Innovation Associate - FTC

Digital Catapult; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Bank holidays

Pension 10%

Discretionary company bonus

Private medical insurance

Hybrid working

Job summary

Digital Catapult is seeking an Innovation Associate to join our team in London, with flexibility to work from other offices. This entry‑level role supports delivery of innovation programmes under the Innovation Manager, helping implement projects and maintain documentation.

You will gain exposure to design thinking, lean startup, and agile approaches while developing stakeholder engagement and reporting skills.

Qualifications

• Degree or experience in innovation, technology, or digital ecosystems.
• Familiarity with Design Thinking, Lean Startup and Agile methods.
• Experience gathering and documenting project requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist with delivery of innovation projects ensuring timelines and quality.
• Apply innovation methodologies and maintain project documentation.
• Coordinate communications between stakeholders and internal teams.
• Support organisation of innovation events, workshops and collaborations.
• Collect data for performance metrics and reporting.
• Identify risks and assist in mitigation planning.

Skills

Design thinking

Lean Startup

Agile

Stakeholder engagement

Project documentation

Data collection

Communication

Education

Degree in a relevant field

Advanced degree or innovation qualification (advantage)

Job description

As an Innovation Associate, you will work with the Innovation Manager and wider team in delivering innovation programmes and projects. This entry-level position is ideal for those eager to develop their skills in a dynamic, technology-driven environment. You will help implement projects, maintain documentation, support stakeholder engagement, and contribute to the continuous improvement of our innovation initiatives.

WHAT YOU'LL DO (Duties)

• Assist with the delivery and implementation of innovation and acceleration projects, ensuring timelines and quality standards are met.
• Aid with the application of innovation methodologies such as design thinking, lean startup, and agile approaches.
• Help maintain project documentation, databases, and knowledge‑sharing platforms.
• Coordinate communication between project stakeholders and internal teams.
• Assist in organising innovation events, workshops, and collaborative initiatives.
• Collect and compile data for project performance metrics and reporting.
• Identify and elevate project risks, aiding the development of mitigation strategies.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR (Experience)

• Ideally educated to a degree level in a relevant field or qualified by experience.
• An advanced degree or innovation management qualification would be advantageous.
• Familiarity with innovation methodologies such as Design Thinking, Lean Startup and Agile.
• Demonstrable interest in innovation, technology, or digital ecosystems, with relevant experience from academic projects, internships, or personal initiatives.
• Strong relationship‑building, problem solving and communication skills, with the confidence / ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Previous experience gathering, documenting and maintaining business / project requirements, identifying issues and contributing to the maintenance of project documentation.
• Adaptable, proactive, determined, driven and eager to learn in a fast‑paced environment.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Location(s): This role can be based out of any of our offices: London, Belfast and Bristol.

Deadline for Applications: Thursday, 3rd September 2026

Salary: £30,000-34,000 per annum (pro rata) - subject to skills and experience

Pre‑Employment Background Checking Process Due to the nature of our work across government and public sector contracts, including working with sensitive information, all applicants will need to successfully complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance process prior to starting employment.

Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion We recognise and value the advantages and opportunities that come with having people from diverse backgrounds working with us and it is our ambition to build an organisation which is representative and reflective of UK society. We welcome applications from neurodivergent candidates, candidates from minority and underrepresented groups and from candidates with more or less experience, provided the requisite skills can be demonstrated. As members of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. Please do speak with us about adjustments that could support you through our interview process. Digital Catapult is an equal opportunities employer. 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!

We have a vibrant and engaging culture where all voices are heard and a variety of employee led affinity groups who champion initiatives and provide opportunities for feedback to be shared. We use moments in the year to educate everyone at Digital Catapult on different aspects of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and to raise awareness. We also enjoy socialising and having fun together through a variety of company-wide events