Purpose of the role

The Innovation Delivery Manager is a crucial delivery role in the Innovation Practice team. The role will take responsibility for managing a series of activities in relation to our acceleration and innovation programmes. Activities will include designing and delivering open calls and funding calls, scouting, cohort onboarding and management, workshops, masterclasses, and supporting a wide variety of businesses and stakeholders to work together on solving the most critical challenges in advanced technology innovation. The Innovation Delivery Manager will work with cross functional project teams, and contribute to the IP and DC’s growing portfolio of capabilities. A close working relationship with project leadership teams is required to ensure the activities are delivered to an exceptionally high standard.

The Innovation Delivery Manager will liaise with key internal and external stakeholders to help influence the growth of the programmes and deliver high-quality outcomes in line with our funders’ and ecosystem partners’ expectations. The role will have reporting responsibilities and will require a keen eye for maintaining high-quality delivery while sticking to a budget and timeline, leveraging knowledge in best practice and problem-solving. The dynamic environment of the Digital Catapult requires a proactive approach to activity management as competing stakeholders and objectives can present complex challenges to be resolved quickly and professionally.

This is a contract role until 31/03/2025

Key responsibilities & expected deliverables

• Manage the scoping, planning, initiation and delivery of the programmes’ Innovation and Acceleration Open Calls, taking account of the direction set by the broader team and external advisor
• Work alongside the Strategy and External Affairs Team to conduct startup ecosystem mapping and scouting for suitable Open Call applicants. Following up with targeted outreach calls to applicants
• Manage the open call process, including the coordination of the evaluation and judging processes
• Collaboratively plan key programme activities with relevant Technical, Innovation and Programme Leads
• Coordinate and manage programme related events, including pitch days and workshops
• Enthuse and engage the team, escalate any risks, issues and dependencies to Innovation Partners and Programme Leads as required.
• Monitor and report on programme (timelines, budget, issues and risks) and measures of success to Programme Leads
• Build and manage key stakeholder relationships (including funders, clients, sponsors and delivery partners) including internal stakeholders
• Build and manage relationships with cohorts and participants, and manage the recruitment of appropriate contributors to activities (speakers, startups, experts, etc)

Requirements

• Hands-on innovation and acceleration experience.
• Experience in running competitive procurement/tender processes and / or managing open calls.
• Highly organised, able to look ahead and ensure that interdependent activities are completed to ensure adherence to schedule.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, capable of maintaining strong relationships.
• Proactive and self-confident, adaptable to ambiguity, change and evolving priorities.
• Excellent analytical problem solving and multi-tasking skills, with a creative, optimistic and flexible attitude.
• Strong at presenting, facilitating and leading stakeholder meetings.
• Very collaborative working style, desire and ability to share ideas, and enthuse and engage others.

Benefits

• 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;
• 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;
• 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 1-3 days per week;
• Investment in your ongoing learning and development with us;
• Company social events throughout the year and free office snacks!