Bid Manager – Research & Innovation
£40,000 - £50,000 + Bonus Scheme. This is a full-time position.
About Shaw Trust
At Shaw Trust we believe everyone has the right to live a decent and dignified life and an opportunity for rewarding work. We are a social purpose organisation challenging inequality and breaking down barriers to enable social mobility.
Having grown from humble beginnings in 1982 in the village of Shaw in Wiltshire, finding jobs for disabled people, today we are a complex and diverse charity committed to employment as the core pathway to a better life. For us being part of the solution is about creating the conditions for this to happen, advocating and delivering services that make a real difference. Working in partnership not competition, we are part of an eco-system of purpose-led organisations, striving for a fairer, more equal society centred on opportunity for all.
We are seeking an experienced Bid Manager with a passion for innovation to join our team in Leicestershire.
Ixion Innovation helps Europe’s most dynamic and ambitious businesses to grow through innovation. Your role will be to support businesses and researchers to access the funding they need to take cutting-edge innovations closer to market. You will be part of one of the most successful grant funding teams in Europe, working with clients to secure grants and investments between £250k and £10m.
We are looking for enthusiastic, articulate and capable individuals with strong skills in at least two of the three following areas:
- Excellent Bid Management skills: Your main role will be to author high quality grant funding bids that will be entering highly competitive funding calls. You will need to be articulate, concise and compelling; creating content that can hook a reader from the first page to the last. You will need to manage a portfolio of bids, liaising with clients, partners and colleagues to meet strict deadlines.
- A passion for innovation: You should be able to quickly understand different technology areas - our current client portfolio covers topics as diverse as high-speed satellite communications, materials recycling, skills development platforms, novel vehicle powertrains, medical implants and cyber security, to mention just a few. Experience of different technologies and market sectors would be a distinct advantage.
- An understanding of business and industry: As well as a strong technology focus, you must be able to understand, analyse and communicate the client’s business model. If you have experience of aspects of business such as supply chains, market analysis, business plans, IP management and competitor analysis, you could be the person we’re looking for.
You should also have:
- The ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines
- Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal
- An ability to engage with clients at the most senior level.
- Strong organisational skills
- Computer literacy, especially MS Office
- Research skills (e.g. market data, patent searching)
The following skills are desirable, but not essential:
- Understanding of innovation processes
- Understanding of grant funding schemes (full training will be given)
You should have at least a first degree or master’s degree in a science, engineering or business-related field.
You will be part of a small, friendly team of specialists based in Leicestershire, reporting to the Team Leader. Our international team comprises everyone from fresh graduates to experts with 30+ years in industry. Work location is flexible, although some regular presence in the office (circumstances permitting) is preferred. There may be occasional travel in the UK and Europe. Other benefits include 28 days annual leave and holiday purchase scheme, plus a bonus scheme based on team success.
If you think this role is for you then please apply!
Shaw Trust is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment, where every employee, regardless of their background or lived experience, feels that they belong and can progress in their career. We are Disability Confident Leaders, support the guaranteed interview scheme and use of the government’s Access to Work scheme. Living our values we are keen to reflect the diversity of UK society at every level within our organisation. We welcome applications from all sections of the community including from people with lived experience and/or knowledge of disability or social exclusion. If you have accessibility requirements and would like information in a different format, email: jade.lee@shaw-trust.org.uk to make alternative arrangements.
Shaw Trust reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.