Senior Innovation Manager - FTC (Part Time)

Digital Catapult Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Bank Holidays

Discretionary company bonus

4% pension matching

Private Medical Insurance

Job summary

Digital Catapult Group is seeking a Senior Innovation Manager to lead multi-disciplinary innovation initiatives on a part-time basis (1.5–2 days/week) under a fixed-term contract until March 2027. You will support the Innovation Practice Team, work with UKPN Wayl-ease SIF Beta and 6G HOLONET projects, and report to the Head/Director of Innovation.

You will apply Design Thinking, Lean Startup and Agile to coordinate teams, manage risks, and drive measurable outcomes while mentoring colleagues and

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing concurrent, complex innovation programmes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication across industry, academia and public sector.
• Experience driving adoption or business growth outcomes and reporting results clearly.

Responsibilities

• Manage delivery of UKPN Wayl-ease SIF Beta and 6G HOLONET projects ensuring milestones and deliverables are met.
• Apply Design Thinking, Lean Startup and Agile to coordinate multidisciplinary teams across projects.
• Engage partners across industry, academia and government to deliver measurable commercial and impact outcomes.
• Identify, monitor and resolve programme risks, gaps and dependencies and required actions.
• Mentor junior staff and embed best practice in programme delivery and knowledge management.
• Represent Digital Catapult externally and provide concise updates on progress and impact.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Cross-functional coordination

Delivery focus

SFIA alignment

Education

Degree in technology management / innovation / business strategy

Job description

We’re looking for a Senior Innovation Manager to join our Innovation Practice Team on a Part Time 1.5 – 2 days a week, fixed term contract until March 2027 to meet live project delivery demand across UKPN Wayl-ease SIF Beta and 6G HOLONET projects.

The Senior Innovation Manager will play a crucial role in the Innovation Practice, implementing and executing these complex, multi-disciplinary programmes and projects. Supporting the Head / Director of Innovation, this role will focus on leading specific innovation initiatives, providing project-based oversight and task management for innovation team members involved in these initiatives. The Senior Innovation Manager will be responsible for coordinating and guiding team efforts on these projects and programmes, ensuring the delivery of high-quality outcomes that align with organisational goals, without assuming direct line management responsibilities.

WHAT YOU’LL DO (Duties)

• Manage the delivery of UKPN Wayl-ease SIF Beta and 6G HOLONET projects ensuring milestones and deliverables are met.
• Apply innovation methodologies such as Design Thinking, Lean Startup and Agile to coordinate multidisciplinary teams effectively across these projects.
• Engage partners across industry, academia and government, championing SME participation and adoption to deliver measurable commercial and impact outcomes.
• Identify, monitor and resolve programme risks, gaps, dependencies and required actions across the UKPN Wayl-ease SIF Beta and 6G HOLONET projects escalating issues as needed to maintain effective delivery and governance.
• Mentor junior staff and embed best practice in innovation programme delivery and knowledge management.
• Represent Digital Catapult externally and provide concise, clear updates on programme progress, challenges and impact to funders, leadership, cross-functional teams and other stakeholders.

• Proven experience managing concurrent, complex innovation, R&D or accelerator programmes—ideally in deep tech, digital transformation, digital twins or ecosystem building with a strong understanding of innovation across sectors.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including engaging senior partners across industry, academia and the public sector and translating complex activities into clear, impactful narratives.
• Experience driving adoption or business growth outcomes, managing programme risks and milestones, and reporting results clearly and accurately.
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams, provide delivery direction without formal line-management authority, and maintain consistent programme documentation and information-management practices.
• Confident, driven and determined. An adaptable, resilient and collaborative approach, supported by strong organisational judgement and a clear delivery focus.
• Ideally educated to degree level in technology management, innovation, business strategy or a related discipline, or qualified by experience. with SFIA-aligned skills at the following levels:

o Business Situation Analysis (BUSA) – L4

o Innovation Management (INOV) – L5

o Knowledge Management (KNOW) – L4

o Performance Management (PEMT – L4

o Requirements Definition & Management (REQM) – L4

o Stakeholder Relationship Management (RLMT) – L5

Deadline for Applications:30th October 2026

Salary: £50-60,000 per annum pro rata 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.