At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative product development and manage multidisciplinary teams to deliver impactful solutions.
- Company: Global engineering leader focused on cutting-edge technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and the chance to shape future technologies.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career growth in a highly regulated industry.
- Why this job: Drive innovation in a dynamic environment and make a real difference globally.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in NPD and strong project management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56290 - 68798 £ per year.
A leading global engineering organisation is seeking a Head of New Product Development to take ownership of a strategically critical innovation portfolio. This is a senior leadership opportunity to shape future product capability, drive cutting-edge development, and deliver impactful solutions to a global customer base.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Engineering & Innovation Director, this role sits within the global engineering leadership team and is responsible for the successful delivery of the NPD portfolio. You will lead multidisciplinary teams across engineering, product, and operations, ensuring that complex programmes are delivered effectively and aligned to business objectives. This role also involves close engagement with customers to ensure new products meet evolving market needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the New Product Development portfolio, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with business objectives.
- Develop and maintain the NPD roadmap, supporting future capability development and innovation strategy.
- Provide leadership and oversight to project managers, lead engineers, and integrated project teams.
- Drive accountability across project teams, ensuring effective delivery, governance, and risk management.
- Ensure compliance with engineering processes, stage-gate reviews, safety requirements, regulatory standards, export controls, and cybersecurity protocols.
- Monitor portfolio performance, including delivery timelines, cost performance, and capability maturity KPIs.
- Champion continuous improvement across NPD processes through lean, agile, and systems engineering methodologies.
- Collaborate with product, engineering, operations, and customer-facing teams to ensure solutions meet evolving customer requirements.
- Support the adoption of emerging technologies, including AI, autonomous systems, and advanced materials, within future product development.
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience leading New Product Development, R&D, or innovation programmes within a complex engineering environment.
- Strong leadership experience within technical or engineering teams, with the ability to influence across multiple functions.
- Demonstrable experience delivering complex projects from concept through to implementation.
- Commercially aware with the ability to balance innovation, customer requirements, and business objectives.
- Experienced in project governance, compliance, and structured delivery methodologies.
- Strong stakeholder management, communication, and presentation skills.
- Degree qualified in Engineering or a related discipline.
- Experience within highly regulated industries would be advantageous (e.g. Aerospace, Defence, Marine & Subsea Engineering, Energy & Renewables, Medical Devices - will also consider other highly regulated industries).
This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-impact innovation function within a global environment, driving the development of advanced technologies and future-focused solutions.
For more information or a confidential discussion, please get in touch with Diane Smedley-Nisbet at or call me on 07707 726905.
Head of NPD in London employer: All The Top Bananas
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of NPD in London
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Head of NPD role you’re after at All The Top Bananas.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at All The Top Bananas a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at All The Top Bananas.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Head of NPD at All The Top Bananas, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of NPD in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Head of NPD, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at All The Top Bananas a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to All The Top Bananas specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with All The Top Bananas, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like All The Top Bananas want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
