At a Glance
- Tasks: Support innovation projects and engage with stakeholders in a tech-driven environment.
- Company: Join Digital Catapult, a top workplace in the UK for tech and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, hybrid working, and a range of employee perks.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in innovation and make a real impact on exciting projects.
- Qualifications: Ideal for recent graduates or those with relevant experience and a passion for technology.
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 (Duties)
- 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.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR (Experience)
- 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, identifying issues and contributing to the maintenance of project documentation.
- Adaptable, proactive, determined, driven and eager to learn in a fast-paced environment.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Location(s): This role can be based out of any of our offices: London, Belfast and Bristol.
Duration: This is a fixed term contract till 31 March 2027.
Deadline for Applications: Thursday, 3rd September 2026.
Salary: £30,000-34,000 per annum (pro rata) - subject to skills and experience.
Pre-Employment Background Checking Process: Due to the nature of our work across government and public sector contracts, including working with sensitive information, all applicants will need to successfully complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance process prior to starting employment.
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.
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! We have a vibrant and engaging culture where all voices are heard and 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 groups and volunteering activities.
Innovation Associate - FTC in London employer: Digital Catapult
Digital Catapult is an exceptional employer, recognised as one of the UK's Top 100 Best Workplaces, offering a vibrant and inclusive culture that champions diversity and employee engagement. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees benefit from a generous holiday package, hybrid working options, and a range of health and wellness initiatives, making it an ideal environment for those looking to grow their careers in innovation and technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Associate - FTC in London
✨Dive into Innovation Events
Get yourself noticed by attending innovation and R&D conferences in your area, like the local hackathons or industry networking events. These are great opportunities to connect with key players in the field and potentially uncover temporary roles at companies like Digital Catapult.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join online platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Slack channels focused on R&D and innovation. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and make your name known—this visibility could lead to temporary gigs or even recommendations from industry peers.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Create a digital portfolio that highlights your previous projects in R&D and innovation management. Include case studies or any innovative solutions you’ve developed—this will not only impress recruiters but make you stand out for temporary roles like the one at Digital Catapult.
✨Explore Flexible Opportunities on Our Platform
Make sure to check out temporary positions posted directly on our website. We often have fresh opportunities, so applying through us can give you an edge in landing roles that fit your skills in innovation and R&D management.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Associate - FTC in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Creative Side:In the world of innovation and R&D management, we want to see your creative thinking skills shining through! Make sure to include examples of how you've successfully led or contributed to innovative projects in your CV. Highlight any initiatives where your ideas helped bring a product to market or improved a process.
Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your adaptability in your application. Mention situations where you've had to quickly pivot or learn new skills to tackle a problem. This shows we can rely on you to hit the ground running and contribute right away.
Be Specific About Your Impact:Use quantifiable achievements to outline the impact of your work in previous roles. Talk about specific projects you've worked on in R&D, detailing how your management improved outcomes, timeframes, or innovation metrics. Numbers speak volumes and help us understand your contributions better!
Tailor Your Application for Us:When applying, make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter specifically for Digital Catapult. Research what ongoing projects or innovations they are working on and align your skills and experiences with those areas. It shows your interest in the company and the role, and makes your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at Digital Catapult
✨Show Your Creative Process
For a temporary role in innovation R&D management, it's crucial to demonstrate how you approach problem-solving and creativity. Be ready to share specific projects or ideas where you've turned a concept into a tangible solution. Think about what tools or methodologies you've used—like design thinking or Agile practices—and be prepared to discuss them!
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Innovation roles often involve the use of specific software or tools for project management and development. Make sure you're familiar with industry-standard programmes, whether that’s project management tools like Trello or Asana, or prototyping software. Brush up on these tools so you can confidently discuss how they enhance your workflow.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Given that this is a temporary position, showcasing your ability to adapt quickly is key. Be prepared to discuss examples where you’ve had to pivot or alter your approach on short notice. Employers want to know you can hit the ground running and adjust your strategies as needed.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect interviews in innovation roles to include scenario-based questions that assess how you’d handle real-life challenges. Think of hypothetical situations related to project delays or team conflicts and how you would address them. Having a couple of these in your back pocket can really demonstrate your critical thinking and leadership skills!
