Innovation Manager

The Innovation Manager plays a key role in our Innovation Practice, managing the execution of innovation programmes and projects. You will support the Senior Innovation Manager and Head of Innovation, ensuring high-quality outcomes that align with organisational goals. The role includes facilitating collaboration, tracking delivery, providing guidance to junior colleagues, and driving continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end delivery of allocated innovation and acceleration projects at the UK Digital Twin Centre, ensuring timelines, budgets, quality standards, and organisational goals are met.
• Apply innovation methodologies,including design thinking, lean startup, and agile approaches,to deliver assigned projects and refine best practice through continuous improvement.
• Mentor, support, and empower junior colleagues, providing practical project guidance as needed.
• Build strong relationships across government, industry, academia, and startups, and facilitate communication and collaboration between project teams, stakeholders, and other departments.
• Resolve day-to-day delivery challenges; identify, assess, and mitigate project risks; and track performance metrics, providing regular updates and reports to management and stakeholders.
• Represent Digital Catapult at industry events and conferences, with a focus on the delivery and operational aspects of innovation.

Requirements

• Experience managing complex innovation projects or programmes, with a solid understanding of innovation delivery in technology or digital settings.
• Practical knowledge of innovation frameworks, with experience using design thinking, lean startup, or agile approaches in project delivery.
• Strong relationship-building, mentoring, and collaboration skills, with a focus on empowering junior colleagues.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and address project risks and challenges.
• Effective communicator, able to share project updates and progress clearly with a variety of audiences.
• SFIA-aligned competencies at the following levels:
• Business Situation Analysis (BUSA) – L4
• Innovation Management (INOV) – L5
• Knowledge Management (KNOW) – L3
• Requirements Definition & Management (REQM) – L4
• Stakeholder Relationship Management (RLMT) – L4
• Adaptable, proactive, and committed to continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• We are in the UK’s Top 100 Best Workplaces and placed in the UK’s Best Workplaces in Tech and Large Organisations.
• Digital Catapult is a Disability Confident Committed Level 1 Employer.
• Excellent holiday package: 25 days annual leave, Bank Holidays, and 3 days between Christmas and New Year.
• Double-matched pension up to 10% of your salary;
• Discretionary company bonus
• 4% of your salary to use towards selecting benefits that work for you, including health cash plan, Private Medical Insurance; buying holiday, topping up your pension;
• E-Vehicle Scheme; Cycle2Work; Tech Scheme; Gym Discounts; Give As you Earn; PerkPal;
• Life insurance 4x salary;
• Free to access EAP & Financial Wellbeing advice;
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave;
• Hybrid working - with great offices to work from 2 days per week with some roles needing to be onsite more regularly to ensure the successful delivery of our work;
• Investment in your ongoing learning and development with us;
• Company social events throughout the year and free office snacks!