Digital Catapult
Innovation Associate - FTC

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Innovation Associate
As an Innovation Associate, you will work with the Innovation Manager and wider team in delivering innovation programmes and projects. This entry-level position is ideal for those eager to develop their skills in a dynamic, technology-driven environment. You will help implement projects, maintain documentation, support stakeholder engagement, and contribute to the continuous improvement of our innovation initiatives.
WHAT YOU’LL DO (Duties)
- Assist with the delivery and implementation of innovation and acceleration projects, ensuring timelines and quality standards are met.
- Aid with the application of innovation methodologies such as design thinking, lean startup, and agile approaches.
- Help maintain project documentation, databases, and knowledge-sharing platforms.
- Coordinate communication between project stakeholders and internal teams.
- Assist in organising innovation events, workshops, and collaborative initiatives.
- Collect and compile data for project performance metrics and reporting.
- Identify and escalate project risks, aiding the development of mitigation strategies.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR (Experience)
- Ideally educated to a degree level in a relevant field or qualified by experience. An advanced degree or innovation management qualification would be advantageous.
- Familiarity with innovation methodologies such as Design Thinking, Lean Startup and Agile.
- Demonstrable interest in innovation, technology, or digital ecosystems, with relevant experience from academic projects, internships, or personal initiatives.
- Strong relationship-building, problem solving and communication skills, with the confidence / ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
- Previous experience gathering, documenting and maintaining business / project requirements, identifying issues and contributing to the maintenance of project documentation.
- Adaptable, proactive, determined, driven and eager to learn in a fast-paced environment.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Location(s)
This role can be based out of any of our offices: London, Belfast and Bristol.
Deadline for Applications
Thursday, 3rd September 2026
Salary
£30,000-34,000 per annum (pro rata) - subject to skills and experience
Interested in Joining Us?
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 your CV to digital-catapult@jobs.workablemail.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.


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Digital Catapult is an equal opportunities employer. 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.
Benefits
- 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.
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