Senior Innovation Manager

Digital Catapult; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading innovation organization in Belfast is seeking a Senior Innovation Manager to lead complex innovation programs. You will engage with industry, academia, and government partners to drive collaborative outcomes. The ideal candidate has experience in managing innovation projects and strong stakeholder management skills. This role offers a competitive benefits package, including hybrid working and a commitment to diversity.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Double-matched pension up to 10%

Discretionary company bonus

Health cash plan

Hybrid working arrangements

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Qualifications

• Proven experience running complex innovation or R&D projects.
• Understanding of innovation processes in various sectors.
• Experience driving adoption activities for organizations.
• Strong organizational judgment and delivery focus.

Responsibilities

• Manage the delivery of multiple innovation and business growth projects.
• Engage with partners to drive collaboration and outcomes.
• Champion SME engagement and adoption strategies.
• Mentor junior staff in program delivery.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Communication skills

Innovation methodologies

Project management

Education

Degree in technology management, innovation or business strategy

Tools

Agile methodologies

Design Thinking

Job description

About Digital Catapult

Digital Catapult is a deep tech innovation organisation. We help businesses grow by applying advanced technologies, partnering with government, industry, and academia to deliver solutions that benefit the UK’s economy and society. With nearly 300 innovators across multiple UK regions, we tackle significant challenges through collaborative, practical innovation.

The Role

The Senior Innovation Manager will play a key role within the Innovation Practice, leading the delivery of complex innovation programmes - most notably Smart Nano NI and our Innovate UK Business Growth and RTO support initiatives.

The postholder will coordinate multi-partner projects, align delivery priorities, engage key stakeholders, and ensure that programme outcomes meet high-impact innovation and business growth objectives. This is a leadership role centred on collaboration, programme management, and strategic influence rather than technical specialism.

You will bring strong experience in managing innovation or R&D initiatives involving multiple organisations, supporting technology adoption, and ensuring measurable benefits for regional industry partners and SMEs.

What You’ll Do

• Manage the delivery of Smart Nano NI and other innovation and business growth projects, ensuring milestones and deliverables are met.

• Apply innovation methodologies such as Design Thinking, Lean Startup, and Agile approaches to manage multidisciplinary teams effectively.

• Engage with regional partners across industry, academia, and government to drive collaboration and innovation outcomes.

• Identify, monitor, and escalate risks proactively to ensure effective programme delivery and governance.

• Champion SME engagement and adoption strategies, delivering measurable commercial and impact outcomes.

• Mentor and support junior staff, sharing best practice in innovation programme delivery.

• Represent Digital Catapult Northern Ireland externally, communicating progress, challenges, and impact through reports, presentations, and stakeholder interactions.

• Deliver concise, clear programme updates to funders, internal leadership, and cross-functional teams.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience running complex innovation or R&D projects, ideally across multi-stakeholder or consortia environments.

• Demonstrable understanding of innovation processes in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, photonics, smart materials, or data-driven technology.

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with proven success engaging with senior partners across industry, academia, and the public sector.

• Experience driving adoption activities or business growth outcomes for participating organisations.

• Strong ability to manage project risks, track milestones, and report outcomes clearly and accurately.

• Outstanding communication skills—able to translate complex innovation activities into clear, impactful narratives and outcomes.

• Preferably educated to degree level (postgraduate or MBA highly desirable) in relevant disciplines such as technology management, innovation, or business strategy.

• SFIA-aligned skills at the following levels:

• Business Situation Analysis (BUSA) – L4

• Innovation Management (INOV) – L5

• Knowledge Management (KNOW) – L4

• Requirements Definition & Management (REQM) – L5

• Stakeholder Relationship Management (RLMT) – L5

• Adaptable, resilient, and collaborative approach, with strong organisational judgement and delivery focus.

Deadline for Applications:Friday 28th November @ 5pm

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.