Senior Portfolio Manager Economic Growth (R&D Map)

Senior Portfolio Manager Growth

Salary:46743Per Annum.
Grade:UKRI Band E.
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Hours:Full Time or Part Time. (Minimum0.8FTE)
Location:Polaris House Swindon Wiltshire.


Closing Date: 20/03/2026

About the Role

The R&D Missions Accelerator Programmerepresentsan 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 innew technologies services IP and more.

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

The Government hasidentifiedthe key problems faced by the UK to which the R&D Missions Accelerator Programme has designed Research and Innovation (R&I) 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 stagetheresa significant opportunity toestablishand drive the strategic and operational direction of the programme.

Mission Specific

Economic Growth

The Growth Mission is driving innovation to transform vital sectors of the UK working with industry leaders cultural institutions government and beyond to build digital marketplaces that revolutionise how we construct homes and infrastructure and how creative content is shared and monetised. This means collaborating with Catapults and some of the UKs biggest museums to develop breakthrough technologies business models and regulatory at the forefront of shaping how construction becomes more efficient and sustainable whilst helping the UKs world-leading creative sector unlock new revenue streams in the age of AI. This is your opportunity to drive economic growth support new jobs and position the UK as a global leader in innovation.

Purpose

We are looking to appoint a dynamic driven individualwith an understanding of theinnovationand researchsector and an enthusiasm for the vital role played byR&I to address real world challenges.

You will scope new opportunitiesdrive innovationcommission research and improve impactfrom the challengesresearch. This will be in partnership with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders; collaborative working is therefore crucial. Working with the wider stakeholder community the post holder will ensure that relationships are built andmaintained thus enablingthechallengesto inform national and international agendas and to enablethe R&Ito realise the widest possible economic and social benefits.

You will be a key member of theGrowth Mission team taking ownership for coordinating the work of other team members andrepresentingthe team internally and externally.

Main Outputs and Activities

• You will sit at the interface between strategic leadership and delivery withstrong communicationskills to develop and implement key priorities policies and strategies.
• You will lead the scoping and development commissioning and management ofhigh-qualityinnovation andresearch investments through collaborative partnerships acrossprivate and thirdsectorGovernmentorganisationsacademiaand wider partners.
• You willbe responsible forcoordination and management of a portfolio of activities to maximise impact and knowledge exchange across a portfolio of investments.
• You will build and develop strong relationships working acrossthe R&D MAPUKRI government departments otherfundersandstakeholders to ensure that investments are robustinformedandimpactful.
• You will work with others to ensure investments are appropriately governedmonitored evaluated and their impact communicated.
• You will provide support to and deputise forsenior staffasrequiredand undertake periodic work on areas outside of the team as needed supporting the wider work ofR&D MAP.

This is not a comprehensive list and we may require you to undertake other dutiescommensuratewith the level of responsibility of this post.

Personal Specification

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

Essential

• Degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.(S)
• Significant experienceininnovation orresearch managementcommissioning or related roles within the research and innovation sector.(S&I)
• Proven interpersonal skills including the ability to work collaboratively and to form strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders atdifferent levelsof seniority. (S&I)
• Sophisticated analyticalproblem-solvingand decision-making skills and an ability to think strategically.(S&I)
• Planning and prioritisation skills with experience of independently balancing competing demands and delivering high quality outputs at pace.(S&I)
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral) witha track recordof producing clearconciseandaccuratepresentations and written documentation for a wide range of audiences.(S&I)
• Leadership and engagement skills including an ability to provideclear vision influence negotiate and engage others to ensureobjectivesare met.(S&I)
  

Desirable

• Strong numeracy skills and experience of managing budgets and the exercise of financial control.(S)
• An appreciation of the principles of good governance and knowledge of the governance of research and innovation in the UK.(S)
• A demonstrable understanding of monitoring and evaluation and its uses including awareness of a range of evaluation approaches for meeting specificobjectives.(S)

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.
  

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see:
Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

Please apply online if you experience any issue applying please contact

We do sponsor - Please note if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK as part of your sponsorship application you and any dependants travelling with you will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information please visit or contact