This is the Internal Only Recruitment Site for UK Research and Innovation Staff for roles within Innovate UK (UKRI). Please apply for jobs via this site only if you are employed by UK Research and Innovation (employees with access to Innovate UK's Workday system may apply via the "Careers" application within the system). If you are not a current UKRI employee you can view vacancies at the externally advertised stage at the links given in the "About Us information on the right". If you wish to apply for the position below, please ensure that you comply with the requirements of the recruitment process by submitting both a full CV and application letter. Ideally, you should also advise your manager of your application. Applications must be submitted by 24-10-2025 Head of Professional and Financial Services As Head of Professional and Financial Serivces (PFS), you will take personal accountability for the development and delivery of the PFS programme at Innovate UK, helping to deliver the Government’s vision for the sector. *Please note this advert will close on the 23rd October 2025 at 23.59pm. Watch our video “Why Join Innovate UK?” here. Title: Head of Professional and Financial Services Band: UKRI Band G (UKRI Ts & Cs) Salary: £68,525 gross per annum Reports to: Director, Growth Sector Adoption Location: Field based Contract: Permanent Innovate UK recognises the importance of work-life balance and we will be happy to discuss any requests for flexible working arrangements. Context: This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development and delivery of Innovate UK’s strategy for the adoption of digital technology across key growth sectors leading to UK economic growth. Professional and Business Services and Financial Services are recognised as 2 of the 8 growth sectors (IS-8) withing the Government’s Industrial Strategy. They form a large part of the UK economy (~13%) but are also key to businesses in every other sector as well as day to day for UK citizens. The Government’s Professional and Business Services Sector Plan states that the UK has the ability to lead the world in adoption of AI and other digital technologies and to lead in innovation in the sector. Innovate UK will lead in this and drive the strategy and approach to deliver this vision. We particularly welcome female applicants as women are under-represented within Innovate UK in this type of role. Job Purpose: As Head of Professional and Financial Serivces (PFS), you will take personal accountability for the development and delivery of the PFS programme at Innovate UK, helping to deliver the Government’s vision for the sector. The role holder will be responsible for delivering, with internal partners (teams across finance, operations and communications), funding support from the Department of Business and Trade (DBT), the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and other relevant Government departments. The role is responsible for the initiation, monitoring, forecasting and day to day management of a complex portfolio of technology interventions in support of the adoption of technology across these sectors. Working within Innovate UK’s Growth Sector Adoption Directorate leadership team, you will have the opportunity to work with colleagues across UKRI and a wide range of external stakeholders across business, academia and government. You will also work closely with Business Connect, Business Growth and the Catapult Network. Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: Line management of the Innovate UK PFS team Set objectives for the team, manage their development and direct and enable them to deliver to a high standard Lead the development of Innovate UK/UKRI strategies in PFS Be a strong advocate of the core values of UKRI and Innovate UK, representing the team and organisation at meetings, workshops and conferences Accountable for delivery of programmes’ funding against budgets, ensuring value for money at all times Accountable for ensuring the end-to-end funding process is followed, including evaluating outputs, outcomes and impact Develop and exploit appropriate international links to ensure the programmes maximise the potential of international engagement and global markets. Accountable for overall performance (cost and outcomes) of all projects in line with UKRI objectives and delivery plan Ensuring relevant risk management process and practice is developed and adhered to The post holder will be expected to work closely with the other Heads of Function across the organisation, particularly within Products and Services, Domains and Place teams Work closely with relevant bodies across business, academia, Government, trade associations, standards and regulatory bodies etc. in the sector, to inform and influence programme development and delivery Leverage the resources of the wider Innovate UK family Deputising for the Director, Growth Sector Adoption, as necessary. This is not an exhaustive list and you might be encouraged to undertake any other duties across the wider directorate, commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the key experience and/or training. Shortlisting criteria (S) – Assessed at shortlisting (I) – Assessed at interview (S&I) – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview Person Specification: This position requires a person with strong programme management, leadership and influencing skills, a deep understanding of the Professional and Financial Services sectors and technology adoption, and a passion to see the UK achieve further success in the area. The successful candidate will be capable of leading large programmes with diverse stakeholders and influencing the creation and implementation of organizational improvements. A proven ability to lead, work with and develop a team, and be equally comfortable and confident to work on your own initiative is essential. The role holder will be motivated to achieve goals that enable the success of others (colleagues and UK companies). Our corporate success is realised through the achievements of others, the reflected glory of the success of UK companies. Experience & Qualifications: Essential – Degree or post-graduate qualification in a relevant subject, or substantial equivalent experience.(S) A good knowledge of Professional Business Services and Financial Service and the barriers and needs for innovation withing them. (S&I) Ability to develop strategic plans and approaches, coordinating with other bodies to achieve ambitious goals. (S&I) A good understanding of digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, DLT, cloud and their use within Professional and Financial Services (S&I) Experience of working across different technology areas, with an up-to-date understanding of developments in emerging technology areas (S) Proven leadership and people management skills (S) Proven experience of managing teams within a matrix organization (S) Shaping and leading large, multi-year programmes of work including managing budgets, exercising financial controls and tracking related impacts (S) Good knowledge of the innovation landscape in Government, business and academia (S&I) Experience in creating, leading and maintaining productive relationships between organisations where there is a high degree of ambiguity in the boundaries between them (S) Experience of achieving results through influencing skills rather than direct control (S&I) Ability to absorb, evaluate and communicate complex information in language appropriate to the audience both orally and in writing (S&I) Competencies: All team members demonstrate compatibility with and capability against our Core Competencies such as: Thinking and Problem Solving (I) – Stakeholder management (I) – Communication skills (I) – Influencing (I) – Self-awareness/self-management (I) – Strategic awareness (I) – Working with others (I)– Project management (I) Some of the above competencies will be assessed at interview stage, in addition to the criteria’s listed in the person specification. 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 extreme organisations affiliation check. Applications must be submitted by; 24-10-2025