Innovate UK has the following secondment opportunity available for employees of Innovate UK Business Connect:

Applications must be submitted by

Post Award Manager Process & Compliance (Maternity Cover)

The Post Award Manager Process and Compliance ensures that Post Award operational assurance and compliance processes across Innovate UK Operations are robust efficient and consistently applied.

*Please note this advert will close on the 6th March 2026 at 23.59pm.

Watch our video Why Join Innovate UK here.

Title: Post Award Manager Process & Compliance (Maternity Cover)

Band: UKRI Band E (UKRI Ts & Cs)

Salary: 46743 gross per annum

Reports to: Head of Post Award

Location: Swindon (Hybrid Working)

Contract: Fixed Term Until (28/02/2027)

Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a

temporary period of time please refer to the Recruitment Policy for further information in the first

instance. If you are made an offer please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and the designated

HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood prior to

a move taking place.

Innovate UK recognises the importance of work-life balance and we will be happy to discuss any requests for flexible working arrangements.

Job Purpose:

The Post Award Manager Process and Compliance ensures that Post Award operational assurance and compliance processes across Innovate UK Operations are robust efficient and consistently applied.

The role drives the design documentation and improvement of endtoend processes identifies and mitigates compliance risks and safeguards quality across the Post Award lifecycle.

As the champion for continuous improvement the role proactively streamlines processes strengthens assurance reduces risk and enhances the customer and stakeholder experience while working collaboratively across teams to embed clear guidance and strong assurance mechanisms that uphold service quality ensure audit readiness and promote a culture of consistent highquality delivery.

We particularly welcome female applicants as women are under-represented within Innovate UK in this type of role.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Ensure Post Award operational assurance and compliance processes are robust efficient and consistently applied.
• Lead the design documentation and continuous improvement of endtoend Post Award processes.
• Identify and mitigate compliance risks applying sound judgement to resolve complex issues beyond standard policy and procedure.
• Champion transformational change and drive a culture of continuous improvement across the Post Award function.
• Represent Innovate UK with senior stakeholders providing subject matter expertise on Post Award matters.
• Work agilely to respond to evolving business needs and support adoption of improved ways of working.
• Maintain strong relationships and effective communication with stakeholders to ensure customercentric delivery.
• Support audit readiness and uphold high standards of quality assurance and compliance.
• Deputise for the Post Award Lead when required and act as a strong advocate of UKRI and Innovate UK values.

This is not an exhaustive list and you might be encouraged to undertake any other duties across the wider directorate commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post for which the post holder has the key experience and/or training.

Shortlisting criteria

(S) Assessed at shortlisting

(I) Assessed at interview

(S&I) Assessed at both shortlisting and interview

Person Specification:

The post-holder should have operational experience in a fast paced and customer service-oriented environment. They must be passionate about customer service continuous improvement and process and have an engaging and encouraging manner.

Experience & Qualifications:

Essential

• (S) Degree level qualification or equivalent experience
• (I) Experience working in a fastpaced operational environment ideally within a customerfacing or servicedelivery function.
• (I) Strong ability to build effective and trusted working relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• (I)Demonstrated commitment to accountability probity openness diversity and public sector values with a solid understanding of public accountability obligations.
• (I)Experience within funding assurance compliance governance or a related operational discipline.
• (S&I) Experience of process mapping process design and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g. Lean rootcause analysis workflow redesign).
• (I) Understanding of procurement regulations or similar regulatory and governance frameworks.
• (I) Experience contributing to and working towards strategic goals and organisational priorities.
• (I)Strong communication skills with the ability to convey complex information clearly and confidently.

Competencies:

All team members demonstrate compatibility with and capability against our Core Competencies such as:

Thinking and Problem Solving Stakeholder management Communication skills Influencing Self-awareness/self-management Strategic awareness Working with others Project management

Some of the above competencies will be assessed at interview stage in addition to the criterias listed in the person specification.

Travel Requirements:

Swindon-based: There may be the occasional requirement for national travel.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion:

Innovate UK is a diverse workforce of people. We believe that encouraging these differences and drawing the best from them will build a productive environment in which everyone feels valued where talents are fully utilised and in which organisational goals are met. Underpinning this is a belief that it is a fundamental right for everyone to be treated equally with fairness respect and dignity. We will act directly and use our influence to ensure that this right is promoted and upheld; we encourage applications from all those who meet the criteria set-out in our role profiles.

Equal Opportunities:

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to employing any person who meets the criteria for our roles. When undertaking recruitment we may require applicants to undertake certain tests or assessments some of which will be online and others may be in-person. If you have a disability heath condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia then you may be entitled to support with undertaking this type of assessment exercise. Where you feel that reasonable adjustments are required to support you we ask that you advise your recruitment point of contact in a timely fashion providing further confidence Innovate UK will then review your application for adjustments and provide support as required.

UK Research and Innovation:

Innovate UK is partner organisation within UK Research and Innovation. If successful in securing the position your employer will be UK Research and Innovation. More information can be found online Benefits:

We offer a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days annual leave 10.5 public and privilege days flexible working hours an exceptional defined benefit pension scheme and access to a variety of support networks and discount schemes.

Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Flexible Working:

We understand the importance of work-life balance and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants.

Pre-employment Screening:

To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a comprehensive pre-employment check on successful applicants as part of the recruitment process.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health agriculture and food security and bioscience for health which includes research on animals genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research you should consider how this aligns with your personal values or beliefs. To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as a crucial part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check.

Applications must be submitted by;