Are you the right candidate for this opportunity Make sure to read the full description below.
Dementia is the UKs biggest killer. Almost one million people are living with dementia today. This is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a life that matters.
At Alzheimers Society, we are working to change this. We are committed to ending the devastation caused by dementia. Could innovation be part of the answer?
Innovation turns ideas into real change. It takes research out of reports and into everyday life. Through our Innovation Programme, we work with entrepreneurs, researchers, clinicians, and people affected by dementia. Together, we develop and scale new ideas. So far, we have supported over 60 innovations, reaching more than 1.5 million people and helping partners secure over £13.5 million in follow-on funding.
What could you help make possible?
As Innovation Assistant, you will help make this work happen. You will report to a Senior Innovator and join a small, supportive Innovation team within Research and Innovation. Your role is to keep things running smoothly day to day. You will support events, relationships, and ensure the detail behind our work is clear, accurate, and organised.
Dementia devastates lives. Could your work help change that?
What youll do
You will help hold the moving parts together so the team can focus on impact. What does that look like in practice?
You will:
- Help our innovation community stay connected across programmes, events, workshops, and showcases
- Support planning and delivery of events such as workshops, conferences, and meetings. What needs to be ready on the day?
- Provide day-to-day admin support, including inbox management, meeting scheduling, agendas, action tracking, and keeping records in order
- Keep stakeholder information accurate and up to date so others can rely on it
- Help prepare presentations, reports, and materials that make ideas easy to understand
- Support financial processes, including invoices, budget tracking, and clear record keeping
We are looking for someone organised, curious, and comfortable working across different tasks and teams. You do not need to have done everything before. Can you learn quickly and adapt when priorities change?
We welcome applications from people who may not meet every requirement but are keen to grow into the role.
You might enjoy this role if you:
- Can work across teams to support complex projects, helping bring structure to competing priorities
- Are comfortable with data and digital systems, or willing to learn. How confident are you with IT tools?
- Have supported events in some way, such as planning, coordination, logistics, budgeting, or engagement
- Are a collaborative team player who supports others and shares workloads when things get busy
- Can work at pace in a complex environment, staying calm and organised when priorities shift
Interviews are provisionally scheduled to take place on Friday 17th July via MS Teams.
About Alzheimer's Society
Dementia is the UK's biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.
At Alzheimer's Society, we're the UK's leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding groundbreaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.
Together with our supporters, we're working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.
Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.
Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.
We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society.
Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.
Our hiring process
During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply.Please also contact Alzheimer's Society Talent Acquisition Team via for application support or any adjustments you might need.
To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.
We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.
We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a Criminal Record Check at the relevant level. You can read more information via our Website.
Giving back to you
Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society. xiskglj
You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it's like to be an employee at the Society.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Assistant in York
✨Connect with Innovation Hubs
Dive into local innovation hubs or R&D labs, they’re often bubbling with opportunities for entry-level roles! Attend workshops and events where you can meet folks already in the industry. This face time could lead to that sweet entry-level position at places like Alzheimers Society.
✨Leverage University Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni, tap into your university's career services. They'll have listings for entry-level jobs and internships in innovation and R&D, plus they might host networking events that can connect you to companies like Alzheimers Society.
✨Show Off Your Projects
If you’ve worked on any innovative projects or research during your studies, showcase them! Consider creating a portfolio that highlights your ideas and outcomes. This gives us a solid indication of your potential when applying for that entry-level role.
✨Engage on Professional Platforms
Don’t underestimate the power of professional platforms! Look out for groups focused on innovation management where you can ask questions, share your interests, and even find jobs. Plus, keep an eye on companies like Alzheimers Society to see if they share any job openings or insights.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Creative Spark:In the field of innovation and R&D management, we want to see your ability to think outside the box! Make sure to highlight any projects or ideas you've worked on, even if they're from your studies or personal projects. This will show your potential to bring fresh perspectives to Alzheimers Society.
Tailor Your CV for Impact:Your CV should not just list your qualifications but also showcase your analytical and project management skills, which are crucial in innovation. We recommend including any relevant coursework or research experience, and if you’ve used specific methodologies (like Agile or Design Thinking), make that clear!
Include Relevant Coursework and Projects:As this is an entry-level position, don't hesitate to include details about specific projects, internships, or group work that relate to R&D. This shows us that you’re ready to dive in! Highlight your learning outcomes and how they can apply to the role at Alzheimers Society.
Craft a Motivated Cover Letter:In your cover letter, tell us why you’re excited about the role and why you want to join Alzheimers Society. Focus on what you hope to learn in this entry-level position and how your background makes you a good fit to grow within the company. We want to see your enthusiasm for innovation!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alzheimers Society
✨Know Your Innovation Tools
Get familiar with the tools that drive innovation in R&D, such as agile methodologies, design thinking, or prototyping software. Mention any experience you have with these tools during the interview, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare examples of projects or ideas where you've demonstrated innovative thinking. This could be from university projects or personal initiatives. It's all about illustrating your potential to contribute to exciting R&D at Alzheimers Society.
✨Highlight Your Learning Mindset
As this is an entry-level role, be ready to talk about how you've approached learning new concepts. Whether it was through coursework or self-driven projects, emphasising your eagerness to grow in the field will resonate with interviewers.
✨Anticipate Teamwork Scenarios
Expect questions about how you work within teams, especially in brainstorming sessions or collaborative projects. Sharing experiences where you've contributed to a group dynamic will be beneficial since innovation thrives on collaboration at Alzheimers Society.
