Director of Investment

We’re looking for a dynamic and strategic Director of Investment to lead Digital Catapult’s investment function and shape the UK’s deep tech growth landscape. Reporting to the CFO, you’ll empower the next generation of high-potential scaleups to secure capital, accelerate commercial success and contribute to national innovation priorities. If you’re motivated by driving impact, building powerful investor networks and backing the most exciting early-stage technology companies, this is a rare opportunity to make a national-level contribution.

WHAT YOU’LL DO (Duties)

• Lead Digital Catapult’s investment strategy, overseeing direct investment, portfolio performance, and the development of new investment models and partnerships.
• Drive investor engagement, strengthening a high-quality network across VC, angels, family offices, CVCs and specialist providers.
• Deliver investment readiness support through programmes, workshops and advisory interventions that help startups secure capital and scale effectively.
• Oversee due diligence and deal execution for early-stage deep tech companies, including financial, technical and commercial assessments.
• Provide portfolio leadership, supporting companies through Board roles, governance oversight, and value-creation activities.
• Aligning investment, startup engagement, and programme design with UKRI/Innovate UK’s High Potential Business Strategy.

Requirements

• Proven experience leading investment strategy and direct investment activity, ideally in deep tech, including equity and CLN transactions.
• A strong, active investor network across VC, angels, family offices and CVCs, with a track record of delivering capital-raising outcomes.
• Experience supporting early-stage companies to scale, with measurable results such as funds raised, revenue or headcount growth.
• Expertise in diligence and deal execution, including presenting to Investment Committees and managing term sheets and governance processes.
• Credible leadership capability, able to build high-performing teams with the ability to build trusted relationships, be inclusive and work collaboratively, influence senior stakeholders and shape organisational direction.
• Strong understanding of the challenges facing UK scaleups, particularly those aligned to UKRI and Innovate UK’s High Potential Business Strategy.

Salary: c. £90,000 - £110,000 (subject to experience) + bonus + competitive benefits package

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.

Benefits:

• 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.
• 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 3 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!