal opportunities for all, irrespective of race, age, disability, gender, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, transgender and working patterns. This appointment will be conducted in line with principles of merit, fairness and openness.

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