Interim Head of Economics and Insight – Maternity Cover

Innovate UK KTN

. Lead the Economics & Insights function within the Strategy Directorate .

Posted 9/24/2026full-timeSwindon • United KingdomLead💰 £70,752 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates strong analytical leadership and strategic insight within the innovation ecosystem, effectively influencing decision-making and shaping organizational strategy through evidence-based approaches. Capable of leading multidisciplinary teams and fostering relationships with stakeholders to drive economic growth and innovation policy.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Innovation Ecosystem ExpertiseAnalytical LeadershipStrategic Decision-MakingStakeholder ManagementResearch Programme Oversight

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Economic DevelopmentAnalytical MethodsResearch CommissioningEvidence-Based AnalysisPolicy Analysis

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsWritten CommunicationVerbal CommunicationInfluencing SkillsProblem Solving

Tools & Technologies

AI-Enabled Analytical Tools

Industry Keywords

Innovation Support MechanismsBusiness GrowthIndustrial StrategyPublic Sector ExperienceUKRI Collaboration

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the Economics & Insights function within the Strategy Directorate
Provide evidence, analysis and thought leadership for strategic decision-making across Innovate UK
Lead analysts and researchers and develop analytical capability
Shape understanding of the innovation ecosystem, including startups, scaleups, investors and the wider business environment
Identify and commission research on innovation support, business growth, impact and policy
Lead strategic and cross-cutting analytical projects
Synthesise and communicate evidence and insight to senior leaders
Contribute analytical leadership to strategic initiatives, frameworks, assessment approaches and programme design
Embed evidence-led decision-making across Strategy and Delivery teams
Lead thought leadership outputs, publications and insight products
Monitor emerging trends in innovation, business growth, technology and international practice
Build relationships with government departments, UKRI colleagues, academics and external stakeholders
Contribute to wider innovation policy discussions and develop a shared intelligence picture across UKRI
Represent Innovate UK externally on innovation and economic growth
Lead, inspire and develop a multidisciplinary team of researchers and analysts
Support new approaches to strategic insight, including AI-enabled analytical tools and methods
Undertake other duties across the wider directorate commensurate with the role

Requirements

What you’ll need

Excellent understanding of the innovation ecosystem, including startups, scaleups, investors and innovation support mechanisms
Strong understanding of innovation, business growth, industrial strategy, economic development or related policy areas
Sound understanding of IUK, its new strategic direction, and the evidence needs required over the coming year
Significant experience within economics, analytical, research or insight functions in government, the public sector, academia, consultancy or a related environment
Experience using evidence and analysis to influence senior decision-makers and shape organisational strategy
Experience commissioning, overseeing and assuring complex analytical or research programmes
Excellent interpersonal skills to lead a team through organisational change
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distil complex analysis into clear and compelling messages
Core competencies including thinking and problem solving, stakeholder management, communication, influencing, self-awareness/self-management, strategic awareness, working with others and project management
Willingness and ability to travel, mostly nationally
Ability to work in the Swindon office once a week
Appropriate level of security screening/vetting
Successful completion of comprehensive pre-employment checks
Sponsorship may be required for candidates needing permission to work in the UK

Benefits

Comp & perks

30 days’ annual leave
10.5 public and privilege days
Flexible working hours
Exceptional defined benefit pension scheme
Access to a variety of support networks and discount schemes
Flexible working arrangements
Telepresence tools to minimise unnecessary travel
Support with reasonable adjustments for assessments
UKRI may reimburse some or all eligible visa application fees after employment begins