We are seeking a supportive and forward-thinking Head of Innovation to lead and grow a high-performing team of innovation specialists. This role places a strong emphasis on people leadership—developing talent, driving performance, and fostering a collaborative and ambitious team culture. Alongside this, you will take responsibility for overseeing the design and delivery of our most complex and high-impact innovation programmes, championing the adoption of advanced digital and deep tech solutions across the UK. You will play a pivotal role in shaping delivery strategies, coordinating strategic projects, and strengthening Digital Catapult's national reputation as a centre of excellence for innovation.

Responsibilities

• Support and develop a team of up to 12 innovation specialists, fostering a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and high performance.
• Champion team growth by identifying development opportunities, providing mentorship, and ensuring everyone is equipped to achieve outstanding results.
• Oversee the and guide the delivery of our most strategic innovation and acceleration programmes, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and delivering maximum value for customers and partners.
• Embed and advance methodologies such as design thinking, lean startup, and agile to ensure excellence in innovation delivery.
• Provide strategic oversight across a £200M programme portfolio, ensuring effective resource allocation, proactive risk management, and consistently high standards of delivery.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders at all levels including government agencies, industry partners, startups, and academic to extend the reach and impact of our innovation activities.
• Ensure compliance with organisational standards, governance, and regulatory requirements across all delivery activities.
• Monitor and report on team performance, resource utilisation, and programme delivery metrics to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to cross-organisational initiatives and champion Digital Catapult's values, supporting a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

Requirements

• Experience supporting and developing high-performing teams, with a focus on collaboration, continuous learning, and inclusive team culture.
• Proven ability to deliver complex, multi-stakeholder innovation programmes, demonstrating both strategic oversight and hands-on involvement.
• Practical experience applying and embedding innovation methodologies such as Design Thinking, Lean Startup, and Agile within delivery teams.
• Skilled in engaging and building influential relationships with stakeholders across government, industry, academia, and the startup ecosystem.
• Demonstrated ability to allocate resources effectively, anticipate and mitigate risks, and maintain robust performance tracking in a dynamic delivery environment.
• Confident in ensuring compliance with organisational standards, governance controls, and regulatory requirements across all activities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to thrive in ambiguous or rapidly changing situations.
• Excellent communication skills, with experience reporting on team performance and programme delivery to inform decision-making.

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 a 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 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 access to EAP & Financial Wellbeing advice
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Hybrid working - with two days per week in the office, with some roles onsite more regularly to deliver work
• Investment in ongoing learning and development
• Company social events and office perks