At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of high-value R&D proposals and manage submissions across various funding sources.
- Company: Join Digital Catapult, a top UK workplace in tech, shaping the future of digital innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, hybrid working, and a range of employee benefits.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in advanced digital technologies while collaborating with experts and partners.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing R&D proposals and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Join Digital Catapult and play a critical role in shaping the UK's future in advanced digital technologies. Operating between pre-award operations and strategic bid management, the role will manage a portfolio of proposals across a range of public and private funding sources, ensuring high-quality, timely, and compliant submissions. The role will drive proposal excellence, collaborate closely with internal experts and external partners, and provide subject-matter guidance on funder expectations and internal policies.
This role can be based out of any of our offices: Belfast, Bristol, Gateshead, or London.
WHAT YOU'LL DO (Duties)
- Collaborate with the team for the development and submission of high-value, complex R&D grant proposals and commercial bids.
- Coordinate internal bid teams and ensure quality, timely submissions across multiple departments.
- Interpret funder documentation and advise on requirements, compliance, and internal processes.
- Support budget development aligned with full economic costing (FEC) and funder guidelines.
- Improve internal systems for pre-award proposal management and bid development.
- Drive proposal content strategy including impact, innovation, and collaboration sections.
- Proven experience managing and submitting R&D grant proposals or commercial bids.
- Understanding of public funding sources (e.g. UKRI, Innovate UK, EC Horizon).
- Skilled in stakeholder coordination, communication, and navigating tight deadlines.
- Familiarity with FEC principles and proposal budget development.
- Demonstrated ability to write, review and enhance proposal narratives and documentation.
- Previous experience in or supporting innovation or R&D environments.
Salary: c. £40,000‑£50,000 pa (subject to experience) + discretionary bonus + competitive benefits package.
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 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.
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.
R&D Proposals Manager employer: Digital Catapult Group
Digital Catapult is an exceptional employer, recognised as one of the UK's Top 100 Best Workplaces, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee well-being and development. With a competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave, a double-matched pension scheme, and hybrid working options, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion ensures a supportive environment where all voices are valued, making it an ideal place for those passionate about shaping the future of advanced digital technologies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Proposals Manager
✨Leverage Innovation Hubs
Tap into local innovation hubs and research centres. These places often host events and workshops where you can meet like-minded people and industry leaders. Plus, they might have job openings that aren't widely advertised, so keep your ears open!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Turn your past innovation projects into compelling stories. Create a portfolio showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills. This can give hiring managers a real flavour of what you can bring to the table at companies like Digital Catapult Group.
✨Connect at Industry Conferences
Make it a point to attend industry conferences and seminars focused on R&D and innovation management. These events are fantastic for networking and often have job boards or career fairs where you can connect directly with firms looking for talent.
✨Use Your University’s Resources
If you're fresh out of university, don't forget to tap into your institution's career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies seeking new talent in R&D, especially for full-time roles. It's a good shortcut to landing a gig at places like Digital Catapult Group.
We think you need these skills to ace R&D Proposals Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Creative Thinking:In innovation and R&D management, it's all about thinking outside the box. Make sure your CV highlights any projects or experiences that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've developed and implemented innovative ideas in previous roles.
Tailor Your Experience to R&D:When you're crafting your CV, focus on your experience in research and development. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, including methodologies used and results achieved. This will show us at Digital Catapult Group that you understand the R&D process and can contribute meaningfully to our projects.
Let Your Passion Shine in the Cover Letter:For a full-time role like this, your cover letter should reflect your genuine passion for innovation and development. Share your excitement about the opportunity to work at Digital Catapult Group and touch on how your goals align with our mission. This helps us see your motivation for wanting to join our team!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in R&D! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your CV. Whether it’s a percentage improvement in project outcomes, the budget size you’ve managed, or the number of successful products you've launched, these figures will help paint a clearer picture of your impact and capabilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Digital Catapult Group
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Digital Catapult Group, they're going to want to see how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to discuss previous projects where you introduced a new idea or process. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and provide examples where your innovations drove significant results.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Technologies
Make sure you're clued up on the latest tools and technologies related to innovation management, such as project management software and data analysis platforms. Being able to discuss specific tools you’ve used or have experience with will show Digital Catapult Group that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, emphasising your teamwork skills will be essential. In innovation, collaboration often sparks the best ideas, so be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively within cross-functional teams in your past roles. Have concrete examples at the ready!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions in your interview that reflect real challenges you might face in the role. £At Digital Catapult Group, they might want to see how you handle tight deadlines or manage conflicting ideas within a team. Prepare some responses that demonstrate your critical thinking and decisiveness in high-pressure situations.
