At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead investment strategy and empower high-potential scaleups in the deep tech sector.
- Company: Join Digital Catapult, a top workplace in the UK, driving innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, hybrid working, and extensive professional development.
- Why this job: Make a national impact by supporting exciting early-stage tech companies.
- Qualifications: Proven investment strategy experience and strong investor network required.
- Other info: Inclusive culture welcoming diverse backgrounds and offering excellent career growth.
The predicted salary is between 78000 - 102000 £ per year.
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.
- Align 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. Digital Catapult is a Disability Confident Committed Level 1 Employer.
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!
Director of Investment in London employer: Digital Catapult Group
Contact Detail:
Digital Catapult Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Investment in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the investment scene. Attend industry events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. The more connections we have, the better our chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or investors, make sure to highlight your experience in leading investment strategies and supporting early-stage companies. We want them to see how you can drive impact and contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to investment strategy and deal execution. We should also be ready to discuss our past successes in capital-raising and scaling startups. Confidence is key, so let’s nail those responses!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission to shape the UK’s deep tech landscape.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Investment in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in investment strategy and deep tech. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Digital Catapult!
Showcase Your Network: Don’t forget to mention your connections within the investment community! A strong network across VCs, angels, and family offices is key for this role, so let us know who you know and how you’ve leveraged those relationships.
Quantify Your Achievements: When detailing your past experiences, use numbers to demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s funds raised or companies scaled, we love seeing measurable results that showcase your success in supporting early-stage tech companies.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Digital Catapult Group
✨Know Your Investment Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of Digital Catapult’s investment strategy and how it aligns with the UK’s deep tech landscape. Be ready to discuss your own experience in leading investment strategies and how you can contribute to shaping theirs.
✨Showcase Your Network
Highlight your existing investor network during the interview. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've engaged with VCs, angels, and other investors in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to strengthen their investor engagement efforts.
✨Demonstrate Diligence Expertise
Since due diligence is a key part of the role, come equipped with examples of your experience in deal execution. Discuss how you've managed term sheets and governance processes, and be ready to explain your approach to financial, technical, and commercial assessments.
✨Align with National Innovation Priorities
Familiarise yourself with UKRI and Innovate UK’s High Potential Business Strategy. During the interview, articulate how your vision for investment aligns with these national priorities and how you can help early-stage companies scale effectively.