R&D Proposals Lead

Digital Catapult; Belfast, Bristol, Gateshead, London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading company as an R&D Proposals Lead, playing a key role in shaping advanced digital technologies in the UK. This position involves managing complex grant proposals across various public and private funding sources, ensuring high-quality submissions while collaborating with internal experts and partners.

Benefits

5% performance-related bonus

Excellent holiday package: 25 days annual leave + 3 days Christmas

Double-matched pension up to 10% of salary

Private Medical Insurance

Hybrid working with office presence 2 days/week

Company social events and free office snacks

Gym Discounts

Investment in ongoing learning and development

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing and submitting R&D grant proposals or commercial bids.
• Strong understanding of public funding sources like UKRI and Innovate UK.
• Familiarity with FEC principles and proposal budget development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and submission of high-value R&D grant proposals.
• Coordinate internal bid teams to ensure quality and timely submissions.
• Advise on funder requirements and compliance.

Skills

Stakeholder coordination

Proposal writing

Technical documentation

Budget development

Project management

Job description

Join Digital Catapult as our new R&D Proposals Lead and play a critical role in shaping the UK’s future in advanced digital technologies. Operating between pre-award operations and strategic bid management, the role will manage a portfolio of proposals across a range of public and private funding sources, ensuring high-quality, timely, and compliant submissions. The role will drive proposal excellence, collaborate closely with internal experts and external partners, and provide subject matter guidance on funder expectations and internal policies.

WHAT YOU’LL DO (Duties)

1. Lead the development and submission of high-value, complex R&D grant proposals and commercial bids.
2. Coordinate internal bid teams and ensure quality, timely submissions across multiple departments.
3. Interpret funder documentation and advise on requirements, compliance, and internal processes.
4. Support budget development aligned with full economic costing (FEC) and funder guidelines.
5. Improve internal systems for pre-award proposal management and bid development.
6. Drive proposal content strategy including impact, innovation, and collaboration sections.
7. Proven experience managing and submitting R&D grant proposals or commercial bids.
8. Strong understanding of public funding sources (e.g., UKRI, Innovate UK, EC Horizon).
9. Skilled in stakeholder coordination, communication, and navigating tight deadlines.
10. Familiarity with FEC principles and proposal budget development.
11. Demonstrated ability to write, review, and enhance proposal narratives and documentation.
12. Previous experience in or supporting innovation or R&D environments.

Deadline for Applications: 23rd June 2025

We are committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. We value diverse backgrounds and aim to build an organization reflective of UK society. We welcome applications from neurodivergent candidates, minority and underrepresented groups, and those with varying levels of experience who can demonstrate the requisite skills.

As members of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria. Please discuss any adjustments needed for the interview process.

Digital Catapult is an equal opportunities employer.

• We are in the UK’s Top 100 Best Workplaces and among the UK’s Best Workplaces in Tech and Large Organisations.
• 5% performance-related bonus
• 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 salary
• Benefits including health cash plan, Private Medical Insurance, holiday purchase, pension top-up
• E-Vehicle Scheme; Cycle2Work; Tech Scheme; Gym Discounts; Give As You Earn; PerkPal
• Life insurance 4x salary
• Access to EAP & Financial Wellbeing advice
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Hybrid working with office presence 2 days/week; some roles onsite more regularly
• Investment in ongoing learning and development
• Company social events and free office snacks

We foster a vibrant culture where all voices are heard, supported by employee-led affinity groups and ongoing education on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. We enjoy social activities including sports, volunteering, and more.