Nesta is a global innovation foundation whose mission is to stimulate and shape new enterprise that will enhance how the world works for everyone. Working in partnership with others, we use our knowledge, networks, funding and skills to find solutions to some of the most difficult challenges we face today. The two high-profile research and innovation projects our successful candidate will be primarily involved in include a EURITO project in collaboration with a large global charitable foundation, plus the aforementioned Horizon 2020 project.
With the political backing of Europe’s leaders and the Members of the European Parliament, Horizon 2020 will serve as the financial instrument implementing the Innovation Union, a Europe 2020 flagship initiative aimed at driving economic growth, creating jobs and securing Europe’s global competitiveness. What’s more, this multi-dimensional role offers excellent scope for you to get involved in future bids and projects.
The position
We are seeking an analytical, collaborative and highly organised Project Manager with proven experience of dealing with EU and global bodies on innovation projects to join our Research, Analysis and Policy Team – Innovation Mapping. So if you are looking for that challenging and career-defining role, groundbreaking UK charity Nesta is looking for a talented individual to work on two ambitious global projects.
Sitting within the expanding Innovation Mapping Team inside Nesta’s Research, Analysis and Policy Team, our Project Manager will provide first-class project management for the lifecycle of the two projects, with regards to all administrative, contractual and financial matters.
Key roles and responsibilities
This fast-paced role requires working with a diverse range of stakeholders and will see you act as the interface between the respective project’s client, steering committees, partner organisations and third parties, as well as the focal point for receiving reports, comments and project funds from clients and partners and for distributing and disseminating these further.
You will collaborate closely with each project’s coordinators, technical leads and research teams to assess the impact of changes to work packages on the general development of these projects, while also overseeing budget expenditure at both project and partner organisation level. Carefully verifying and monitoring all aspects of each project’s contractual documentation, plus generating and submitting amendments to the project’s legal documents, are also key elements of this role.
Experience and skills
To succeed, you must possess a rounded project management track record and expertise, preferably with experience of delivering a H2020 project related to technology and/or research and innovation policy.
You will boast a strong knowledge of financial and administrative requirements and of building and maintaining project management processes, while experience of streamlining complex monitoring and reporting processes is also essential.
You must have an interest or knowledge of open technology would be helpful, as would some science related expertise.
You must be flexible, deadline-driven and highly motivated, you will be an outstanding communicator, both verbal and written, with outstanding analytical, problem-solving and financial skills.