Venture Deployment Manager

Status Permanent /Full-time preferable (requests for part-time/flexible working arrangements are welcome)

About Us Energy Systems Catapult is an independent research and technology organisation. Our mission is to accelerate Net Zero energy innovation.

Launched in 2015 by Innovate UK, the Catapult has built a team of more than 250 people, with a range of technical, engineering, consumer, commercial, incubation, digital and policy expertise. They draw on sector leading test facilities, modelling tools, and data collected from our back catalogue of more than 500 research projects.

We use that 'whole energy' system capability to support innovative companies small and large - to test, trial and scale their new products and services. Our impact comes when those innovators attract new customers, new investment and new grants so they can thrive in the future energy system.

Based in Birmingham, Energy Systems Catapult is part of a network of nine, world leading technology and innovation centres, established by Innovate UK. The Catapult Network fosters collaboration between industry, government, research organisations, academia, and many others to transform great ideas into valuable products and services.

We believe that innovation often stems from connecting different areas and ideas, and that working together in person can be an important enabler for that. We therefore expect people to be in the Birmingham office 40 days/year (roughly one day per week).

Context The Catapult's Energy Launchpad Team (ELP) has been established to support UK innovators by helping them understand and navigate the energy transformation systemic barriers both domestically and overseas. It supports innovators to open routes to market both domestically and overseas, whilst helping them to tackle business growth challenges. We do this by applying ESC's own capabilities to help SMEs address systemic barriers for energy innovation, in combination with tailored business growth support, and networking and opportunities to access and engage with the market. We also offer access to a broad network of existing incubators, accelerators and external support initiatives, both in the UK and in target countries abroad. Internationally, we aim to connect UK innovators to overseas markets and opportunities and to support inward investment in the UK energy innovation sector. As well as this, we aim to share UK experience and best practice to support overseas organisations and countries in their transition to low carbon pathways.

The ELP model is a 2-tiered platform that takes the SME on a journey through Network support, Incubation and Acceleration:

• Venture Development - tailored business support for selected SMEs utilising ESC assets, technical and market expertise, and delivery of partner offerings, at all stages of the innovator journey. This function includes our Network Team - standardised offerings accessible by all Innovators (not just SMEs), including sign posting to ESC partner relationships and the wider eco system
• Venture Deployment - working with partners in the energy sector to support them with accessing world class innovative solutions, including overcoming procurement and supply chain barriers, supporting successful trial activities with SMEs and managing our investor network

The Catapult's Energy Launchpad Team will source solution providers for incubation and acceleration support, manage relationships with SMEs, carry out needs analysis, including scoping and coordination of support tasks. They will manage the engagement of internal stakeholders (including technical and market expertise) as well as external sub contract resource from ELP & International partners.

Purpose of Role The Venture Deployment Manager is responsible for stimulating market adoption and de risking the deployment of innovative energy technologies and business models by working with partners, internal platforms, and industry stakeholders. This role is critical in translating SME innovations into deployed solutions that address energy system needs, helping ESC deliver tangible progress towards national objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of demand focused deployment and acceleration programmes, ensuring alignment with the needs and objectives of industry partners, investors, regulators, and government agencies.
• Build and manage relationships with system actors (e.g., network operators, local authorities, regulators, investors, and ESC platforms) to define, articulate, and co develop challenge statements for technology adoption.
• Select and onboard cohorts of SMEs and solution providers for market trials, supporting the design, piloting, and scaled adoption of new solutions that meet partner challenges and system needs.
• Facilitate the creation and documentation of trial proposals, ensuring robust wrap around support leveraging ESC's technical and market expertise, and coordinating with Venture Development to maximize successful deployment.
• Develop, standardize, and manage frameworks for procurement, evidence generation, and innovation supply chain processes to streamline partner adoption with post programme confidence.
• Grow and steward investor networks, promote financing opportunities for deployed innovations, and lead engagement with investor and industry communities at strategic events.
• Collaborate across internal teams to gather and share platform intelligence, inform scouting, and ensure tailored business support and stakeholder engagement activities are strategically planned and executed.
• Capture, monitor, and report on deployment impact metrics, such as contracts secured, investments leveraged, emissions reduced, cost savings, and replicable models created, demonstrating progress toward net zero and industrial strategy objectives.
• Deliver presentations, workshops, and participate in Demo Days to showcase deployment case studies and success stories to external stakeholders, strengthening ESC's profile and position in the innovation ecosystem.
• Maintain active alumni and partner engagement, supporting ongoing scaling and regional impact across the energy transition landscape.

Skills & Experience

• Proven track record in deploying innovative technology or service solutions in the energy or clean tech sector; direct or extensive experience working with energy SMEs at scale up stages is highly desirable, particularly within homes, buildings, construction, and supporting innovators with international scaling.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, especially in building trust and collaboration with industry, investors, government, and technical experts.
• Deep understanding of market needs, procurement and supply chain processes, and the barriers to large scale deployment in energy systems.
• Experience designing, delivering, and measuring impact for trial or pilot initiatives, including management of support resources and consortium partners.
• Knowledge of common challenges in commercializing energy technologies, and strong ability to transform market intelligence into actionable pathways for adoption.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem solving skills with familiarity in structuring frameworks and reporting metrics for deployment impact.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, confident public speaking and facilitation at workshops and industry events.
• Resilience, adaptability, and a proactive, solution oriented mindset in a rapidly evolving environment.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a relevant field.

Employee Benefits Annual leave 28 days plus bank holidays (FTE) + Buy/Sell holidays Buy/sell holiday - maximum 1 week based on contracted hours + Pension 2 for 1 contribution via salary sacrifice scheme up to 10% + Discretionary bonus scheme + Recognition scheme to celebrate "above and beyond"+ EV Scheme Salary sacrifice + Cycle2work Salary sacrifice + Life assurance 4 x salary + Health Cash Back Plan + Retail and gym discounts + Employee Assistance Programme 24/7 phoneline and 6 free counselling sessions + Snacks and drinks + Annual company off site event.

Flexible working options for eligible employees Flexible working options for eligible employees = (Sabbatical/Compressed/Staggered/Flexible hours) + Working within a hybrid office attendance model with the expectation of being in the office at least 1 day a week + and:

Maternity Leave Maternity Leave = (100% 13 weeks / 50% 13 weeks/SP 13 weeks/Unpaid leave for 13 weeks)

Adoption Leave Adoption Leave = (100% 13 weeks/50% 13 weeks/SP 13 weeks/Unpaid leave for 13 weeks)

Paternity Leave Paternity Leave = (100% 2 weeks)

Shared Parental Leave Shared Parental Leave = (100% 10 weeks/50% 13 weeks/SP 13 weeks)

Would you like to Apply? The closing date for applications is Sunday 16th November 2025

Please note that at this time we are unable to provide UK visa sponsorship.

We welcome applications from all, including those who may be returning to work, those wishing to work flexibly for any reason, and those who may need additional support.

Energy Systems Catapult undertakes innovative and exciting work that will help shape the future of energy, with this in mind we encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible, as we do reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

(Strictly No Agencies).
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