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- Tasks: Lead innovative projects in the UK Space Industry and drive commercial growth.
- Company: Join a pioneering organisation at the forefront of space technology.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, study support, and on-the-job training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the space sector while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic planning, stakeholder management, and cross-functional teamwork.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values innovation and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Satellite Applications Catapult (Catapult) is at the forefront of the burgeoning UK Space Industry and is focused on driving the sector’s commercial growth. Our work is organised around three missions – Autonomous and Connected Earth (ACE), Sustainable Earth, and Beyond Earth – that concentrate our activities on the areas where we can deliver greatest impact. We help businesses realise their potential, those developing and providing space infrastructure, and those developing applications that rely on it.
Reporting to: Mission Lead
Base: Harwell
Catapult has a twin role, operating as a neutral convener bringing projects, programmes and commercial opportunities to companies in the space sector, and bringing space companies and capabilities to the attention of funders and commercial partners. We also use our expertise to deliver key programmes where we see a clear role for us to play.
Mission Manager Responsibilities
- Lead an Intervention portfolio – own direction, delivery plan and performance of an Intervention within the ACE Mission, ensuring activities are prioritised and aligned to mission objectives and organisational strategy.
- Drive commercial outcomes through others – be accountable for ensuring industry opportunities progress into funded programmes and contracted delivery, working through Business Development and delivery teams.
- Mobilise cross-functional delivery – bring together the right expertise from across the Catapult (technical, commercial, programme delivery, business growth, Partnerships, Policy and Place, and operations) to execute the Intervention plan at pace, ensuring the organisation delivers as one team.
- Hold stakeholders to account – lead through influence, setting clear expectations, success measures and timelines across the matrix team; intervene early when delivery is at risk and act as an escalation point to remove blockers and resolve issues.
- Design, adapt and improve – continuously assess whether activities remain the best route to mission outcomes, anticipate risks and constraints, and adapt plans as required; capture learning and embed improvements to increase effectiveness, repeatability and impact.
- Own portfolio control (budget + trade‑offs) – own portfolio control for the Intervention, including budget oversight, forecasting and prioritisation against expected impact with delivery staying within agreed financial limits and clear governance.
- Build the ecosystem and enable adoption – develop and maintain strong relationships across industry, government and research partners, ensuring Catapult is positioned as a credible delivery partner and that the Intervention supports real‑world adoption.
- Report and evidence impact – provide clear reporting against the Grant Work Programme and wider Catapult workplan, evidencing progress, outcomes and lessons learned, and demonstrating contribution to mission KPIs and organisational priorities.
Skills & Experience Required
- Extensive experience of strategic planning and workstream delivery.
- Strong stakeholder management and demonstrable success of delivering through others.
- Commercial and analytical mindset, with the ability to support the development of key commercial opportunities that deliver on the Catapult’s purpose.
- Strong technical breadth in related technologies and/or adjacent end‑user sectors with the ability to build rapid credibility in Universal Connectivity technologies and stakeholders.
- Experience in creating high performing, cross‑departmental, multi‑disciplinary teams without formal authority but with involvement.
- Building effective partnerships, engaging and inspiring both internal and external stakeholders in your own style.
- Experience or ability to push conventional boundaries to create greater impact.
- Expert influencer with ability to rapidly change and adapt as needed.
- Aspirational thinker but pragmatic when required.
About Us & How We Work
We strive to create a high trust, high performance and inclusive environment that enables team members to bring their whole selves to work. This helps to create the foundations of an innovation culture. Our shared values are:
- We care – for our people, our partners and our planet.
- We connect – and engage with people and ideas.
- We learn – and grow, as people and as an industry.
Underpinning this is our belief in great teams. Our collective effort will always deliver outcomes beyond that of any individual, providing we are honest through debate, experiment, and reflection, and create shared resolutions in support of our purpose. Live these values, work to our principles, take ownership to deliver, and you will thrive with us.
Additional Information
This job description sets out the skills and experience we think are needed to perform in this role. If you believe you can deliver, we want to hear from you. We offer a hybrid policy designed around collaboration: one 'anchor' day per week with your direct team and another flexible day per week for collaboration or working with other colleagues.
Important notice for applicants: Tools are used to detect plagiarism and the use of AI or chatbots. If these are found in your application, you will not be considered for this or future roles. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce. Due to legal and logistical considerations, we will only be able to sponsor visas on a case‑by‑case basis, depending on the level of interest for the role and salary level. If you need additional support during the application process, please reach out and connect. We also invite you to share feedback via Applied. We offer study support (at discretion) and on‑the‑job training will be provided.
Mission Manager - Universal Connectivity in Harwell employer: Satellite Applications Catapult
Contact Detail:
Satellite Applications Catapult Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Mission Manager - Universal Connectivity in Harwell
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the space industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that Mission Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in strategic planning and stakeholder management. Use real examples to demonstrate how you've driven commercial outcomes and mobilised teams in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a project or initiative that aligns with your skills, don’t wait for them to come to you. Reach out and express your interest. Show them how you can contribute to their mission and help drive their objectives forward.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at the Catapult. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Mission Manager - Universal Connectivity in Harwell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your unique experiences and perspectives that align with our values.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Mission Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in strategic planning and stakeholder management, and show us how you can drive commercial outcomes in the space sector.
Showcase Your Impact: We love seeing how you've made a difference in previous roles. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver results, especially in complex environments.
Follow Our Application Process: To make things easier for both of us, apply directly through our website. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you can keep track of your progress!
How to prepare for a job interview at Satellite Applications Catapult
✨Know Your Mission
Before the interview, dive deep into the Satellite Applications Catapult's missions, especially the Autonomous and Connected Earth (ACE) mission. Understand how your skills align with their objectives and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in managing stakeholders effectively. Think of situations where you've influenced others or led cross-functional teams without formal authority, as this is crucial for the Mission Manager role.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Brush up on your commercial mindset and analytical skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've identified and developed commercial opportunities in previous roles, and how you can apply that to drive outcomes at the Catapult.
✨Emphasise Adaptability and Learning
The Catapult values innovation and adaptability. Share instances where you've had to pivot your approach based on new information or challenges. Highlight your commitment to continuous learning and improvement, which aligns with their culture.
