Associate Director (Emerging Technology & Foresight)

Outsmart Insight; Greater London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Outsmart Insight is looking for an Associate Director in Greater London to lead technology intelligence projects for R&D organizations and governmental bodies. You will engage with cutting-edge technologies, mentor a team, and drive strategic discussions with clients.

The ideal candidate has a strong scientific or engineering background, over 8 years of relevant experience, and is comfortable with rapidly evolving technologies such as AI and quantum computing.

You will be responsible for producing high-quality reports, facilitating workshops, and building relationships with key stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' experience in technology intelligence, innovation consulting or similar role.
• Ability to quickly understand and communicate complex technologies.
• Experience leading complex client engagements with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead client discovery and technology scoping discussions.
• Transform technical research into client-ready reports and presentations.
• Mentor analysts and lead multidisciplinary project teams.
• Produce thought leadership in technology intelligence.

Skills

Technical communication

Client relationship building

Mentoring and leadership

Analytical thinking

Education

Degree in physics, engineering or similar scientific discipline

Job description

The Pitch - It’s a fun job with a genuinely exceptional team. You'll engage with deep-tech pioneers in leading laboratories and startups around the world, while advising R&D organisations and government agencies on the technologies shaping the future.

Outsmart Insight is seeking an Associate Director with a strong scientific or engineering background and proven experience analysing emerging technologies across multiple domains. You'll be equally comfortable discussing quantum computing, synthetic biology, advanced robotics, aerospace or AI, rapidly synthesising complex technical developments into strategic insight for clients.

You'll engage with scientists, founders and industry experts around the world to understand frontier technologies and translate complex research into clear, strategic insight for multinational R&D companies and government agencies.

This is a role for an intellectually curious generalist. You don't need to be an expert in every technology – we're looking for someone who can become conversant quickly, ask the right questions and produce exceptional work.

Alongside leading client engagements, you'll lead a small team, mentor analysts, build trusted client relationships and help shape the future direction of Outsmart Insight's technology intelligence capabilities.

What you will be doing

• Lead discovery, technology scoping and strategic discussions with key clients
• Translate complex business challenges into technology intelligence workflows, underpinned by a global network of 8,500+ scientists, engineers and deep tech pioneers
• Build trusted relationships with CTOs, Chief Scientists, Corporate Venture teams and technology scouts
• Review and sign off client deliverables, maintaining exceptional quality standards
• Transform complex technical research into concise, client-ready reports and presentations
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams, mentoring analysts throughout delivery
• Present findings, facilitate workshops and communicate strategic recommendations to senior stakeholders
• Produce thought leadership that strengthens Outsmart Insight's position in technology intelligence

You are expected to gain exposure to a wide range of emerging technology topics, such as:

• Artificial intelligence and AI agents
• Autonomous and robotic systems
• Advanced manufacturing and industrial automation
• Advanced materials and nanotechnology
• Biomanufacturing and the bioeconomy
• Climate technologies and carbon removal
• Defence and dual-use technologies
• Digital engineering and digital twins
• Energy storage, fusion and next-generation energy
• Human performance and neurotechnology
• Photonics and advanced sensing
• Quantum computing, sensing and communications
• Satellite systems and space technologies
• Semiconductor and advanced compute technologies
• Synthetic biology and engineering biology

We're looking for someone who

• Holds a degree (BSc, MSc or PhD) in physics, engineering or similar scientific discipline
• Has 8+ years' experience in technology intelligence, innovation consulting or a similarly broad technical role
• Can quickly understand unfamiliar technologies and communicate them with clarity
• Has led complex client engagements with senior technical and commercial stakeholders
• Builds trusted client relationships
• Enjoys mentoring others and raising the quality of those around them
• Thrives in a fast-moving, intellectually demanding environment

Experience that would be advantageous

• Technology intelligence
• Strategic technical foresight
• Currently in roles such as Research Director, Principal Technology Analyst, Senior Technology Analyst, etc.