Principal Lead for Innovation Policy & External Affairs - Northern Ireland

The Principal Lead for Innovation Policy & External Affairs at Digital Catapult will primarily focus on enhancing deep tech innovation in Northern Ireland. This includes leading strategic policy engagement, developing stakeholder relationships, and aligning with national initiatives. A significant part of the role is to actively engage with government departments like the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy and Innovate UK, all while producing thought leadership content in areas like AI and Digital Twins.

To qualify for the Principal Lead for Innovation Policy & External Affairs at Digital Catapult, candidates should have substantial experience in government engagement and innovation policy, specifically related to digital and emerging technologies. Proven ability to design policy interventions and a solid understanding of the adoption challenges for these technologies in the UK and Northern Ireland are crucial.

The Principal Lead for Innovation Policy & External Affairs is vital to Digital Catapult's mission as they establish partnerships and develop policies that will influence the UK's deep tech landscape. They ensure that the UK Digital Twin Centre of Excellence meets its strategic goals while impacting public and private innovation ecosystems, ultimately supporting advancements in research and development.

The stakeholder engagement approach for the Principal Lead role involves designing a robust structure for engaging with key stakeholders in Northern Ireland’s innovation space. It includes managing innovation working groups, facilitating consistent communication, and building trusted relationships across government, industry, and academia, which enable collaboration on policy and innovation initiatives.

Digital Catapult is a recognized leader in innovation, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritizes inclusivity and diversity. Employees enjoy a range of benefits, including flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities, and a strong commitment to staff well-being. Being part of a team that celebrates innovation and engagement makes Digital Catapult an exciting place to work.

When answering this question, highlight specific instances where you engaged with government bodies, detailing the outcomes. Discuss your approach to building relationships, understanding governmental priorities, and how you translated these into actionable policies that benefited both the technology sector and government initiatives.

Articulate your understanding of the barriers to technology adoption, such as regulatory hurdles or public skepticism. Provide examples of how addressing these challenges can lead to better integration of technologies like AI and Digital Twins, and demonstrate your ability to propose strategic solutions.

Discuss your method for identifying and categorizing stakeholders, outlining how you prioritize their needs and concerns. Emphasize the importance of active listening, transparency, and regular communication in managing relationships effectively.

Be specific and concise when discussing a policy intervention. Cover the problem it addressed, your thought process in developing it, and the measurable impact it had on the technology sector or the public interest. Highlight collaboration with stakeholders during the development.

Outline your plan for producing impactful thought leadership, such as conducting comprehensive research and engaging experts in discussions. Discuss how you would identify relevant topics and how you would ensure the output resonates with both governmental and industry audiences.

Show your knowledge of Digital Twins by discussing their potential applications across various industries. Explain how they can drive efficiencies and insights, and share any relevant experiences you have had with this technology.

Describe specific KPIs or metrics that you consider critical for evaluating the performance of innovation initiatives. Discuss how you can use qualitative and quantitative data to assess progress and steer necessary adjustments.

Emphasize your networking skills and experience. Discuss strategies such as hosting collaborative workshops, initiating joint projects, or aligning interests that can foster productive partnerships between the public and private sectors for mutual innovation goals.

Highlight the importance of clear and effective communication tailored to diverse audiences. Discuss your experience in drafting reports, presenting ideas persuasively, and engaging with various stakeholders through different mediums.

Demonstrate your strategic thinking by discussing how you would analyze existing national initiatives, pinpoint areas of synergy, and develop collaborative roadmaps that benefit both the Digital Twin Centre and national efforts.