At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead responsible innovation in deep tech, guiding ethical practices across projects.
- Company: Join Digital Catapult, a top UK tech innovation organisation making a societal impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid work, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth and social events.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology with ethics at the forefront and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Degree in tech ethics or governance; experience in responsible tech frameworks required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Digital Catapult is a deep tech innovation organisation. We help businesses grow by applying advanced technologies, partnering with government, industry, and academia to deliver solutions that benefit the UK’s economy and society. With nearly 300 innovators across multiple UK regions, we tackle significant challenges through collaborative, practical innovation, enabling responsible development and adoption of deep technologies.
Digital Catapult is looking for a Senior Responsible Innovation Manager to embed responsible practice across our organisation and the partners we work with. This role suits someone who works confidently at the intersection of innovation, deep tech, and societal impact. You will bring your domain expertise and experience to inform how the organisation addresses responsible technology innovation, and you will engage closely with technologists, partner organisations, legal and executive stakeholders. The role spans our responsible innovation approaches towards emerging technologies – such as AI, creative technologies, and quantum, both internally, in innovation and research projects, and externally, in support of the organisations we work with. The role sets out to guide and operationalise responsible innovation and enable the practical application of ethics in developing transformative and deep technologies across complex industries. As the regulatory and sociotechnical landscape around these technologies is moving quickly, we need someone who tracks that closely and who is confident translating that into actionable recommendations to inform our organisational strategy and shape our capability.
What you’ll do (Duties)
- Act as subject matter expert and primary advisor on responsible technology innovation across Digital Catapult, supporting senior leadership and legal stakeholders.
- Bring a risk-aware, human-centred and responsible perspective to the organisation, advising on how we work with industry and how we develop and use technology.
- Lead and champion responsible technology innovation practice across Digital Catapult programmes, fostering a culture of responsible innovation.
- Provide strategic guidance and mentorship to project leads and teams to integrate ethics, risk management, and harm mitigation into their ways of working from the outset.
- Conduct risk assessments, consultations and training services for organisations, including startups and enterprise level partners.
- Provide advice and consult on the responsible initial application of novel technologies, as well as on novel applications of existing or more established technologies.
- Work closely with academic partners on responsible innovation and technology risk research.
- Facilitate internal learning on responsible technology, building awareness and practical capability among colleagues, working with innovators and technologists.
- Monitor and enable compliance with regard to responsible technology innovation standards, regulations, best-practice and emerging industry requirements.
- Examine the socio-technical impacts of emerging technologies across complex systems and sectors.
- Contribute to Digital Catapult's external position on responsible technology innovation through industry engagement and published work.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a field related to technology ethics or governance, such as Computer Science, Social Sciences, Design or Law.
- Working experience developing and implementing responsible technology frameworks, policies, or guidelines within an organisation.
- Proven experience in embedding ethical, legal, and social considerations into the design, development, and deployment of AI or data-driven technical solutions.
- Ability to engage and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (design, data science, engineering, legal, business) to deliver responsible innovation outcomes.
- Confidence in communicating and advocating for responsible technology practices to both technical and non-technical audiences, including delivering training or awareness programmes.
- Evidence of staying current with emerging trends, technologies, and regulations in deep technology and responsible innovation; with proven knowledge of trends and regulations in Artificial Intelligence.
- Experience in producing robust, evidence-based artefacts (such as guidelines, checklists, or impact assessments) to support responsible technology implementation and governance.
Salary: c £60-70k per annum (subject to experience)
Deadline for applications: Tuesday 16th June 2026, 5 pm BST
Start Date: As soon as possible.
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!
Senior Responsible Innovation Manager employer: Digital Catapult
Digital Catapult is an exceptional employer, recognised as one of the UK's Top 100 Best Workplaces, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises innovation and responsible technology. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive benefits including a generous holiday package, double-matched pension contributions, and opportunities for hybrid working, all while fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that values every individual's contribution.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Responsible Innovation Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, webinars, or even local meetups related to responsible innovation and deep tech. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or at networking events, don’t hold back on sharing your insights about responsible technology innovation. This will not only showcase your knowledge but also demonstrate your passion for the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! If you’ve had a chat with someone from Digital Catapult or any other organisation, drop them a quick thank-you email. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them of your enthusiasm and keep you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in responsible innovation. Keep an eye on our careers page and don’t hesitate to apply directly – it shows initiative and interest!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Responsible Innovation Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Responsible Innovation Manager role. Highlight your experience in responsible technology innovation and how it aligns with our mission at Digital Catapult.
Showcase Your Expertise:Don’t hold back on sharing your domain expertise! We want to see how your background in technology ethics or governance can contribute to our projects. Use specific examples to demonstrate your impact.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant, and make sure your passion for responsible innovation shines through!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our values there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Digital Catapult
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in responsible technology innovation, especially around AI and deep tech. Familiarise yourself with Digital Catapult's projects and how they align with societal impact. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also genuinely engaged with the organisation's mission.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past work where you've successfully embedded ethical considerations into technology projects. Highlight your experience with risk assessments and how you've guided teams in integrating responsible practices. Concrete examples will help you stand out as a candidate who can hit the ground running.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t just wait for questions; engage with your interviewers by asking insightful questions about their current projects and challenges. This demonstrates your interest and helps you gauge how you can contribute to their goals. Plus, it shows that you’re proactive and ready to collaborate.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll be working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. During the interview, focus on clear communication and ensure you can articulate your thoughts on responsible innovation effectively. This will reassure them that you can bridge the gap between different teams.
