Project Manager (FTC March 2026)

The Job Purpose

This Project Manager role will be based within the Strategic Portfolio Office in our Operations directorate. The purpose of the role is to support delivery of the Strategic Portfolio Office function, specifically providing Change Management support to internal change initiatives, and support delivery of high quality projects on behalf of the organisation.

Strategic Portfolio Office

Doing the right things, in the right order, the right way and with the right team.

Our team’s mission is to empower our colleagues to deliver impactful, positive change, through effective, consistent, and valued project and portfolio management practices. We collaborate across teams to deliver processes, expertise, tools and resources, to enable IUK Business Connect to achieve its strategic goals.

In this role you will proactively manage a diverse range of projects, refine internal processes and influence and collaborate with Innovate UK Business Connect teams. This position will allow you to showcase your skills in change and project management, ensuring initiatives are completed on time, within budget, and meet customer expectations.

Strategic Portfolio Office Objectives

• Our team work closely with colleagues across the business to run an effective annual planning process to develop the company plan, approval and de-commissioning processes in accordance with our strategy.
• Establish, maintain and evolve programme and portfolio management processes to enable an effective, impactful organisation.
• Provide dedicated, professional project managers to selected strategic programmes and priority projects, to ensure high quality, successful delivery of outcomes, reduce risks, use resources efficiently, and maximise impact.
• Provide support, training and best practice in project management to staff, helping teams deliver successful projects.
• Produce insightful reports at portfolio, programme and project level.
• Ensuring the project closure process is in place to improve quality and learn from client feedback.

Roles & Responsibilities

Deliver specific aspects of the Strategic Portfolio Office’s service catalogue, for example:

• Supporting Innovate UK Business Connect to improve its maturity in project management practices and project delivery
• Contributing to the development and refinement of a project and portfolio management toolset
• Roll out and embedding of our new change management framework and resources
• Building change management capabilities across IUK Business Connect by developing and delivering training communications, resources, and programs to support employees to use the change processes and procedures
• Coaching and mentoring colleagues in how to use change management methods and tools
• Building the community of Change Champions at IUK Business Connect, and relationships with IUK and UKRI change teams
• Keep our internal change log updated, prioritise changes based on strategic goals, and establish a structured approval process
• Day-to-day management and execution of selected change initiatives, ensuring that changes are planned are implemented effectively
• Track progress of workstream and metrics capture to determine outcomes, benefits realisation, seeking and sharing case studies
• Assess how organisational changes will affect the company, identify potential problems, plan solutions, and ensure smooth implementation of new initiatives

Project manage specific work packages or tasks for priority Innovate UK Business Connect projects, which may include:

• Planning projects and proactively monitoring progress and risks, resolving issues and initiating appropriate corrective action
• Scoping and development of project proposals and plans for both internal purposes and in regard to IUK Business Connect’s Managed Programmes, including providing advice to colleagues
• Budget, risk, resourcing, reporting and benefit tracking
• Managing communications with all stakeholders
• Tracking progress of projects to determine outcomes resulting from Innovate UK Business Connect interventions, seeking case studies and metrics (KPI) capture

Experience & Skills

Essential experience

• Demonstrable experience in a relevant field.
• Delivering projects or programmes to challenging timeframes in a multi-party environment.
• Delivering Change Management or Project Management Office function(s) within a business environment.
• Influencing and engaging large groups of stakeholders.
• Experience in change management methodologies and tools.
• Experience in creating and using communication strategies to help people adopt changes successfully.
• Financial and budget responsibility for projects and programmes.

Desirable Experience

• Project Management qualification (e.g. APM Change Management Practitioner, APM Project Fundamentals) or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Managing remote project teams.
• Understanding of public funding programmes and/or private finance.
• Proven track record in leading organisational change projects and measuring their success.
• Familiarity with recognised change management methodologies and practical experience applying these frameworks (e.g. Prosci, Kotter).

Skills

• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Team player with collaborative interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Clear communicator who can adapt messages for different audiences, and explain complex ideas simply and persuasively to senior stakeholders.
• Facilitation and presentation skills for delivering change workshops and training programmes.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• High level of IT literacy.

Benefits & how to apply

• Salary £35,926 to £40,000 pa
• 28 days annual leave plus 10.5 bank and public holidays
• Enhanced Pension Plan
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Wider Wallet employee benefits high street discounts scheme
• Opportunities for continuous professional development as part of our Talent & Development Programme

This is a fixed term contract until 27th March 2026.

This advert will close on Thursday 22nd May.

Interviews will be held online w/c 26th May and w/c 2nd June.

Please apply by submitting a tailored cover letter outlining your suitability with specifics relating to the requirements of the role, and your CV outlining your experience.

Applicants must have the existing and ongoing right to work in the UK without restrictions as sponsorship for visas is not provided. Unfortunately, owing to the high number of applications received, we can only provide feedback to applicants selected for interview.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).

Should you wish to discuss this opportunity further, please contact the Recruitment Team by email to: recruitment@iukbc.org.uk.

Innovate UK Business Connect strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where we can all be ourselves. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in the industry: people of colour, LGBTQ+ community, women, disabled people, people of any age or family status. We know that diversity makes us stronger and we strive to create a working environment that is inclusive, and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to removing barriers for individuals with conditions, illnesses or disabilities and we will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process, and in their future role.

If you would like to request any reasonable adjustment, for any part of the recruitment process (including application), please let us know by emailing recruitment@iukbc.org.uk
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About Innovate UK Business Connect

We connect ideas, people, and communities to drive innovation that changes lives.

Innovation is complex. The journey from idea to market is not straightforward and requires a diverse range of know-how, investment, market knowledge and research. Innovate UK Business Connect exists to connect innovators with new partners and new opportunities beyond their existing thinking – accelerating ambitious ideas into real-world solutions.

The future holds both challenges and opportunities. We are passionate about working with innovative businesses to overcome these challenges and shape the opportunities and solutions that follow.

Our vision is to create a network of innovators so powerful its ideas will change the world.

While business is at the heart of our work, our diverse connections span government, funders, research and the third sector. This unrivalled overview and connectivity enable us to be a trusted guide through a complex global landscape of research, development, and innovation.