Lead for Strategic Engagement

Digital Catapult; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Job summary

Digital Catapult in the UK is seeking a Lead for Strategic Engagement to develop and strengthen the UK Digital Twin Centre’s network of strategic relationships, supporting adoption and growth of digital twin technologies across industry, government, academia and places.

Working with senior colleagues, you will translate market intelligence into opportunities, represent the centre at events, and build partnerships that accelerate impact while navigating policy, R&D and public-sector priorities.

Qualifications

• Strong stakeholder engagement experience across government, industry and the innovation ecosystem.
• Experience understanding and managing the communication and relationship needs of public funders and policymakers.
• Analytical with ability to translate policy and market insights into opportunities for collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Build influential relationships across industry, government, academia and innovation ecosystems to grow the Centre’s reach and impact.
• Translate connections into opportunities, developing partnerships, programmes and collaborations.
• Represent the Centre at high-profile events, forums, workshops and stakeholder meetings.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Policy understanding

Strategic partnerships

Analytical mindset

External networking

Job description

We are currently recruiting for a Lead for Strategic Engagement to join our Economics and Insights Team. The individual will help develop and strengthen the UK Digital Twin Centre’s network of strategic relationships and partnerships, supporting the adoption, growth and impact of digital twin technologies across industry, government, academia and place-based innovation ecosystems. Working closely with the Director of the UK Digital Twin Centre and colleagues across the Commercial, Research and Regional teams, the postholder will be confident and driven and will develop relationships with key stakeholders, identify opportunities for collaboration and contribute to programmes and initiatives that address industry and public-sector needs. This role will provide an important link between the centre and its external ecosystem, bringing insight from stakeholders into the Centre and helping to communicate the Centre’s capabilities, priorities and opportunities externally.

WHAT YOU’LL DO (Duties)

• Build influential relationships across industry, government, academia and innovation ecosystems to grow the UK Digital Twin Centre’s reach and impact.
• Turn connections into opportunities , developing partnerships, programmes, funding opportunities and commercial collaborations.
• Be a visible ambassador for the Centre , representing us at high-profile events, forums, workshops and stakeholder meetings.
• Bring the outside in , translating market intelligence, policy developments and stakeholder insights into opportunities and priorities for the Centre.
• Connect people, ideas and expertise , forming collaborations that accelerate the adoption and impact of digital twin technologies.

We’re looking for an experienced and confident engagement professional who can build trusted relationships and navigate the intersection of government, policy, R&D and innovation.

You’ll bring:

• Strong stakeholder engagement experience, building influential relationships across government, industry and the innovation ecosystem, turning stakeholder engagement into strategic partnerships and opportunities for collaboration.
• A track record of understanding and managing the communication and relationship needs of government, policymakers, public funders and other key stakeholders within R&D and innovation.
• Analytical with a strategic and inquisitive mindset, with the ability to analyse complex policy, technology and innovation landscapes, identifying opportunities to strengthen partnerships, influence decision-makers and advance organisational objectives.
• An established external network and the ability to develop influential relationships across government, industry, academia and the wider innovation ecosystem.
• A collaborative, driven and determined approach, with the confidence to work across teams, and the ability to work independently / autonomously and influence stakeholders and build momentum around shared priorities.
• A genuine interest in emerging technologies, digital transformation and public policy, with an understanding of the organisations shaping the UK’s technology landscape and developments in areas of Digital twin Technologies, including AI, Cyber-Security, Data Services, IoT, immersive technologies.

Deadline for Applications: 2nd October 2026 (we do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications). Salary: £45,000-£55,000 per annum (subject to 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 leav