Executive Officer - Innovation Unit

We have an opportunity for an Executive Officer to join our Innovation Unit for six months.

At The National Lottery Community Fund we believe that innovation is the key to addressing complex challenges and creating transformative change. To support the implementation of our new strategy we launched a dedicated Innovation Unit to become the driving force behind our commitment to Innovation, equity, diversity, and inclusion. This Unit is now nearly 18 months into a 2 year pilot and is delivering significant work on AI, environmental regeneration, crisis support, and equity across health, funding and participation.

This is an excellent opportunity to work in a small, high paced team that harnesses innovation to support change in one of the UK’s most significant funders. We deliver all our work through an equity lens, working for historically underserved communities using the curb cut effect. We are looking for someone to work across everything we deliver, supporting the team with a range of administrative, logistical and other project tasks whilst we embed our existing work in the organisation and look to the future of innovation at the Fund.

The role will provide critical support to the Innovation Unit throughout this transition period, with responsibilities including:

• Assisting in managing the adaptation, development, and implementation of innovation projects and activities.
• Supporting the process of embedding innovation pilots as business as usual across the Fund.
• Providing logistical support for sessions, events and at meetings including minute taking.
• Ensuring effective communication and collaboration within the team and with other departments.

Our ideal candidate will enjoy working in an ever changing and at times unclear environment, organising what can be complex spaces. They’ll be naturally curious, confident to challenge existing approaches, and driven by a passion to make change for historically underserved communities. They can be based anywhere in the UK, with the ability to travel to the occasional meeting or team away day.

Interview Date: June 11^th and 12^th

Location: UK - We have a hybrid approach to working, work pattern and location will be agreed with the successful candidate. The role can be based at any of our UK offices, these are Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Newtown.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role specifically, please contact: [email protected]

Any questions about the recruitment process, please email: [email protected]

On application, please align your supporting statement to the criteria below

Essential criteria

1. Excellent planning and organising skills to deliver various administrative and project focused tasks, including high proficiency in using digital tools and platforms, and an ability to learn new digital systems at speed.
2. Ability to analyse and problem solve, proactively seeking solutions to issues and suggesting improvements.
3. Excellent time management and negotiation skills, and a proven ability to manage a complex workload to meet ever changing circumstances when working in an often unclear environment.
4. A commitment to equity, and championing this in all work.
5. Excellent team working and communication skills to engage with colleagues from all levels across the organisation.
6. Ability to collate information to produce reports and presentations to inform colleagues of specialised work.

Desirable criteria

1. Willingness to challenge, and courage to suggest alternatives to the status quo.
2. A desire for personal development and growth within this role.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.  

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.)