Director Strategic Partnerships – CR&D

Digicatapult

Purpose of the role

Seeking a proactive and visionary Director of Collaborative Research and Development who will be responsible for leading strategic oversight and driving the qualitative enhancement of our bidding processes in support of our growth strategy in the identified capability areas we would like to continue to build. The ideal candidate will leverage their deep understanding of both research and development sectors, the funding landscape and their existing relationships to foster fruitful collaborations and partnerships. They will be instrumental in refining our bidding quality, identifying and mitigating risks, and crafting effective strategies that advance our mission. This role requires an innovative leader with a keen eye for detail, a strong commitment to quality assurance, and the ability to translate complex R&D objectives into actionable, winning bids. You will lead a team of Collaborative R&D experts and play a key role in the Business Development management team.

The purpose of the Director of Strategic Partnerships Collaborative R&D is threefold:

• lead strategic alignment between the Digital Catapult 5 year plan and the public funding opportunities that build DC capabilities in the UK and internationally;
• lead the engagement and own relationships with Funders, Industry and Academia that lead to DC growth and revenue generation;
• provide strategic direction and best practice for the public funding submissions and continue to develop expertise within the CR&D team.

Key responsibilities & expected deliverables

• Advise on, own and develop (write) strategic large scale bids that meet the funders requirements.
• Responsible for taking charge and shaping the development of strategic, large-scale bids. This involves fully comprehending funders’ requirements, designing and writing bids that accurately reflect those needs, and presenting our organisation’s goals in a compelling manner. The role requires an individual with the capability to drive the entire bid creation process, from initial strategy formulation to the final written submission, ensuring each bid is tailored to meet the specific requirements of the funding source and ultimately enhances our chances of success.
• Assess and review the leads generated across Digital Catapult that target public funding sources, acting as gate reviewer and approval of maturing them to proposals for submissions to external funders.
• Drive positive strategic account relationships with new and existing public funders and key collaborators aimed at retaining and growing Digital Catapult’s income over several years.
• Actively contribute in working groups related to Digital Catapult domain of current and future development, for example Cross Catapult working groups, international associations DC has membership (EARTO, AIRTO, DAIRO), key academic stakeholders or emerging groups from national and international funders.
• Support on communicating Digital Catapult’s strategy and interests by participating and presenting at key industry and funding events. Inform Business Development team and relevant teams across DC (CTO, PMO, Innovation Practice, Strategic External Affairs etc) of upcoming events, opportunities and engage participation from across the business in line with having best representation and outcome for Digital Catapult.
• Lead the Collaborative R&D team, ensuring a positive, open and engaging culture, acting as a coach / mentor and supporting the development of the team’s knowledge and expertise.
• Align with the Industry Engagement Director on the key industry partners needs to surface them to public funders. Work collaboratively to integrate the industrial R&D maps of commercial partners with investments from the UK Government. This will contribute to more industry co-investment in R&D and help us in our outputs and outcomes core targets with Innovate UK.
• Collaborate with BD Market Value Propositions to review strategic proposals to public funding bodies prior to submission to ensure they are in line with the funder’s requirements and there is quality of output.
• Work closely with the BD Operations team to communicate any new legal and framework requirements coming out of public funders that will impact on our contracting timelines and advise on best practices or emerging templates that will need to be produced by Digital Catapult.

Closing date for applications: 13th October 2023

• Excellent understanding of the national (DSIT, DESNEZ, UKRI, etc.), regional (LEPs, CA) and international funding landscape (European funds, emerging funders and donors), structures and mechanisms (including eligibility and legal requirements).
• Track record in influencing and contributing to policy and funding framework position papers that lead to large public investment in innovation, particularly in digital transformation.
• Track record of leading & securing large contract R&D deals and large collaborative R&D projects (over £20M worth/each)
• Previous experience in Governance and Working Groups in Public and Private Funding settings that oversee major innovation and research infrastructure, business support and innovation Investments.
• Ability to have both strategic and tactical approaches to different stakeholder groups, where conflicting outcomes need to be aligned.
• Experience with R&D and innovation, in particular the ability and instinct for directing the development of novel ideas with customers/users/technology providers.
• Breadth of understanding of advanced digital technologies (5G, AI, DLT, IoT, XR, Quantum), emerging trends in virtualisation, supply chains and interoperable networking and the ability to advise on upcoming investments in them.
• Experience in the design of digital transformation programmes in any of the following sub-sectors: Energy & Utilities, Transport, logistics & infrastructure (focus on Rail), Creative Industries, Defence & Security, Telecommunications.

• 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;
• 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;
• 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 2-3 days per week;
• Investment in your ongoing learning and development with us;
• Company social events throughout the year and free office snacks!