At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the future of Employee Experience solutions and lead innovative projects.
- Company: Join Aon, a leader in better decision-making for global clients.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work flexibility, competitive salary, and professional growth opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to engage directly with clients.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by innovating employee experiences for diverse clients.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR consulting or related fields; strong problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The Innovation Architect is responsible for shaping and validating the next generation of Employee Experience (EX) solutions and service capabilities for Aon’s clients. The role focuses on identifying emerging client needs, conceiving new concepts, and leading proof‑of‑concept and pilot initiatives that ensure Aon remains ahead of competitors in the EX space.
Working closely with the Innovation Leader, product owners, client teams, and broader business stakeholders, the Innovation Architect will translate market trends, client challenges, and internal ideas into scalable, differentiated offerings aligned to the needs of both single‑country and multi‑country clients.
This is a hybrid position with flexibility to work both remotely and from one of our UK offices.
What The Day Will Look Like
- Innovation Strategy & Concept Development
- Translate Aon’s Employee Experience strategy into a pipeline of innovative service concepts and capabilities.
- Identify and define new EX solutions based on client feedback, market trends, competitor analysis, and internal insights.
- Develop clear value propositions, use cases, and business cases for new concepts, with a focus on differentiation and commercial impact.
- Lead ideation workshops and structured innovation sessions with client teams, product, and operations.
- Proof‑of‑Concepts, Pilots & Validation
- Design and oversee proof‑of‑concept (PoC) and pilot initiatives for new service capabilities, including objectives, success criteria, timelines, and governance.
- Partner with client teams to identify appropriate clients for pilots, setting expectations and feedback mechanisms.
- Evaluate pilot outcomes using qualitative and quantitative data; refine concepts into scalable solutions or discontinue with clear rationale.
- Build and maintain reusable frameworks, playbooks, and toolkits for validating new ideas.
- Product Roadmap & Portfolio Input
- Serve as a key input into the Employee Experience product roadmap, prioritizing concepts based on client demand, strategic fit, feasibility, and ROI.
- Collaborate with product management, technology, and operations to shape requirements, high‑level design, and implementation planning for approved concepts.
- Help maintain a structured portfolio view of innovation initiatives, including status, impact, and dependencies.
- Client Engagement & Co‑Creation
- Engage directly with strategic clients to explore emerging needs and co‑create new concepts and partnership opportunities.
- Support client pitches, proposals, and key pursuits by demonstrating Aon’s innovation agenda and pipeline.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on EX innovation in client meetings, steering groups, and executive updates.
- Best Practice & Capability Building
- Define and continuously refine “what good looks like” for innovative EX solution design and delivery.
- Translate lessons from pilots and innovation initiatives into best‑practice guidance, playbooks, and training materials for client delivery teams.
- Coach and upskill colleagues across Employee Experience on innovation methods, tools, and client‑centric design thinking.
- Governance, Risk & Measurement
- Ensure that innovation initiatives are aligned with Aon’s risk, legal, compliance, and data privacy requirements.
- Develop and track KPIs for innovation efforts.
- Provide regular reporting and insights to the Head of Business Excellence and Innovation Leader on pipeline, progress, and outcomes.
Essential
- Deep experience in Employee Experience, HR consulting, HR technology, rewards, engagement, or a closely related field.
- Proven track record in designing and/or launching new services, products, or capabilities in a B2B or consulting environment.
- Strong understanding of global and local EX trends and the differing needs of single‑country and multi‑country clients.
- Experience running or leading pilots/PoCs, including design, execution, measurement, and iteration.
- Demonstrated strength in structured problem solving and strategic thinking.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leaders and collaborate across functions.
- Strong analytical skills, including comfort with data‑driven decision making and business case development.
- Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
Desirable
- Experience with design thinking, service design, lean experimentation, or agile methodologies.
- Exposure to HR technology platforms, analytics, and digital EX tools.
- Prior experience in a dedicated innovation, strategy, or product role.
- Experience working with global or multi‑country clients and navigating local market nuances.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Business, HR, Behavioral Science, Design, Strategy, or related field.
- Postgraduate qualification (e.g., MBA, MSc) or professional certification in innovation, product management, or design thinking is a plus.
Employee Experience Innovation Architect in Manchester employer: Aon
Aon is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for an Employee Experience Innovation Architect. With a hybrid work model that offers flexibility, employees benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises professional growth and development through coaching and upskilling opportunities. Aon's commitment to shaping better decisions for clients and colleagues alike ensures that you will be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the Employee Experience space.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Experience Innovation Architect in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Tailor your answers to show how you can contribute to their Employee Experience goals. We want to see your passion!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills align with the role of Innovation Architect. Highlight your experience in designing new services and understanding client needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Experience Innovation Architect in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in Employee Experience and innovation. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex challenges in the past. We love candidates who can think strategically and come up with innovative solutions, so let us know how you’ve done this before!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point, making it easy for us to see your potential.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aon
✨Know Your EX Trends
Before the interview, dive deep into current Employee Experience trends. Understand what Aon is doing in this space and how they differentiate themselves. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Innovation Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've led innovation initiatives or proof-of-concept projects in the past. Highlight your structured problem-solving approach and how you've used data to drive decisions. This will demonstrate your fit for the role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've successfully managed stakeholders in previous roles. Be ready to share stories that illustrate your ability to influence senior leaders and collaborate across functions. This is crucial for the Innovation Architect position.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in Aon's innovation strategy and how they engage with clients. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also gives you a chance to assess if the company culture aligns with your values.
