Director of Technology - AI

Digital Catapult is a technology innovation organisation. We accelerate the practical application of deep technologies to equip the UK to be future ready.

We partner with businesses, investors and academia to identify valuable opportunities and create market pathways, ensuring the UK is future ready, supporting economic growth. Digital Catapult helps deep tech businesses grow by showing what is possible, positive and productive with advanced technology including AI, Quantum, Advanced Connectivity Technologies, IoT, Immersive and distributed ledger technologies.

AI is one of the defining technologies of our age, a key part of the Digital Catapult strategy, and a great opportunity for the economy of the UK, with the thriving research and innovation ecosystem.

Reporting to the CTO, the Director of Technology AI will play a critical role in leading the AI portfolio of work, defining and driving the technology roadmap for AI and related areas, creating and delivering collaborative research, development and technology translation programmes with university and industry partners and innovators.

The role provides an opportunity to both investigate new and emerging AI technologies with academia and innovators, and also experiment with more practical adoption with end users and industry. To both experiment with new capabilities and understand the practical implications and limitations of AI technology and feed that back to the UK ecosystem, and policy makers. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO (Duties)

• Be a collaborative and ambitious leader and expert in AI across Digital Catapult. 
• Direct and enable a high quality programme of research and development in AI, securing funding via R&D projects and supporting commercial opportunities. 
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including innovators, startups and scaleups, government, academic institutions, industry partners, building a productive network in support of our research ambitions and goals. Represent Digital Catapult at industry events, conferences, and public engagements. 
• Be part of the Technology Research, Development and Innovation leadership team, overseeing the execution and evaluation of activities in programmes, projects and technology exploitation 
• Lead and mentor a diverse team, coach and guide immediate reports, and the AI related team members across the wider organisation, building capability in AI 
• Supervise and deliver horizon scanning, developing the technology roadmap and plans in AI and related areas, supporting other teams to enable their areas to be similarly well defined in relation to AI. 

Requirements

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR (Experience) 

• A visible and respected leader within AI, with a proven ability to represent an organisation through thought leadership, publications, conferences and industry events. Track record of building strategic partnerships across academia, industry and government. 
• Demonstrable experience defining and delivering technology strategy, horizon scanning, roadmaps and research agendas.
• Strong understanding of contemporary AI technologies, including agentic AI, AI assurance, neuro-symbolic AI, post-LLM approaches. 
• Experience securing collaborative research and innovation funding, including grant-funded programmes. Strong commercial awareness with experience identifying opportunities for technology translation and future commercialisation. 
• Significant experience leading technology research, development and innovation programmes in AI, and leading multi-disciplinary technical teams within a research, innovation, technology or R&D environment.
• Track record in building teams and AI capability, promoting a culture of learning, excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement, and supporting early stage careers. 

Location(s): This role can be based out of any of our offices: London, Belfast and Bristol.

Salary: c. £110,000-130,000 pa (subject to experience) + discretionary bonus + competitive benefits package

Deadline for applications: Thursday August 6, 3 pm BST (we do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so you are encouraged to submit your application at the earliest opportunity)

Start date: We are seeking a start date ideally in September / October 2026

Like the sound of what we do but unsure if this is the right role for you? If you are interested in joining Digital Catapult and hearing about our latest vacancies, please email across your CV to  View email address on apply.workable.com

Pre-Employment Background Checking Process   

Due to the nature of our work across government and public sector contracts, including working with sensitive information, all applicants will need to successfully complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance process prior to starting employment. 

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!

We have a vibrant and engaging culture where all voices are heard and a variety of employee led affinity groups who champion initiatives and provide opportunities for feedback to be shared.

We use moments in the year to educate everyone at Digital Catapult on different aspects of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and to raise awareness.

We also enjoy socialising and having fun together through a variety of company-wide events held throughout the year including our football team, running and climbing groups and volunteering activities.