Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engaging conversations with senior clients on emerging tech and strategy.
- Company: Outsmart Insight, a trusted technology intelligence company.
- Benefits: Flexible remote work, supportive team culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping long-term client relationships in innovative sectors.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in client-facing roles, ideally in tech or R&D environments.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on navigating the future of technology.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
The Pitch. It’s a fun job with a great team - and it’s a serious one too. This is not a traditional business development role. You won’t be pitching products, chasing leads or working from scripts. Instead, you’ll be working at the intersection of emerging technology, strategy, and long-term client relationships, helping some of the world’s most influential R&D-led organisations make sense of what’s coming next, and decide where to engage.
If you enjoy intelligent conversations with very smart people, are comfortable with ambiguity, and want real ownership rather than a narrow sales remit, this role will feel unusually well-matched.
The role: As Client Development Lead – Emerging Technology & Strategy, you will take ownership of how Outsmart Insight develops and grows its client relationships as we enter our next phase of scale. You will work directly with senior leaders (CTOs, Heads of Innovation, R&D Directors, technical strategists) across defence, aerospace, energy, elite sports, advanced manufacturing and government. Your job is to develop clients, not “sell to them”:
- Turning early curiosity into meaningful, funded engagements
- Shaping broad conversations into well-scoped pilots
- Growing trust-based relationships into long-term partnerships
This is a role for someone who wants to be close to decision-making, not buried in process.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading senior-level, consultative conversations with technically sophisticated clients
- Developing new client relationships and expanding existing strategic accounts
- Helping clients define the right problem to explore before money is spent
- Structuring pilots and guiding clients through how to buy, not just what to buy
- Acting as a trusted interface between deep technical insight and commercial outcomes
- Feeding market insight back into how we shape and position our services
- Working closely with delivery teams to ensure credibility, quality and follow-through
This is low-volume, high-trust work. Success is measured in relationship depth and repeat engagement, not activity metrics.
The technology landscape: You’ll gain exposure to – and be expected to engage thoughtfully with – a wide range of emerging technology domains, including:
- Artificial intelligence and human–machine teaming
- Robotics and autonomous systems
- Advanced sensing, haptics and human performance engineering
- Secure communications and resilient architectures
- Next-generation materials and energy systems
You don’t need to be an expert. You do need to be genuinely curious.
Who this role is for: This role is designed for someone who is:
- Mid-career and ready for greater autonomy and ownership
- Comfortable working with ambiguity and incomplete information
- Credible with technical, sceptical audiences
- Motivated by long-term impact rather than short-term wins
- Calm, thoughtful, and intellectually curious
Many strong candidates have experience within:
- Technical / Innovation Consultancy
- Senior Consultant / Principal Consultant (Technology, Innovation, Foresight)
- Innovation Consultant
- Technology Strategy Consultant
- Corporate Innovation / Open Innovation
- Open Innovation Manager
- Innovation Partnerships Manager
- External Innovation Lead
- Technology Scouting Manager
- Research Commercialisation
- Industry Partnerships Manager
- Corporate Venture Manager
- Ecosystem Manager
- Strategic Partnerships Manager
If you’ve spent years being close to important conversations but not quite owning the outcome, this role is worth your attention.
What we’re looking for: Rather than a checklist, we’re looking for strong alignment with how we work. In practice, that usually means:
- You’ll have 5+ years of experience in senior client-facing, partnership, consulting or commercial roles, ideally in technology-led or R&D-driven environments
- A track record of working with R&D-led or technology-driven organisations
- Comfort operating without scripts, rigid playbooks or heavy supervision
- A background in, or strong affinity for, science, engineering or technology
- The judgement to balance patience with momentum
If you describe yourself primarily as a “closer” or are motivated by aggressive targets, this role is unlikely to be a good fit.
Practicalities:
- Schedule: Monday to Friday, no weekends
- Location: UK-based
- Working style: Remote and flexible arrangements considered
Why Outsmart Insight? Advances in science and technology – from robotics and AI to climate tech and space – are reshaping every industry. Navigating that change requires more than information; it requires judgement, perspective and trust. Outsmart Insight is a technology intelligence company working at the intersection of deep tech and the future. We specialise in horizon scanning, technology monitoring, trend forecasting and innovation scouting, supporting global companies, venture firms and government agencies as they make long-term decisions under uncertainty. We are deliberately intellectually serious, and highly trusted by our clients. As we grow, we are focused on building durable partnerships.
Our values:
- Smart minds, working together
- Quality delivered every time
- Strong client relationships built on trust
- Hard work, rewarded
- A happy, healthy team
Apply: Send a short cover letter and a two-page CV to careers@outsmartinsight.com, outlining why this role and this type of work appeals to you. Please note: only applications sent directly to this email address will be considered.
Client Development Lead - Emerging Technology & Strategy in London employer: Outsmart Insight
Contact Detail:
Outsmart Insight Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Client Development Lead - Emerging Technology & Strategy in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, webinars, or even local meetups. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Be curious and ask questions during interviews. Show your genuine interest in the company and its projects. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you stand out as someone who’s ready to dive into meaningful conversations.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate your excitement about the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and interests. Use our website to find roles that excite you. Tailor your approach to each company, showing them why you’re the perfect fit for their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Client Development Lead - Emerging Technology & Strategy in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal and engaging, showing us why this role excites you. Highlight your curiosity about emerging technologies and how your experience aligns with our values.
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to reflect your relevant experience in client-facing roles and technology-driven environments. We want to see how your background makes you a perfect fit for the Client Development Lead position.
Showcase Your Curiosity: We love candidates who are genuinely curious! In your application, mention specific technologies or trends that fascinate you. This will help us see your passion for the role and the industry.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to apply through our website by sending your application directly to careers@outsmartinsight.com. This ensures we receive your application properly and can consider you for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Outsmart Insight
✨Understand the Role
Before your interview, take the time to really understand what the Client Development Lead role entails. Familiarise yourself with the nuances of working at the intersection of emerging technology and strategy. This isn’t about selling; it’s about building relationships and guiding clients through complex decisions.
✨Showcase Your Curiosity
Since this role requires a genuine curiosity about technology, be prepared to discuss your interests in emerging tech domains like AI, robotics, and advanced materials. Share examples of how you've engaged with these topics in the past, whether through projects, research, or conversations.
✨Prepare for Consultative Conversations
Think about how you can lead senior-level discussions without relying on scripts. Prepare to demonstrate your ability to shape broad conversations into meaningful engagements. Consider scenarios where you've successfully navigated ambiguity and helped clients define their problems before jumping into solutions.
✨Emphasise Relationship Building
This role is all about trust and long-term partnerships. Be ready to share your experiences in developing client relationships and how you've maintained them over time. Highlight your approach to creating credibility and ensuring quality in your interactions, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
