Innovation Manager (Maternity Cover)

Digital Catapult Group; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Bank Holidays

Pension 10% matched

Discretionary company bonus

Private Medical Insurance

Job summary

Digital Catapult Group in Belfast is seeking an Innovation Manager to lead end-to-end delivery of innovation programmes at the UK Digital Twin Centre. You will apply design thinking, lean startup and agile approaches to drive results and continuous improvement.

You will mentor junior colleagues, build cross-sector relationships with government, industry, academia and startups, and report progress to management. Hybrid working and ongoing professional development are available.

Qualifications

• Experience managing complex innovation projects or programmes in technology or digital settings.
• Knowledge of innovation delivery frameworks (design thinking, lean startup, agile).
• Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills with junior colleagues.
• Ability to identify and mitigate project risks and communicate progress clearly.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end delivery of allocated innovation projects at the UK Digital Twin Centre.
• Apply design thinking, lean startup and agile methods to projects and improve practice.
• Mentor and empower junior colleagues with practical project guidance.
• Build relationships across government, industry, academia and startups to enable delivery.
• Resolve delivery challenges, monitor risks and report performance to stakeholders.
• Represent Digital Catapult at industry events, focusing on delivery and operations.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Communication

Job description

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.

WHAT YOU'LL DO (Duties)

• 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.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR (Experience)

• 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:

1. Business Situation Analysis (BUSA) – L4
2. Innovation Management (INOV) – L5
3. Knowledge Management (KNOW) – L3
4. Requirements Definition & Management (REQM) – L4
5. Stakeholder Relationship Management (RLMT) – L4

• Adaptable, proactive, and committed to continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.

Deadline for Applications:

Thursday, 10th September 2026

Salary:

£36,000-40,000 per annum - 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 aDisability 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 heardand 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 held throughout the year including our football team, running and climbing groupsand volunteering activities.