R&D Proposals Manager

Digital Catapult; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Discretionary company bonus

Pension plan 10% of salary

Health benefits selection

Hybrid working

Job summary

Digital Catapult is seeking an experienced R&D Proposals Lead to manage a portfolio of pre-award and bid activities across public and private funding sources. You will drive proposal excellence, coordinate internal bid teams, and ensure high-quality, timely submissions while guiding funder expectations and internal policies.

Join a collaborative team shaping the UK's future in advanced digital technologies.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing and submitting R&D grant proposals or commercial bids.
• Understanding of public funding sources (e.g. UKRI, Innovate UK, EC Horizon).
• Skilled in stakeholder coordination, communication, and navigating tight deadlines.
• Familiarity with FEC principles and proposal budget development.
• Demonstrated ability to write, review and enhance proposal narratives and documentation.
• Previous experience in or supporting innovation or R&D environments.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the team for the development and submission of high-value, complex R&D grant proposals and commercial bids.
• Coordinate internal bid teams and ensure quality, timely submissions across multiple departments.
• Interpret funder documentation and advise on requirements, compliance, and internal processes.
• Support budget development aligned with full economic costing (FEC) and funder guidelines.
• Improve internal systems for pre-award proposal management and bid development.
• Drive proposal content strategy including impact, innovation, and collaboration sections.

Skills

Grant proposals

Budget development

Stakeholder coordination

R&D funding knowledge

Narrative writing

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, andprovidesubject matter guidance on funder expectations and internal policies.

WHAT YOU'LL DO (Duties)

• Collaborate with the team forthe development and submission of high-value, complex R&D grant proposals and commercial bids.
• Coordinate internal bid teams and ensure quality,timelysubmissions across multiple departments.
• Interpret funder documentation and advise on requirements, compliance, and internal processes.
• Support budget development aligned with full economic costing (FEC) and funder guidelines.
• Improve internal systems for pre-award proposal management and bid development.
• Drive proposal content strategy including impact, innovation, and collaboration sections.

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, andprovidesubject matter guidance on funder expectations and internal policies.

WHAT YOU'LL DO (Duties)

• Collaborate with the team forthe development and submission of high-value, complex R&D grant proposals and commercial bids.
• Coordinate internal bid teams and ensure quality,timelysubmissions across multiple departments.
• Interpret funder documentation and advise on requirements, compliance, and internal processes.
• Support budget development aligned with full economic costing (FEC) and funder guidelines.
• Improve internal systems for pre-award proposal management and bid development.
• Drive proposal content strategy including impact, innovation, and collaboration sections.

Requirements

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR (Experience)

• Proven experience managing andsubmittingR&D grant proposals or commercial bids.
• Understanding of public funding sources (e.g. UKRI, Innovate UK, EC Horizon).
• Skilled in stakeholder coordination, communication, and navigating tight deadlines.
• Familiarity with FEC principles and proposal budget development.
• Demonstrated ability to write,reviewand enhance proposal narratives and documentation.
• Previousexperience in or supporting innovation or R&D environments.

Salary: c. £40,000-£50,000 pa (subject to experience) + discretionary bonus + competitive benefits package

Deadline for Applications: 30th October 2026

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.

Benefits

• 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.