Venture Development Manager in Birmingham

Salary: 50k-60k per annum FTE + Benefits

Status: Permanent / Full-time preferable (requests for part-time/flexible working arrangements are welcome)

About Us

Energy Systems Catapult is an independent research and technology organisation. Our mission is to accelerate Net Zero energy innovation. Launched in 2015 by Innovate UK, the Catapult has built a team of more than 250 people, with a range of technical, engineering, consumer, commercial, incubation, digital and policy expertise. They draw on sector-leading test facilities, modelling tools, and data collected from our back catalogue of more than 500 research projects. We use that ‘whole energy’ system capability to support innovative companies -- small and large – to test, trial and scale their new products and services. Our impact comes when those innovators attract new customers, new investment and new grants so they can thrive in the future energy system.

Based in Birmingham, Energy Systems Catapult is part of a network of nine, world-leading technology and innovation centres, established by Innovate UK. The Catapult Network fosters collaboration between industry, government, research organisations, academia, and many others to transform great ideas into valuable products and services. We believe that innovation often stems from connecting different areas and ideas, and that working together in person can be an important enabler for that. We therefore expect people to be in the Birmingham office ~40 days/year (roughly one day per week).

Context

The Catapult’s Energy Launchpad Team (ELP) has been established to support UK innovators by helping them understand and navigate the energy transformation systemic barriers both domestically and overseas. It supports innovators to open routes to market both domestically and overseas, whilst helping them to tackle business growth challenges. We do this by applying ESC’s own capabilities to help SMEs address systemic barriers for energy innovation, in combination with tailored business growth support, and networking and opportunities to access and engage with the market. We also offer access to a broad network of existing incubators, accelerators and external support initiatives, both in the UK and in target countries abroad. Internationally, we aim to connect UK innovators to overseas markets and opportunities and to support inward investment in the UK energy innovation sector. As well as this, we aim to share UK experience and best practice to support overseas organisations and countries in their transition to low‑carbon pathways.

Purpose of Role

The Venture Development Manager is responsible for supporting innovative SMEs in achieving their market potential, leveraging the expertise, assets and capabilities of the Catapult and its network of 3rd party experts, to accelerate their journey to commercial launch and growing market share. This role is critical in identifying innovation that addresses energy system needs, helping ESC deliver tangible progress towards national objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and select cohorts of SMEs for market trials, supporting the design, piloting, and scaled adoption of new solutions that meet partner challenges and system needs.
• Collaborate with and support the market facing ‘Platform’ teams to develop SME innovator engagement strategy that advances the delivery of their overarching strategic priorities and targets.
• Identify the most promising innovators and solution providers for scale up and growth support, building and managing relationships, including critical appraisal of business (technology, market, team, funding, energy systems integration).
• Diagnose support needed to move the SME forward and where the capabilities of Catapult or its Delivery Partners and suppliers will make a difference.
• Managing innovation commercialisation support to SME-innovators, both from internal support and the external Delivery Supply Network (DSN).
• Understand the value drivers of the SME business and help them identify profitable opportunities to grow revenue, including the funding of asset development where appropriate.
• Support SME management teams to act on and internalise outputs and recommendations from support tasks – to maximise the likelihood that support results in actions and impacts.
• Grow and steward innovator networks, developing and maintaining up to date view of innovation landscape for specific sectors or innovation priorities.
• Capture and monitor impact of the supported SME in achieving commercial milestones e.g. finance/funding raised, demonstrator or pilot projects secured, joint development or license agreements, products-services launched, route to market partnerships, strategic sales, key hires or Board appointments.
• Deliver presentations, workshops and participate in Demo Days to showcase deployment case studies success stories to external stakeholders, strengthening ESC’s profile and position in the innovation ecosystem.

Skills & Experience

• Impressive, demonstrable track record and skills/experience gained from working in or with SMEs at start-up of scale-up stages.
• Showing the ability to deliver impact to supported SME.
• Experience of working for an incubator, accelerator or early-stage investor (e.g. angel investment or venture capital), highly desirable.
• Experience with SMEs developing new technology OR new services - some direct experience as an early member of the management team of a technology-based business highly desirable.
• Skilled at supporting SME business and market development for technology-based businesses.
• Skilled at working closely with Management Teams to determine business strategy and plans, technology-product-market roadmaps, and business needs for external resources.
• Skilled at managing the scoping and procurement of expert and consultancy services.
• Knowledge, familiarity and keen interest in areas of energy technology-services or markets.
• Understanding common issues faced by new technology in the different clean-energy sectors.
• Frames, articulates, documents and evaluates a range of commercial options.
• Turns market information into value propositions and finds ways to test the assumptions.
• Responsiveness as issues arise (within supported SME), willingness to take responsibility to help out or arrange help at short notice.
• The ability to build strong external relationships to enhance and strengthen the ESC profile.
• Numerate with strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced organisational environment.
• A can-do attitude, able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Persuasive and approachable, you can successfully manage relations with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent.

Impact Metrics

• Innovations advanced towards commercial deployment or scaling (product market fit, commercial contracts, trials).
• Investment raised, jobs created, revenue growth and market capitalization.
• Emissions reduced and cost savings generated for customers.
• Innovator ecosystem growth across range of commercial maturity levels.

Employee Benefits:

• Annual leave 28 days plus bank holidays (FTE) + Buy/Sell holidays.
• Buy/sell holiday – maximum 1 week based on contracted hours + Pension 2 for 1 contribution via salary sacrifice scheme up to 10% + Discretionary bonus scheme + Recognition scheme to celebrate “above and beyond” + EV Scheme Salary sacrifice + Cycle2work Salary sacrifice + Life assurance 4 x salary + Health Cash Back Plan + Retail and gym discounts + Employee Assistance Programme 24/7 phoneline and 6 free counselling sessions + Snacks and drinks + Annual company off-site event.
• Flexible working options for eligible employees = (Sabbatical/Compressed/Staggered/Flexible hours) + Working within a hybrid office attendance model with the expectation of being in the office at least 1 day a week.

Maternity Leave = (100% 13 weeks / 50% 13 weeks/SP 13 weeks/Unpaid leave for 13 weeks)

Adoption Leave = (100% 13 weeks/50% 13 weeks/SP 13 weeks/Unpaid leave for 13 weeks)

Paternity Leave = (100% 2 weeks)

Shared Parental Leave = (100% 10 weeks/50% 13 weeks/SP 13 weeks)

Would you like to Apply? The closing date for applications is Sunday 15th February 2026.

Please note that at this time we are unable to provide UK visa sponsorship. We welcome applications from all, including those who may be returning to work, those wishing to work flexibly for any reason, and those who may need additional support.

Energy Systems Catapult undertakes innovative and exciting work that will help shape the future of energy, with this in mind we encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible, as we do reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process. (Strictly No Agencies).

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion and belief, sexual orientation, or status regarding gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity.