Chief Innovation Officer

Job Title: Chief Innovation Officer (Job title is flexible ) Location: Nottingham Remuneration: Competitive salary equity options bonus Start Date: Immediate Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time Visa Sponsorship: Available for the right candidate About Us Concrete4Change (C4C) is a pioneering R&D company developing breakthrough technology to capture and permanently mineralise CO in concrete. Our patented additive reduces emissions while improving strength and durability, offering a scalable solution for one of the worlds most polluting industries. Having recently scaled up our production process 10x, were constructing a pilot plant in Nottingham that will run on real flue gas. Data from this system will directly inform the design of a commercial demonstrator 100x larger. C4C is backed by major industrial players (SCG, Goldbeck), partners with leading universities, and works with top European concrete manufacturers. This is a pivotal moment to join C4C as we raise 10M and scale from lab to industry. Learn more: C4C Tech Overview: A Day in the Lab: Employee Perspective: Founders Story: The Role C4C is seeking a hands-on, visionary Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) to lead our innovation strategy, scientific direction, and public funding strategy. This is a high-impact leadership role ideal for an experienced chemist, material scientist, chemical engineer or deep-tech R&D leader with a proven track record in grant acquisition, technical team management, and industrial scale-up. You will manage and mentor a multidisciplinary innovation team, ensuring technical excellence and alignment with company goals. You will also take a leading role in identifying funding opportunities, writing and securing grants, and building partnerships with funders, universities, and collaborators. This role is ideal for someone who can balance deep scientific insight with team leadership and strategic delivery. Key Responsibilities Lead and manage C4Cs innovation and R&D function, ensuring alignment with strategic and commercial goals Direct and mentor a cross-functional team of scientists, technical staff, and project leads to deliver on R&D and scale-up targets Drive technical innovation in CO mineralisation, additive formulation, and cement chemistry Oversee the full grant lifecycle opportunity scanning, bid writing, budgeting, compliance, reporting, claim preparation and risk assessment Translate complex scientific outcomes into persuasive funding narratives and strategic proposals Build and manage strong relationships with grant bodies, academic partners, subcontractors, and government agencies Support the design and technical delivery of pilot and commercial-scale demonstrators Lead procurement and contracting of lab equipment, pilot plant components, and third-party technical services Contribute to strategic planning, financial modelling, and investor communications Embed a culture of technical rigour, accountability, and collaboration across the organisation Be willing to relocate if required as the pilot or commercial plant progresses (initial expectation: Nottingham/Yorkshire; future: UK or Europe) Essential Requirements MSc or PhD in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering At least 5 years in a senior innovation, scientific, or technical leadership role at a start-up, ideally at C-suite level Proven experience managing scientific teams, with clear examples of mentoring, team development, and delivery under pressure Track record of coordinating, obtaining and managing UK/EU grants (e.g., Innovate UK, EIC, Horizon Europe) 10 -100 million Experienced in stakeholder management, public-private partnerships, and consortia coordination Familiarity with equipment procurement and negotiating technical contracts Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to present complex ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences Desirable Experience Background in cement, concrete, or industrial CO capture and utilisation Experience scaling innovation from TRL 37 Knowledge of LCA, EPDs, ESG reporting, or environmental regulation Experience implementing or optimising R&D systems, quality controls, or process documentation Demonstrated ability to build and lead R&D or innovation teams in high-growth, fast-paced environments Familiarity with investor reporting and supporting fundraising strategy Passion for sustainability, deep-tech innovation, and mission-driven work Benefits Strategic leadership role in one of the UKs most awarded climate-tech start-ups Equity options and milestone-based bonus Private health insurance and pension scheme Competitive annual leave Free meals and coffee at our Nottingham office A rare opportunity to lead innovation from lab to full-scale deployment Fast-track growth in a high-impact, high-visibility executive role55b20050-bc17-4e5d-bfce-3c406318dffc

Created: 2025-09-04