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 businessesinvestorsand academia toidentifyvaluable opportunities and create market pathways ensuring the UK is future ready supporting economic Catapult helps deep techbusinesses grow byshowingwhat is possiblepositiveand productive with advanced technologyincluding 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 anda great opportunityfor the economy of the UK with the thriving research and innovation ecosystem.

Reporting to the CTO the Director of TechnologyAIwill play a critical role inleading the AI portfolio of workdefining and driving the technology roadmapfor AIand related areascreating and delivering collaborative research development and technology translation programmes with university and industry partnersand innovators.

The roleprovidesan opportunityto both investigate new and emerging AI technologieswith academiaandinnovatorsandalso experiment with more practical adoption with end users and industry. To both experiment with new capabilities and understand thepractical implications and limitations ofAItechnology and feed that back to theUK ecosystem and policy makers.

WHAT YOULL DO (Duties)

• Be a collaborativeandambitiousleader and expertin AIacross Digital Catapult.
• Direct and enableahigh qualityprogramme ofresearch anddevelopmentin AI securing funding via R&D projects and supporting commercial opportunities.
• Cultivate andmaintainstrong relationships with key stakeholders including innovators startups and scaleups government academic institutions industry partners buildinga 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 ResearchDevelopmentand Innovation leadership team overseeing the execution and evaluation of activities in programmesprojectsand technology exploitation
• Lead and mentor a diverse teamcoach 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 roadmapandplans inAI and related areas supportingother teams to enable their areas to be similarly well definedin relation to AI.

WHATWERE LOOKING FOR(Experience)

• A visible and respected leader withinAI with a proven ability torepresentan organisation through thought leadership publicationsconferencesand industry recordof building strategic partnerships across academiaindustryand government.
• Demonstrable experience defining and delivering technology strategy horizon scanningroadmapsand research agendas.
• Strong understanding of contemporary AI technologies including agentic AI AI assurance neuro-symbolic AI post-LLM approaches.
• Experience securingcollaborative research and innovation funding including grant-funded commercial awareness with experienceidentifyingopportunities for technology translation and future commercialisation.
• Significant experienceleading technology research development and innovation programmes in AI and leading multi-disciplinary technical teams within a research innovationtechnologyor R&D environment.
• Track recordin building teams and AI capabilitypromoting a culture of learning excellence innovation and continuous improvement and supportingearly stagecareers.

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

Salary: c. 00 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

Pre-Employment Background Checking Process

Due to the nature of our work across government and publicsector contracts includingworking with sensitiveinformation allapplicants will needtosuccessfully complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)clearanceprocess priorto startingemployment.

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.

• We are in the UKs Top 100 Best Workplaces and placed in the UKs Best Workplaces in Tech and Large Organisations.
• Digital Catapult is aDisability 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 heardand 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 groupsand volunteering activities.

Required Experience:

Director