Summary
Digital Catapult is a part government funded not for profit, that is responsible for accelerating the early adoption of advanced digital technologies (AI, Immersive Technologies, 5G, Blockchain, Virtual & Augmented Reality) in the UK.
This Programme Lead for Policy, Research and Engagement will be primarily responsible for and lead the design and delivery of Digital Catapult’s SONIC programme’s strategic engagement workstream, undertaking a range of activities including (1) Leading non commercial strategic engagement strategy development and implementation with technology experts. (2) Leading market research and scoping reports for SONIC and other relevant programmes at Digital Catapult where suitable, this will include the managing and writing of reports (long and short form) for effective delivery of projects; (3) Preparation of policy and strategic engagement documents including summaries, briefings and policy proposals where relevant to SONIC and other relevant areas of the business. (4) Strategic Engagement with relevant strategic partners, including industry, policy makers and innovators. This will include network building with a particular focus on telecommunications innovation. Your role will span project delivery, primarily focused on our upcoming SONIC programme, market research and innovation engagement activities.
What You’ll Do
- Strategic Engagement - Developing the plan for strategic engagement for SONIC and potentially other programmes in the future - with a focus on key national and international organisations, innovators and companies who may be working in or interested in working in emerging technologies and advanced networks such as OpenRAN. This may also be extended into other areas of strategic engagement with time across our technology areas, to explore where key strategic non commercial partnerships can be established
- Market Research - Responsible for coordinating / leading scoping, researching and writing market research reports in technology areas such as AI, Immersive Technologies, 5G, Virtual & Augmented Reality, Blockchain and the internet of things. This will be particularly focused on Open RAN and other areas relevant to 5G and digital infrastructure, but may also include exploration of sustainability and climate change challenges, responsible technology adoption, industrial net zero and the creative industries. This includes engagement, identifying and mapping of barriers and opportunities for emerging technology companies and telecom operators and innovators for specific projects and programmes
- Preparation of policy documents - Preparation of policy documents that include briefings and summaries for internal and external stakeholders (e.g. for ministerial speeches, for government strategy documents, relevant evidence sessions from select committees in the House of Commons and House of Lords etc.). Also feeding into project and programme design that may form into policy proposals to internal and external stakeholders
- Engagement with relevant policy makers in departments in Government and the broader innovation ecosystem - building a network and engaging with various policymakers in departments such as DCMS, BEIS, DEFRA, FCDO & DIT and key organisations such as Ofcom, CBI, Royal Academy for Engineering, techUK and others). This spans areas including but not limited to the Office for AI, Emerging Technologies and 5G Testbeds and Trials with the goal of understanding how government policy, national innovation activities and strategic industry papers are being developed - along with securing non-commercial partners for programmes and projects
What We’re Looking For
- Previous experience in market research, technology policy, and/or relevant strategic engagement activities in the technology sector
- Knowledge and interest in current emerging technology trends, with an understanding around the key government, public and private sector institutions that shape emerging technology policy in our technology areas (e.g. 5G, IoT, AI/ML, VR/AR, Blockchain etc.). Ideally this will include experience and understanding of telecommunications and 5G but is not essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication and analytical skills including the ability to translate complex material into clear and concise internal and external documents
- Strong team working and collaborative skills
- Self-motivated and entrepreneurial with the ability to work flexibly, identify opportunities, suggest interventions and use your own initiative when necessary
- Able to work in a busy environment and capable of managing and developing multiple tasks and objectives, often to tight timescales
- Strong IT and online media / document design and data analysis skills
