We are looking for a highly experienced professional with a strong background in consulting or an equivalent role within a government department or related agency. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of leading and managing projects, overseeing small teams and generating new business.

More specifically, the ideal candidate will have:

Experience: Over 5 years in a consultancy role or comparable position with a demonstrated ability to manage and deliver projects of a value of £50k or more

Academic background: A relevant degree in evaluation, policy, economics or a related field

Sector knowledge: In-depth understanding of current Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policies, programmes, and the funding landscape in the UK

Business development: Strong experience in writing proposals and a proven record of successfully securing new business

Research expertise: A good command of qualitative and / or quantitative research methods and approaches, with the ability to interpret data and synthesise information from a variety of sources

Communication skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, with the ability to produce professional standard reports and presentations

Personal attributes: Highly self-motivated, intellectually curious, and capable of working independently while managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines

Collaboration: Willingness to travel and work within multidisciplinary, international teams

• More than 5 years’ experience in a similar consultancy role
• A relevant academic background in evaluation, policy, economics, or similar
• Knowledge of current STI policies, programmes and funders in the UK
• A track record in managing and delivering research / consultancy projects (of £50k+)
• Experience in writing proposals and a proven ability to win work
• A good command of qualitative and / or quantitative research methods and approaches
• An ability to interpret data, present and synthesise information from a variety of sources
• An ability to write well and to a professional standard, in English
• Excellent oral communication skills
• Self-motivation, intellectual curiosity and an ability to work independently
• An ability to prioritise and multi-task, and work under strict deadlines
• A willingness to travel and work in multi-disciplinary international teams

We are looking for an experienced individual to take a leading role within our UK STI practice.  Our Principal Consultants are central to the long-term sustainability and success of the business, playing a key role in generating sales, managing projects and teams, and ensuring profitability.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Prepare tenders and ensure a good pipeline of work for our growing team
• Design, manage and deliver studies for our clients
• Supervise and work alongside colleagues in the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data
• Lead on the preparation and presentation of study reports
• Ensure individual assignments are delivered to time, budget and of high quality
• Support the development of skills and capabilities within the team

In addition to the dynamism of the business and the intellectual challenge of our project work, we offer a number of benefits to our staff. We offer a competitive salary, a 10% contributory pension, performance-related bonus scheme and several other benefits, including private healthcare, access to an employee assistance programme and a cycle-to-work scheme. We also understand the importance of work life balance and offer flexible working arrangements, with the infrastructure and processes to make a success of many different configurations. We offer 33 days of holidays (including 8 national holidays). Staff also have access to additional days based on years of service.

We support career progression, including through training and development opportunities, as well as mentoring by senior colleagues. Career opportunities are real, with almost the entire senior team being ‘home grown.’ The company also provides opportunities for its more senior staff to become shareholders, subject to Board approval.

Technopolis is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion within policy evaluation and our current team comprises people from varied backgrounds, and at all levels of seniority. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in all arenas, from recruitment through to senior management and our board. We celebrate and value the unique contributions of every individual and welcome candidates from all backgrounds.

Technopolis is also committed to creating social value, both within the assignments we undertake and for our team as a whole. We have a commitment to diversity through our Scholarship Programme for Black British Students at Sussex University and through our links with the university more broadly. We support our staff through access to an employee assistance programme to encourage health and well-being. Through our projects we provide outreach opportunities to schools and colleges as a mechanism of raising awareness of societal challenges and associated policy solutions. Our environmental policies set out general principles for how we work in a sustainable and environmentally positive way.

Technopolis Group is an international research and consulting organisation with a 30+ year track record in policy research and evaluation. We have grown steadily over the past 30 years and are continuing to expand internationally, with over 300 staff working across 12 offices throughout Europe, as well in Africa and Latin America. The UK team currently consists of 40 consultants, spread between offices in London and Brighton. We are a staff-owned company.

Our main business is the conduct of evaluations and other policy studies. We work across a number of areas, ranging from science & innovation to higher education, green economy and health & life sciences, with technical expertise that spans the full extent of quantitative and qualitative social research methods. Assignments typically last from 6 months to several years and are delivered by small teams of 5-10 people. We also collaborate across our offices, as well as with specialist consultancies and academic experts around the world.

Our clients are predominantly public or third sector and include UK Research & Innovation, national Government departments (DSIT, DESNZ, DBT), the European Commission (DG RTD), and other international funders and organisations (IADB, OECD).

For more information: https://www.technopolis-group.com/our-story/

To apply, please upload a copy of your CV on our website, together with a covering letter explaining your interest in the specific job, how your skills and experience meet our requirements and why you believe you would be a good addition to the Technopolis team.

For shortlisted candidates the assessment process will comprise two further steps: a short, informal online interview to discuss your ambitions; followed by a more formal interview, where you will have been asked to prepare in advance an approach to delivering a “typical” Technopolis assignment.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 20^th September 2024.