Programme Manager

We are recruiting for Programme Manager(s) – Challenge Works

About Challenge Works

Challenge Works is a global leader in the design and delivery of open innovation challenges that mobilise diverse, innovative thinkers to solve pressing problems and unlock change.

We work with foundations, governments, international NGOs and corporations to increase societal impact, improve outcomes for local and global communities, and catalyse policy change. Founded by Nesta, the UK’s innovation foundation for social good, our challenge prizes address wide-ranging issues such as climate change, employment access, inequality, global health and financial resilience.

See www.challenges.org to learn more about our work.

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.

The role
The successful candidate(s) will be passionate about innovation, have experience delivering complex multi-stakeholder programmes with ambitious clients, and bring a creative mindset to delivering impact through harnessing the power of entrepreneurship, data and technology.

Experience and an interest in innovation in sectors such as water or energy are desirable though not essential.

They will bring experience working with diverse and complex groups of stakeholders to drive the profile, reach and impact of programmes.

Programme Management:

• Responsible for planning and implementing a complex multi-stakeholder initiative, from design to launch and beyond, including the development, maintenance and revision (as necessary) of systems that will underpin the delivery of the programme.
• Responsible for the monitoring of milestones, evaluation and finance to keep track of project budgets and deadlines.
• Responsible for managing the day-to-day delivery of multiple programmes by working with a broad range of partners, contractors, prize entrants and other stakeholders, including senior corporate, technology, thematic experts and media, to co-design, set up, and run prize(s) addressing key societal and environmental issues.
• Responsible for developing key documents and materials relating to the delivery of the programmes.

Stakeholder Management:

• Working with potential partners and clients to identify the focus of prize programmes, supporting their design by conducting research with stakeholders and experts where necessary,
• Selecting and appointing expert advisors and panellists for prizes, in some cases in partnership with clients.
• Managing the assessment and judging process for entries to the prize

Communications & Events:

• Developing compelling communications and marketing campaigns and strong impact evaluation strategies that demonstrate societal outcomes.
• Managing landmark events such as: a launch event, mentoring academy and awards ceremony. Producing agenda and content, working with partners to coordinate stakeholder relations and deliver the communications plan and working with Nesta’s Events team to coordinate logistics.

Business Development:

• Leading consultancy work for clients interested in challenge-driven innovation, including designing and co-convening workshops and writing reports and practice guides on innovation methods and prize design and delivery.
• Playing a key role in business development activity and contributing to strategy within the organisation.
• Developing relationships with relevant government agencies and charitable foundations in order to raise funding for new prizes and existing prize ideas.
• Working with the team leads and team members, clients, partners, Nesta teams and experts to analyse and identify fields and emerging areas where challenge prize programmes could more rapidly advance innovation for societal benefit.

Teamwork:

• Effective line management of several of the Challenge Works junior staff.
• Work with diverse Nesta departments including financial, legal and communications. Occasional international travel and out of hours work.

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 (offers are expected to be made towards the bottom of the band, depending on experience) plus array of benefits, including private medical insurance, dental insurance, the ability to buy and sell annual leave, eyecare vouchers and more

Location: This role is based in London, Blackfriars, hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of two days in the office

Term: 2 Years, Fixed Term Contract

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.

Making an application

To apply for this role, please submit your application before 08.00am on Tuesday 2nd April 2024.

Interviews will take place w/c 8th of April 2024.

At Nesta, 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, and 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, including 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.