Charley Sullivan
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in project and programme management, business case development, and risk management. Demonstrates strong skills in impact evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and relationship management. Proficient in Microsoft Office Apps and Salesforce, with a proven ability to deliver comprehensive reporting and effective comms. Adept at influencing and problem-solving to drive successful outcomes. Committed to leveraging skills for impactful contributions in future roles.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Portfolio manager
Economic and Social Research Council
Swindon, Wiltshire
2024.10 - Current
- Managed key investments for the Productivity and Institute Programme, ensuring effective relationship management.
- Account managed several long term key centres.
- Organised and led regular review meetings with partners to ensure compliant and successful governance and reporting.
- Risk managed an 8 figure programme.
- Developed a high eight-figure business case, securing UKRI approval and turned ambiguity into strategic action.
- Developed Theory of Change, Benefits Management Plan, Terms of Reference, Equality Impact Assessment, Environmental Impact Assessment, Comms Plan, SWOT analysis etc.
- Led on comms ensuring effective engagement with through targeted communication activities.
- Organise and manage ESRC’s strategic networking scheme, boosting participation by over 30% and promoting collaboration across the organisation.
- Sit on a risk management group ensuring effective risk management across ESRC.
- Sit on the SEARCH network, engaging with experts on how to promote security and resilience throughout UKRI.
- Represented ESRC at events, fostering relationships with key stakeholders to drive impact.
- Maintained relationship and needs of external evaluators, ensuring effective third party evaluation.
Impact and Performance Executive
Innovate UK
Swindon, Wiltshire
2021.05 - 2024.10
- Delivered a £200m portfolio, made up of over 1,000+ projects and 800 unique participants.
- Worked in a dual road in the Health and Life Sciences team, splitting my time 50/50 between the Medical and Agricultural programmes.
- Collaborated with various government departments such as DHSC, FCDO, DEFRA.
- Organised and oversaw a cross team super group to fast track resolution for any operational issues.
- Achieved a Responsibility Allowance working as the IPM for the Manufacturing, Materials, and Mobility portfolio in SIF.
- Represented Innovate UK at project review meetings with external partners.
- Conducted a portfolio rebalance, shifting ownership of projects and enabling proper project management and ensuring an appropriate workload for team members.
- Directed impact assessments, producing case studies and growth reports.
- Chaired regular portfolio reviews to address risks and streamline delivery.
- Connected businesses with key organisations for commercialisation and growth.
- Resolved partner conflicts to maintain project value-for-money.
- Designed spending evidence methodology contributing to the UK's Net Zero review.
- Fostered a collaborative work environment to enhance team performance.
Operations administrator
Innovate UK
Swindon, Wiltshire
2019.09 - 2021.05
- Delivered operational support for Innovate UK-funded projects throughout lifecycle, ensuring timely, high-quality outcomes.
- Procured and assigned Monitoring Officers to projects, matching skills with requirements and providing ongoing support.
- Maintained expert-level proficiency in contracts and procurement systems, enhancing team productivity and service quality.
- Contributed to business change initiatives that improved stakeholder satisfaction through effective process enhancements.
- Established and nurtured relationships with external contractors to leverage expertise for improved project oversight.
- Developed inclusive training materials aligned with organisation’s EDI mandate to foster diversity.
- Co-designed custom procurement system, prioritising quality over cost, reducing contractor expenses.
- Created and implemented feedback framework for third party contractor applications, boosting engagement and competitiveness in bidding processes.
- Utilised CRM systems effectively for efficient client data management.
Education
MSc Econ - International Relations
Cardiff University
Cardiff 2020.10 - 2021.06
BSc Econ - International Relations and Politics
Cardiff University
Cardiff 2015.09 - 2018.06
A-Levels - Law, Politics, Psychology, Extended Project Qualification
New College
Swindon 2012.09 - 2015.06
Ten GCSE's A-C (Including Maths, English, and Science)
Churchfields School
Swindon 2007.09 - 2012.06
Skills
- Project Management
- Programme Management
- Business Case Development
- Risk Management
- Impact Evaluation
- Comms
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Relationship Management
- Microsoft Office Apps
- Salesforce
- Reporting
- Communication
- Influencing
- Problem Solving
Certification
Agile Project Management (AgilePM) Practitioner, 2021
Agile Project Management (AgilePM) Foundation, 2021
Prince2 Foundation, January 2021
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Portfolio manager
Economic and Social Research Council
2024.10 - Current
Impact and Performance Executive
Innovate UK
2021.05 - 2024.10
MSc Econ - International Relations
Cardiff University
2020.10 - 2021.06
Operations administrator
Innovate UK
2019.09 - 2021.05
BSc Econ - International Relations and Politics
Cardiff University
2015.09 - 2018.06
A-Levels - Law, Politics, Psychology, Extended Project Qualification
New College
2012.09 - 2015.06
Ten GCSE's A-C (Including Maths, English, and Science)
Churchfields School
2007.09 - 2012.06