Innovate Cambridge is recruiting for an Executive Director

Executive Director

Ready to be a catalyst for innovation in Cambridge? This isn’t just a job; it’s a chance to be an agent for transformative change. Your leadership will help shape the destiny of Cambridge’s innovation landscape and make sure it delivers for itself, for local people and for the rest of the country.

As the Executive Director of Innovate Cambridge, your role will be to chaperone the strategy and bringing to life the initiatives to support the ecosystem to be the best place in the world to make ground-breaking discoveries and translate them into world-changing business.

Why Innovate Cambridge?

Innovate Cambridge is an initiative fuelled by the collective ambition of over 200 organisations, including the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Innovation Capital, AstraZeneca, Microsoft, ARM, Darktrace, and local government. Our mission is to solidify Cambridge’s position as the leading innovation ecosystem in Europe, fostering an environment where groundbreaking discoveries are seamlessly transformed into world-changing businesses.

Cambridge Enterprise and Cambridge Innovation Capital are supporting Innovate Cambridge as we build a team to serve the Cambridge innovation community.

Why you will love this role

As Executive Director, you will be the custodian of Innovate Cambridge’s innovation strategy, ensuring its successful implementation for the benefit of the region, its people, and the nation as a whole. You’ll have responsibility for:

Building a team:

You will get to build a small, but mighty team (we anticipate 2-3 people) to help you execute the vision of Innovate Cambridge.

Leading stakeholder engagement:

• Laser-like focus on innovation collaborating with all elements of the ecosystem.
• Generating and maintaining momentum on the Innovate Cambridge initiatives and ensuring on-going relevance to stakeholders.
• Briefing key stakeholders on progress, actions and requests e.g. large corporate, national government, local government.
• Build Relationships: Interface with local, regional, and national governments, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Champion Innovation: Laser-focus on innovation, collaborating with all stakeholders to drive the ecosystem forward.
• Nurture Talent: Cultivate a diverse and inclusive innovation ecosystem, attracting and retaining top talent.

Drive growth and foster impact:

• Drive Growth: Catalyse activities to deliver initiatives across Innovate Cambridge’s strategic pillars.
• Measure Impact: Establish and implement a theory of change, holding the ecosystem accountable to its shared vision.
• Manage Finances: Oversee Innovate Cambridge’s funding, budget, and governance, ensuring financial sustainability.

Running a project management process across the 3 pillars of the Innovate Cambridge strategy:

• An innovation ecosystem firing on all cylinders
• Ensuring that the innovation ecosystem provides value and impact for the local community and increasing awareness of these benefits
• Forming partnerships with other regions and collaborators to drive scale and deliver social and economic benefits

What we’re looking for:

• Proven Leadership: Experience in leading and managing change in the life sciences, deep tech, or innovation industry.
• Collaborative Spirit: Matrix management skills and a knack for fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
• Lead with Integrity: Exemplify high integrity and an ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strategic Acumen: The ability to think strategically, articulate a clear vision, and drive results in a dynamic environment.
• Communication Prowess: Exceptional communication, interpersonal, negotiating, and influencing skills.
• Passion for Innovation: An entrepreneurial spirit and a deep understanding of the innovation ecosystem.
• Commitment to Community: A genuine desire to serve Cambridge and its community.

Our benefits:

You will work with your board to design a benefits package for you and future staff.

Join us in shaping the future of innovation

If you possess the vision, leadership, and passion to propel Cambridge’s innovation ecosystem to new heights, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact. Together, we can ensure Cambridge remains a global epicentre of ground-breaking discoveries and transformative businesses.

Apply now by emailing your CV and cover letter to: people@enterprise.cam.ac.uk

For more information on Innovate Cambridge and our vision please click here

Applications close: 18th December
1st round interviews via Zoom: 8th-11th January
2nd round interviews in central Cambridge: 17th-19th January