We are recruiting for two Programme Managers to join Challenge Works
We are now looking for Programme Managers to help deliver our portfolio of work with UK Government departments and Regulators, specifically joining our delivery teams for:
- Ofwat Innovation Fund, a £200m programme to unleash a wave of innovation in the water sector and tackle some of the major challenges of our time ranging from decarbonising wastewater treatment; to detecting and repairing leaks; and restoring seagrass in the UK.
- Smart Data Discovery Challenge, a pioneering programme which seeks innovative ways in which Smart Data could make a difference for consumers, small businesses and wider society, working with the Department for Business & Trade, the Open Data Institute (ODI) and Smart Data Foundry.
The competitions are complex and high profile and this role offers someone the opportunity to work at the forefront of innovation for public benefit in UK government and regulation.
To apply, please submit your application before 8am on the 2 April 2024.
Interviews will take place w/c 8 April 2024.
The Person - knowledge and experience of:
Relevant domain expertise
- A background in government, policy, consulting or regulation
Strong programme and client management
- Scenario planning, managing budgets, staff and suppliers.
- Leading the design and delivery of programmes, with an appreciation for cost and delivery focus.
- Ability to design and manage high profile innovation programmes and to set and achieve ambitious deadlines. Making sure that each stage of the project is progressing on time and on budget and reporting regularly on progress.
- Solid organisational, prioritisation and time management skills with the ability to coordinate and track multiple projects simultaneously.
Effective line management
- Guiding and supporting other members of the team, through effective and regular communication, collaboration and feedback
An enquiring mind, able to apply this to complex issues
- Ability to analyse and forward think, to see opportunities and risks.
- Ability to apply thinking in fields of emerging inclusive technologies and appreciate the implications for social benefit
Diverse partnership building and business development
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders including funders, sector stakeholders, suppliers and judges
- Ability to negotiate with demanding partners and backers to ensure resources and timescales match ambition.
- Ability to recognise and capitalise on business development opportunities as they arise, making connections between stakeholder priorities and past and present work.
Excellent communications skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate with specialist and general interest audiences, including through media.
What we offer
Salary: £46k - £61.5k Location: This role is based in Central London, Blackfriars, hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of two days in the office Term: Two years fixed term contract Hours: 37.5 hours - This is a full-time role but we offer a range of flexible working arrangements and encourage our people to take advantage of them. Many do. Apply now
About Challenge Works
In 2012, Challenge Works (Previously known as Nesta Challenges) was established in partnership between Nesta and the UK Government to become a global centre of expertise in the design and delivery of challenge prizes.
In the decade since, we've worked with international development funders to demonstrate challenge prizes’ potential as a powerful method for stimulating needed innovation for development by mobilising a diversity of innovators and by working closely with affected communities.
Theses challenge prizes have stimulated badly needed innovation in areas ranging from boosting the productivity of smallholder farmers with USAID to tackling plastic pollution with the Government of Canada.
Unlike the traditional funding approach for innovation in development, our challenge prizes provide funding and support to those that make the most progress in achieving outcomes. They are open to all and final prizes are only given to those that deliver impact with a sustainable model.
Over the last decade Challenge Works has designed and delivered more than 80 challenge prizes, has worked with more than 12,000 innovator teams and invested £84m to support the boldest and bravest ideas to become real.
Diversity and inclusion at Challenge Works
We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results.
We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our workplace to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued. A place where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.
This means that when we are recruiting, we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates. It also means that we are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.
We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working. This includes working from home, compressed or part-time hours, job shares and other arrangements.
Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.
To apply, please submit your application before 8am on the 2 April 2024.
Interviews will take place w/c 8 April 2024.
