Data and Digital Strategic Engagement Director

Contract type/Duration: Permanent

Working hours Full time (9day Fortnight companywide)

Band: 5.2

Salary: £98,415 – £110,208 (depending on office location and proven ability)

Reports to: Managing Director, Data and Digital, Connected Places Catapult

Location: Milton Keynes/London (minimum of two days a week in the office. You can do more than two days if preferable)

Internal Job Code: RC183

Closing date: 24 July 2025

The Role

This role will drive the growth of CPC\’s Data and Digital Practice through strategic engagement with leaders across industry, government, and academia, shaping systemic change and unlocking national renewal.

It will activate CPC’s communities as a catalyst for influence, intelligence, innovation and income pathways. It will enable the Data & Digital Practice to engage earlier, deeper, and more effectively in shaping national priorities and will position CPC at the forefront of national missions.

The role will align stakeholders around shared priorities, shape a coherent pipeline of strategic accounts, and deepen relationships that enable the adoption of data and digital innovation at scale.

• Initiate and develop strategic partnerships across public and private sectors including government agencies, regulators, academia, technology SMEs, utilities and insurance companies.
• Contribute to team targets by growing revenues that fund programmes and maximise impact, in line with CPC’s not-for-profit mission.
• Represent CPC\’s Data and Digital Practice in national forums and industry working groups to inform and shape policy.
• Lead strategic bids and proposition development aligned with CPC\’s vision and the UK\’s Industrial Strategy.
• Build on CPC\’s unique position as a trusted convenor to activate coalitions and shape partnerships, proposals and funded programmes.
• Convene experts and develop impactful thought leadership to inform the National agenda
• Shape narrative around “resilience in places” and data-led infrastructure revitalisation strategies.
• Oversee the Digital Twin Hub, hosted by CPC, and affiliated communities.
• Shape and execute a strategy to embed the Practice in key external ecosystems.
• Contribute to and manage quarterly planning, KPIs, and performance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead, set and oversee revenue targets.

• Ensure client wins.

• Secure excellence in contracting and account management.

• Ensure delivery upholds CPC brand and reputation.

• Enable Colleagues to deliver well.

• Ensure use of standard CPC project management tools and shared systems.

• Ensure people are led and feel valued.

• Lead client and new business relationships.

• Ensure proper and integrated use of CRM for shared organisational contact management.

• Recognised thought leader.

• Inspire others.

• Maintain own professional development.

• Ensure an ethos of equity, inclusivity and diversity underpin your work activity and contribute to inclusive innovation across all Catapult activities.

• You may be required to undertake any other reasonable duties to support the Catapult in achieving its strategic outcomes and ensure effective business operations.

• Keen to understand your personal strengths and development areas, undertake and reflect upon feedback opportunities and share insights and learnings gained to encourage open feedback channels.

• Aware of your surroundings, understands the complexities of social interactions, and manages all relationships astutely. You will tap into collective intelligence, sense the underlying patterns and trends, and harness them to innovate. Understanding that innovation is not just about ideas but also about people and their collaborative efforts.

• Understand the networks and relationships you build are key to organisational success, you will use effective relationship building to become a trusted adviser, partner and collaborator, understanding the needs of your network to offer solutions and support.

• Question the status quo, challenges conventional wisdom, and empowers your people to develop innovative solutions that give you an edge.

• Channel energy from conflict towards constructive debates, promoting a culture of \’innovative disagreements\’. Facilitates the process where everyone feels heard, fostering an environment of trust and collaboration, ultimately leading to breakthrough solutions.

• Skilled in driving significant organisational change – in strategies, processes, and mindsets. Implementing effective programmatic approach to ensure successful change delivery.

• Lead with strong decision-making ability to make informed choices and values led judgements, amidst the uncertainty and ambiguity that can be part of innovation.

• Balance risks with potential rewards, making the \’right bets\’ and having the courage to pivot when those bets don\’t pay off.

• Understand the organisation, and the market in which we operate to drive growth and create commercial opportunities for CPC expertise and networks to maximise value.

• Drive inclusion and sustainability as organisational imperatives upholding all aspects of policies, responsible for equalities impact assessment assurance, delivering on our, and ensuring inclusion and sustainability are a reference point in all aspects of CPC’s work.

• Articulate a compelling vision, align it with the organization\’s mission, and share it with the team. The vision is a \’north star\’ that guides innovative efforts, helping everyone understand how their contributions fit into the bigger picture.

• Empower teams, fostering an environment of psychological safety where people feel comfortable sharing ideas. Role modelling resilience and self-care in times of challenge and change.

• Understand that innovation isn\’t a one-time event but a continual process skill in nurturing a culture of continuous learning, encourage experimentation, accept failures as stepping stones, and ensure that innovation becomes part of the organisation\’s DNA.

• Use professional insight, networks and scenario planning to develop strategic plans that reflect the bigger picture to ensure success in evolving landscapes.

• Take ownership of the “tone from the top” and understand that walking the talk is vital in a connected and observing world. Can be relied upon to live the CPC values and challenge effectively when standards are not met whilst maintaining awareness of personal impact on the people and teams around.

• 9 day fortnight for everyone, we have a full company shutdown every other Friday.
• 23.5 holiday entitlement for everyone, with pro-rata calculations for part-time employees, along with a Christmas shutdown period for additional days off.
• Competitive pension, up to 10% company contribution to help you save for your future.
• Two paid days of volunteering leave per year (pro-rata for part-time employees) to support charitable activities.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing 24/7 confidential work/life support services to you and your immediate family members.
• Cycle to Work Scheme encouraging a healthy and sustainable commute.
• Cash Health Plan, offering reimbursement for a wide range of essential and everyday healthcare expenses, promoting your well-being.
• Payroll Giving scheme, allowing regular charitable contributions from pre-tax income, maximizing the impact of your donations.
• Discounts and offers from a wide variety of retailers , enhancing your purchasing power and providing savings opportunities.
• Mortgage Advice benefit, delivered in partnership with Charles Cameron & Associates – provides employees with free, expert mortgage advice and end-to-end mortgage support from the application process through to completion.

Employment here is based solely upon individual merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by law. We also make all reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under laws protecting the rights of the disabled.

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