Innovate UK has the following secondment opportunity available for employees of Innovate UK Business Connect: Applications must be submitted by 10-05-2026 Please note this advert will close on 23.59 on the date prior to Workday close date. Watch our video “Why Join Innovate UK?” here. Director of Semiconductors, Connectivity and Cyber SALARY: £94,931- £117,800 Per Annum HOURS: Full Time CONTRACT TYPE: Open Ended (Permanent) LOCATION: Field Based GRADE: UKRI Band X POSITIONS AVAILABLE: X1 CLOSING DATE: 23:59 on 10 May 2026 PROPOSED INTERVIEW DATE: Early June ABOUT US The Secure and Resilient Growth Directorate leads and manages Innovate UK’s programme for 3 of the UK government’s priority Frontier Technologies: Advanced Connectivity Technologies, Semiconductors and Cyber-security. There are substantial programmes in each of these but also a strategic imperative to create business growth opportunities by building a more integrated ecosystem across all three. The role sits as part of the Digital and Technologies growth sector and there will be opportunities to work closely with activities in Quantum, AI and Engineering Biology in an overarching programme worth around £2bn over the next 4 years. PURPOSE We are looking for an individual with extensive experience, connections, and personal characteristics, to command credibility from a diverse range of stakeholders. The Director will play a key role in shaping the success, strategy, and future objectives within the Security and Resilience portfolio including cyber-security, advanced connectivity technologies, robotics, and semiconductors/electronics. Working collaboratively with and across industry, research, UKRI, and government, bringing business insight, the Director will help to shape and deliver nationally significant programmes of work in partnership with many organisations within the ecosystem. They will also be a key leader for international activities as a UK ambassador. The Director will be a key interface in direct support to the Executive Director, Digital and Technologies, with budget holders in Government Departments for whom we deliver major programmes. This role has a significant focus on budget and people, where the role holder will be accountable for an annual budget of around £150 m, with a team of c.25 MAIN OUTPUTS AND ACTIVITIES Develop Innovate UK’s strategy for growing companies in the secure and resilient growth area in conjunction with, and informed by Domain Senior Leadership and IUK SLT, ensuring connectivity and alignment across UKRI. Increasingly act as the focal for wider security and dual-use capabilities as directed by corporate strategy. Act as the prime Innovate UK focal to DSIT’s critical technology teams in cyber-security, advanced connectivity technologies and semiconductors. and support delivery of government growth objectives for the D&T sector in the Industrial Strategy Act as a key member of the wider security and resilience leadership community - influencing strategic technical direction at national level across industry and within government. Work collaboratively to support the creation and execution of a D&T-level vision and strategy seeking to better align individual technology themes within UKRI and government, where strategically helpful. Lead on building and fostering relationships/interaction with Place, Global, Products & Services, IUK Business Connect and Catapults (including being the prime technical interface with the Compound Semiconductors Catapult), in the pursuit of delivery and programmes and competitions. Provide strategic guidance and leadership in the delivery of a portfolio of strategic ‘investment programmes’ within the Domain, and industry/company support in developing next generation technologies, products, and services in the area of Security and Resilience. Build effective working relationships with the various senior teams and key stakeholders within and outside IUK, ensuring and safeguarding the connectivity to Innovate UK’s strategy. This specifically includes other IUK internal functions/ IUK Business Connect, EPSRC, ESRC and external to UKRI, industry, MoD, government bodies and relevant strategic and industry partners. Deliver IUK programmes in security and resilience to cost, quality and schedule requirements. You will be an industry leader within the context of cyber-security directing the advancement of business-led innovation in this field. Build, lead and develop a team of technical and innovation specialists in an environment where change will be common. Deputise for Executive Director when required. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA (S) – Assessed at shortlisting (I) – Assessed at interview (S&I) – Assessed at shortlisting & interview The role holder will be a recognised industry leader in at least one of cyber-security, advanced connectivity technologies or semiconductors and ideally several of these. (S&I) They will have demonstrated influence as a thought leader across industry and within government. (S) They will have the technical credibility blended with collaboration skills to create and deliver integrated programmes across multiple agencies/bodies including stakeholders of a business and political nature. (I) They will be recognised as influencing strategic technical direction at national level (S&I) They must have a proven track record of managing high-performance teams and complex programmes through periods of change. (I) Educated to degree-level or post graduate level in a relevant scientific / technical subject or equivalent experience (S) They will have the proven ability to work at Board and Executive Level. (S) They will have previously led the development and implementation of strategic plans and change initiatives. (S&I) INCENTIVES UKRI can offer the successful candidate: - Flexible Working - 30 days annual leave Public Holidays - Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme - Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider Visit our dedicated benefits webpage for more info: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) APPLICATION GUIDANCE To view the role in more detail, please contact us at seniorrecruitment@ukri.org to request a copy of the candidate pack. How to evidence the criteria: We encourage you to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in your cover letter to clearly demonstrate how your experience meets each of the ‘person specification’ criteria outlined in the job description. For examples of the STAR method, please visit: The STAR method | National Careers Service’. Please ensure your CV and cover letter are no longer than two A4 pages each, using a minimum font size of 11. Once submitted, your application cannot be edited via our careers website; however, if you encounter any issues or need to update your documents, please contact us at SeniorRecruitment@ukri.org. OTHER INFORMATION If you'd like to have an informal chat about the role before applying, you're welcome to get in touch with us at seniorrecruitment@ukri.org. Travel Requirements: Field-based: There will a requirement to travel, mostly national, and there is some flexibility in this. Innovate UK staff make extensive use of telepresence tools for meetings to minimise unnecessary 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 information. In 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 http://www.ukri.org/. Employee 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 Applications must be submitted by; 10-05-2026