Director of Emerging Technology Delivery
Location: Emersons Green, Bristol, BS16 7FS
Hybrid Working: 2 days on site, 3 days homeworking
Salary: £83,693 to £107,061 per annum, experience dependent + 12.5% employer pension + Package
Security Clearance: Employment is subject to a high level of government security clearance due to the nature of our business.
Closing Date: 16th January 2026 – We reserve the right to close this advert early if required.
Quote: We’re looking for a leader and a visionary, not a day-to-day manager – quote from the CTO.
We’re a national R&D centre – government‑backed, not‑for‑profit, and mission‑driven. We work across 16 sectors and with over 100 partners a year. Our people deliver outcomes that matter, and you’ll be involved in how we support, retain and grow them.
Supporting the development of new and emerging technologies within the Defence sector is critical to UK business and defence initiatives. As our work grows, we have many other UK defence companies that we can expand to support.
This is an exciting role, offering you the opportunity to partially shape the focus and drive the business to achieve.
Reporting to the Chief Technology Officer, you’ll focus on these areas:
* Acting as a visionary leader investigating emerging technology markets and how we can contribute for the benefit of the UK.
* Overseeing our large‑scale technology in defence programmes of work.
* Developing and supporting the NCC’s adoption of further agile/matrix managed project methodologies.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, have good knowledge of relevant emerging technology developments, and the ability to proactively develop and unlock opportunities.
A customer‑focused approach is essential, as is the ability to work in lockstep with government, industry and academia to deliver even greater impact for the UK.
Specific activities could include:
* Setting strategic direction for delivery aspects of technical programmes, taking a partnership approach with clients to accelerate and drive business growth through a portfolio of technology, capability and service offerings.
* Developing a network of senior leaders across innovation, industry, professional services and allied organisations and networks.
* Line management of 3 “head of” level staff and wider responsibility for a department of approximately 40 people.
* Managing budgets, with individual projects ranging from £10 to £100 million.
* Raising NCC’s profile across the stakeholder landscape to ensure its capabilities and expertise are known and understood.
* Expanding NCC’s portfolio of innovative partnership constructs and commercial offerings, informed by latest external analysis and market insight.
* Representing NCC on relevant business and industry initiatives and networks and informing organisational thought leadership.
* Working collaboratively with NCC Directors and teams to inform the development and delivery of impactful, targeted, and customer‑focused external sector campaigns that grow the business and expand its customer pipeline.
* Being committed to developing the talents of the wider organisation.
* Leading day‑to‑day activities, while driving forward high‑priority projects and securing public and private sector funding to deliver them.
What we’re looking for in your application:
* Experience working at Director level, or a very senior “head of” ready to make the move into directorship.
* In‑depth and excellent knowledge of emerging technologies relevant to the manufacturing or defence industries.
* Technology or digital transformation experience, including having developed new target operating models and supported business culture change.
* Successful history overseeing large scale and complex technical projects.
* Defence or manufacturing industry experience, ideally both.
* Willingness and ability to undertake a high level of government security clearance.
* A track record of strong leadership, delivering through others in a matrix organisation and developing high‑performing teams.
* Successful history running projects and good programme management skills, ideally in Agile or Waterfall methods.
* Desirable: Experience of supporting companies to grow and scale through developing or delivering business growth interventions.
* Desirable: Exposure to Engineering, Aerospace, Marine, Nuclear, Space or Quantum industries.
What we offer:
* 12.5% employer pension contribution.
* Private medical cover.
* Flexible and hybrid working as standard.
* Clear routes to grow your skills and influence.
* A team that gets things done without the drama.
Not sure if it’s a fit? Question on the salary or benefits? Happy to have a quick chat first – please reach out to Jon.Barratt@nccuk.com or via LinkedIn. Know someone who might be right? Tag or share them with us.
Why NCC?
What We Do
We help manufacturers take on bigger challenges – whether that’s building cleaner aircraft, scaling up offshore wind, or strengthening the UK’s supply chains. We deliver practical outcomes, not prototypes that sit on shelves.
Who We Work With
We work across 16 sectors, from defence and energy to infrastructure and space. Some projects are with global tier 1s, others with small UK firms solving one specific problem – the work is always varied and always real.
What It’s Like Here
We’re not a startup. We’re not a corporate. We’re a national centre with the kit, time and people to do the job properly. The teams are focused, the thinking is sharp, and you’ll be trusted to get on with it.
Why this job matters
This role isn’t just internal support – it’s part of how we deliver nationally important work. If we do our job right, UK manufacturers can do theirs better.
Seniority level
* Director
Employment type
* Full‑time
Job function
* Engineering and Information Technology
Industry
* Research Services
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