Innovation Associate

Innovation Associate

Bristol Full-Time 28800 - 48000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support innovation projects, maintain documentation, and engage with stakeholders in a tech-driven environment.
  • Company: Digital Catapult drives deep tech innovation to boost the UK economy and society.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, hybrid working, and perks like gym discounts and a double-matched pension.
  • Why this job: Join a vibrant team focused on innovation, learning, and making a social impact.
  • Qualifications: Degree or relevant experience in innovation; familiarity with methodologies like Design Thinking is a plus.
  • Other info: We celebrate diversity and are committed to equality, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.

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

As an Innovation Associate, you will work with the Innovation Manager and wider team in delivering innovation programmes and projects. This entry-level position is ideal for those eager to develop their skills in a dynamic, technology-driven environment. You will help implement projects, maintain documentation, support stakeholder engagement, and contribute to the continuous improvement of our innovation initiatives.

What You’ll Do

  • Assist with the delivery and implementation of innovation and acceleration projects, ensuring timelines and quality standards are met.
  • Aid with the application of innovation methodologies such as design thinking, lean startup, and agile approaches.
  • Help maintain project documentation, databases, and knowledge-sharing platforms.
  • Coordinate communication between project stakeholders and internal teams.
  • Assist in organising innovation events, workshops, and collaborative initiatives.
  • Collect and compile data for project performance metrics and reporting.
  • Identify and escalate project risks, aiding the development of mitigation strategies.
  • Ideally educated to a degree level in a relevant field or qualified by experience. An advanced degree or innovation management qualification would be advantageous
  • Familiarity with innovation methodologies such as Design Thinking, Lean Startup and Agile.
  • Demonstrable interest in innovation, technology, or digital ecosystems, with relevant experience from academic projects, internships, or personal initiatives.
  • Strong relationship-building, problem solving and communication skills, with the confidence / ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
  • Previous experience gathering, documenting and maintaining business / project requirements and contributing to the maintenance of project documentation.
  • Experience or eagerness for event organisation and collaborative initiatives.
  • Competent analysing information to identify issues.
  • Adaptable, proactive, determined, driven and eager to learn in a fast-paced environment.
  • Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Deadline for Applications: 15th July 2025

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.

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Innovation Associate employer: Digital Catapult Group

Digital Catapult is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a commitment to innovation and collaboration, employees benefit from a generous holiday package, hybrid working options, and a range of health and wellness initiatives, all while contributing to meaningful projects that drive the UK’s economy and society forward.
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Contact Detail:

Digital Catapult Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Innovation Associate

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with innovation methodologies like Design Thinking, Lean Startup, and Agile. Understanding these concepts will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the innovation and tech sectors. Attend relevant events or workshops to meet people who can provide insights into the industry and potentially refer you for the position.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your problem-solving skills by discussing any relevant projects or experiences during your conversations. Be prepared to share how you’ve tackled challenges in past roles or academic settings.

✨Tip Number 4

Demonstrate your adaptability and eagerness to learn by asking insightful questions during interviews. This shows that you are proactive and genuinely interested in contributing to the team’s success.

We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Associate

Innovation Methodologies (Design Thinking, Lean Startup, Agile)
Project Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Documentation and Reporting
Data Analysis
Communication Skills
Event Organisation
Problem-Solving Skills
Relationship-Building
Adaptability
Proactivity
Attention to Detail
Team Collaboration
Continuous Improvement Mindset

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the role of Innovation Associate. Emphasise any familiarity with innovation methodologies like Design Thinking, Lean Startup, and Agile.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for innovation and technology. Mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to engage stakeholders.

Showcase Relevant Experience: Include any academic projects, internships, or personal initiatives that relate to innovation or technology. This will help illustrate your commitment and eagerness to learn in a fast-paced environment.

Highlight Soft Skills: In your application, emphasise your strong relationship-building and communication skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully coordinated with teams or organised events, as these are key aspects of the role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Digital Catapult Group

✨Understand Innovation Methodologies

Familiarise yourself with key innovation methodologies such as Design Thinking, Lean Startup, and Agile. Be prepared to discuss how you have applied or would apply these approaches in real-world scenarios, as this will demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the role.

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

As an Innovation Associate, you'll need to coordinate communication between various stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, and think of examples where you've successfully engaged with different groups in the past.

✨Highlight Your Problem-Solving Abilities

Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've identified issues and developed solutions. This could be from academic projects, internships, or personal initiatives. Showing your analytical skills will be crucial in this role.

✨Demonstrate Your Eagerness to Learn

This position is entry-level, so it's important to convey your willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced environment. Share examples of how you've embraced new challenges and sought out opportunities for growth in your previous experiences.

Innovation Associate
Digital Catapult Group
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