Senior Portfolio Manager - Clean Energy - (R&D MAP)

Senior Portfolio Manager – Clean Energy
Salary: £46,743 Per Annum
Hours: Full Time or Part Time (Minimum 0.8 FTE)
Contract Type: Open Ended
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire
Band: UKRI Band E
Positions Available 1
Closing Date: 20/03/26 About the role The R&D Missions Accelerator Programme represents an 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 in new technologies, services, IP and more. The programme has been designed to solve the key problems facing HMG’s five national Missions and enable delivery of the milestones in the Plan for Change. The Government has identified the 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 stage there’s a significant opportunity to establish and drive the strategic and operational direction of the programme.

Mission Specific Clean Energy

The Clean Energy Mission is the UK’s world-leading response to climate change with its twin focus on Clean Power by 2030 and accelerating to Net Zero. We're tackling two interconnected challenges that will shape the nation's energy independence, push peaking gas plant off the system and drive down energy bills. You’ll be looking at how new business models and approaches can unlock grid flexibility through AI and digital innovation, and developing new low-cost ultralong-duration energy storage solutions. Working with experts in system change such as the Energy Systems and Digital Catapults, market shapers at NESO and Elexon and leading industry players, you'll be investing in real-world solutions and growing UK-based innovators and skills, right at the forefront of building the flexible, resilient power grid that will deliver our clean energy superpower ambitions. We are looking for people who are highly self-motivated and who engage widely to find new solutions and ways of creating impact and bring real benefits to people’s lives and the economy. These roles will be particularly suited to people with a background in energy and climate or a strong interest in the energy transition. Commercial acumen and technical skills in energy, innovation, AI/digital and/or finance are all highly desirable. Comms and media experience is also a definite advantage. Purpose We are looking to appoint a dynamic, driven individual with an understanding of the innovation and research sector, and an enthusiasm for the vital role played by R&I to address real world challenges. You will scope new opportunities, drive innovation, commission research, and improve impact from the challenges’ research. 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 and maintained, thus enabling the challenges to inform national and international agendas, and to enable the R&I to realise the widest possible economic and social benefits. You will be a key member of the Clean Energy Mission team, taking ownership for coordinating the work of other team members and representing the team internally and externally.

Main Outputs and Activities

• You will sit at the interface between strategic leadership and delivery with strong communication skills to develop and implement key priorities, policies, and strategies.
• You will lead the scoping and development, commissioning and management of high-quality innovation and research investments through collaborative partnerships across private and third sector, Government organisations, academia and wider partners.
• You will be responsible for coordination 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 across the R&D MAP, UKRI, government departments, other funders and stakeholders to ensure that investments are robust, informed and impactful.
• You will work with others to ensure investments are appropriately governed, monitored, evaluated and their impact communicated.
• You will provide support to and deputise for senior staff as required and undertake periodic work on areas outside of the team as needed, supporting the wider work of R&D MAP. This is not a comprehensive list, and we may require you to undertake other duties commensurate with 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 experience in innovation or research management, commissioning 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 at different levels of seniority (S&I)
• Sophisticated analytical, problem-solving and 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) with a track record of producing clear, concise and accurate presentations and written documentation for a wide range of audiences (S&I)
• Leadership and engagement skills, including an ability to provide clear vision, influence, negotiate and engage others to ensure objectives are 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 specific objectives. (S)
• Communications and media experience, including working on press releases and speaking to the media (S&I)

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 Recruitment@ukri.org. 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 https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.