Senior Lead, Government Innovation and Economic Growth

About This Opportunity

We are representing a confidential innovation consultancy operating at the intersection of government, industry and emerging technology. Our client is seeking a Senior Lead for Government Innovation and Economic Growth to shape and deliver substantial growth across UK public sector markets. This is a nationally focused, commercially driven role based in Manchester, responsible for identifying, shaping and securing high-value opportunities across central government, public sector organisations and strategic partners.

As government investment and decision-making become increasingly distributed beyond Whitehall, you will help position our client at the forefront of the UK's evolving government and innovation landscape. This role combines strong commercial leadership with deep government insight, translating policy trends and funding priorities into strategic opportunities, partnerships and sustainable revenue growth.

Responsibilities

Government Growth & Opportunity Leadership

• Identify, prioritise and lead pursuit of high-value opportunities across UK government departments, agencies and public sector organisations
• Build and maintain senior relationships across government and arm's-length bodies
• Shape early-stage opportunities by aligning customer priorities, policy developments and commercial propositions
• Lead complex multi-stakeholder pursuits from early engagement through contract award
• Navigate government procurement environments to maximise success rates
• Develop understanding of government priorities, funding mechanisms and investment strategies

Market Intelligence & Strategic Positioning

• Develop deep insight into emerging government priorities including economic growth, innovation adoption, AI, cyber resilience and public sector reform
• Translate policy and market insight into actionable growth opportunities
• Identify emerging funding streams and policy-driven opportunities
• Position the organisation as a trusted partner for government transformation initiatives

Cross-Government Go-To-Market Leadership

• Shape and co-own cross-government go-to-market strategy
• Support development of propositions responding to changing government needs
• Build repeatable approaches to opportunity identification and pursuit
• Create scalable propositions applicable across multiple government customers

Strategic Relationship Management

• Act as senior external representative across government, industry and innovation ecosystem engagements
• Build trusted relationships with senior government leaders, policy makers and commercial stakeholders
• Establish credibility within conversations around innovation, technology adoption and economic growth
• Represent the organisation at senior meetings, industry forums and government-facing events

Partnerships & Growth Enablement

• Develop strategic relationships with consultancies, technology providers, universities and delivery organisations
• Build and shape consortium opportunities
• Support priority bids, negotiations and commercial pursuits
• Mentor colleagues across commercial and delivery teams

What We're Looking For

Essential Experience:

• Proven track record selling into UK government and winning complex public sector opportunities
• Demonstrable success securing contracts valued at £1m+ and/or multi-year engagements
• Strong understanding of government procurement, commercial processes and public sector buying environments
• Experience building relationships with senior government stakeholders
• Strong commercial acumen including opportunity shaping, negotiation and deal strategy
• Experience developing and executing go-to-market strategies in complex environments
• Experience with consortium bids and strategic partnership opportunities
• Strong understanding of relationships between government policy, funding priorities and commercial opportunity

Highly Desirable:

• Experience across multiple government departments or policy domains
• Understanding of economic growth, devolution, place-based investment and public sector reform
• Experience within innovation, technology, consulting, digital transformation, cyber or AI-related environments
• Experience identifying opportunities arising from policy change and government reform
• Existing network across UK government and innovation ecosystems
• Experience in high-growth or scaling organisations
• Familiarity with government priorities relating to AI adoption, cyber resilience and productivity

Skills and Attributes:

• Commercially driven, outcome-focused and highly proactive
• Naturally curious about government priorities and policy developments
• Highly credible operating at senior levels across government and industry
• Strong relationship builder with ability to influence diverse stakeholder groups
• Strategic thinker capable of translating insight into action
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and shaping undefined opportunities
• Collaborative and committed to enabling success of others
• Resilient and adaptable in fast-moving environments

Requirements:

• Willingness to undertake regular national travel (over 40%) and occasional international travel
• UK national who holds or is eligible for Security Check (SC) clearance
• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience
• Relevant commercial, consulting or public sector credentials advantageous

How We Work With You

When you apply through Get A Job.ai, our recruitment team will screen your application and arrange an initial conversation to understand your experience and career goals. If there's a strong match, we will submit your profile to our client for consideration. Throughout the process, we act as your advocate and guide.

Please apply exclusively through Get A Job.ai. Do not contact the client directly, as we manage all candidate introductions and communications on their behalf.

Pay

Pay via Get A Job.ai: £80,000 - £100,000 depending on skills and experience. The client also offers an annual bonus scheme, generous pension (up to 10% company contribution), private healthcare, life assurance, critical illness cover, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, and a volunteering day.

Get A Job.ai is an equal opportunities employer. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process.