Portfolio Manager - Capability and Innovation

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Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

Portfolio Manager - Capability and Innovation

Salary: £34,905 per annum
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open-Ended (p ermanent)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire
Grade: UKRI Band D

Closing Date: 14 May 2024
Proposed Interview Dates: W/C 06 June 2024

Role Description

BBSRC is seeking to recruit a Portfolio Manager to join the Capability and Innovation Domain (CID) and support the development and delivery of activities contained within the Business Interaction Unit. The Portfolio Manager role is integral to the development and delivery of BBSRC and UKRI activities set out in BBSRC's Strategic Delivery Plan 2022-25 .

Portfolio Managers in CID play a key role in contributing to, and maintaining, BBSRC's strategic approach to the development and implementation of current and future investments which deliver societal and economic bene fi t for the UK and globally across the range of themes and challenge areas identi fi ed in BBSRC's Forward Look for Bioscience .

These are varied and exciting roles and involve significant interaction across BBSRC and UKRI as well as with external partners and stakeholders such as businesses, research organisations, and policymakers. The portfolio of activity will provide the post-holders with an unrivalled, exciting opportunity to gain experience and insight into cutting edge bioscience research, innovation, policy, and strategy.

Responsibilities of the role

Portfolio Managers within the Business Interaction Unit play a key role in BBSRC's strategic approach to the flexible development and implementation of current and future investments in academic-industry collaborative research and development. The role will involve delivering collaborative bioscience research opportunities that connect academic researchers and businesses across the UK, and across the range of themes and challenge areas.

We are looking for candidates who have a proven aptitude for broad strategic thinking and fl exible working. An awareness of the current UK bioscience research, innovation and skills landscape is desirable, and candidates must have an interest in the biological sciences and its impacts.

You may not have previous experience in these areas but should be motivated to develop your knowledge and capabilities. We welcome interest from applicants with bioscience-relevant industry experience that may extend into biomedical, environmental, physical, social, or economic research, and/or with research user perspectives from industry or policy.

Main Job Activities

The Portfolio Manager role is varied and broad, working flexibly to undertake a wide range of activities to meet key priorities and respond to new opportunities. Example activities include:

• Supporting the development and implementation of BBSRC strategy for research and innovation, maintaining an awareness of key issues and opportunities within your area of responsibility e.g., sector challenges and Government priorities in order to shape future BBSRC strategy.
• Strategically engaging with the research and innovation community, government, and other stakeholders to provide advice on BBSRC strategy, programmes, and policies, as well as representing BBSRC at events.
• Support on the development, delivery and management of collaborative research investments across the breadth of UK bioscience whilst developing internal plans for future strategic investment.
• Monitoring and analysing BBSRC's strategy and portfolio of investments, including generating insights from data, undertaking periodic evaluation of activities, and developing case studies or communications materials on the impact of these investments.
• Supporting Senior Portfolio Managers and senior colleagues across BBSRC and UKRI to enable the Business Interaction Unit to be an agile, high-performing team.

Position and Person Requirements

Shortlisting Criteria (S), Interview Criteria (I) or both (S&I)

Please ensure your application addresses the shortlisting criteria with evidenced examples of prior experience.

Essential:

• A degree in a biological or related subject, and/or equivalent relevant professional experience (S).
• An understanding of the aims and objectives of BBSRC and UKRI. Including how BBSRC supports bioscience commercialisation approaches and an appreciation of the different types of bene fi ts and impact that arise from working with businesses and wider users of bioscience research (S&I).
• An ability to proactively plan and prioritise your work and manage multiple complex activities in order to meet deadlines (S&I).
• An ability to work with ambiguity and deal with difficult situations by showing initiative and judgement in a constantly changing environment (S&I).
• Strong analytical and writing skills, including the ability to interpret, summarise and present complex information for different audiences (S&I).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and maintain constructive relationships (S&I).
• An ability to work flexibly as part of a team on both individual and shared objectives to successfully deliver projects (S&I).
• Willingness to travel in the UK and abroad, including occasional overnight (or longer) absences (I).

Desirable:

• Higher degree in a biological or related subject and/or previous relevant professional experience (S)
• Awareness or experience of research and innovation strategy or policy development (S&I)

Additional Information:

Online applications only for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter to the attachments section (ignore free textbox for cover letter under 'Experience' section) which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'Experience' section of the application process.

About The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

The BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. We are the UK's largest public funder of research of the non-medical biosciences. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.

Funded by Government, we support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. The research and the people that we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

For more information about BBSRC, our science and our impact, see: https://bbsrc.ukri.org/

For more information about BBSRC strategically funded institutes, see https://bbsrc.ukri.org/research/institutes/strategically-funded-institutes/

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI .

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.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce' .

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.