At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovation initiatives and shape Aviva's future growth through creative ideation.
- Company: Join Aviva, a forward-thinking company committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of collaboration and creativity while enjoying excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving innovation in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading innovation programmes and engaging senior stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The Innovation team exists to ensure Aviva is fit for the future by identifying emerging opportunities, building new capability, and embedding a culture of innovation across the organisation.
This is a high-impact leadership role at the heart of Aviva's innovation agenda, responsible for helping the organisation stay fit for the future by identifying emerging opportunities, shaping new growth areas, and embedding a culture of innovation across the business. Reporting to the Group Innovation Director, you'll act as the front door for innovation within Aviva, leading ideation, early-stage exploration, and concept development across major business units and functions. Working closely with senior leaders, strategy teams, and operational stakeholders, you'll translate market trends, customer needs, and strategic priorities into tangible innovation opportunities, new propositions, emerging distribution models, and future-facing capabilities.
You'll champion innovation across the organisation through initiatives such as hackathons, idea campaigns, and structured experimentation, while building a strong pipeline of opportunities that can be progressed through Innovation Delivery, Partnerships, or external innovation channels. Success in this role requires a commercially minded and highly collaborative leader who can navigate ambiguity, influence senior stakeholders, spot opportunities ahead of the market, and turn bold ideas into viable business outcomes that support Aviva's future growth.
Skills and experience we’re looking for:
- Experience leading innovation programmes and culture initiatives
- Understanding of financial services and evolving business models
- Awareness of market trends, customer expectations, and competitor activity
- Demonstrates strong senior-level stakeholder engagement, connecting internal business priorities with external innovation opportunities to deliver strategic value.
- Experience of corporate governance in a large listed and regulated company, understanding the risks faced and the controls required to manage and mitigate those risks, avoiding reputational risk to Aviva
What you’ll get for this role:
- Competitive starting salary
- Bonus opportunity – 25% of annual salary, (actual amount depends on your performance and Aviva’s.)
- Generous pension scheme e.g. if you put in 8%, Aviva adds 14%
- 29 days holiday plus bank holidays, and you can choose to buy or sell up to 5 days
- Aviva-funded Private Medical Benefit to help you get expert support when you need it
- Make your money go further – Up to 40% discount on Aviva products, and other retailer discounts
- Up to £1,200 of free Aviva shares per year through our Matching Share Plan and share in the success of Aviva with our Save As You Earn scheme
- Brilliantly supportive policies including parental and carer’s leave
- Flexible benefits to suit you, including sustainability options such as cycle to work
- Make a difference, be part of our Aviva Communities and use your 3 paid volunteering days to help others
- We take your wellbeing seriously with lots of support and tools
Aviva is for everyone. We’re inclusive and welcome everyone – we want applications from all backgrounds and experiences. Excited but not sure you tick every box? Even if you don’t, we would still encourage you to apply. We also consider all forms of flexible working, including part time and job shares. We flex locations, hours and working patterns to suit our customers, business, and you. Most of our people are smart working – spending at least 50% of their time in our offices every week - combining the benefits of flexibility, with time together with colleagues.
Head of Innovation Culture in London employer: Aviva
Aviva is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and growth, offering a competitive salary of £28,600 along with a generous bonus scheme and pension contributions. Our collaborative work culture in Leeds fosters a supportive environment where you can thrive in a fast-paced role while making a meaningful impact on customers' lives. With flexible working options, extensive benefits, and opportunities for personal development, Aviva is committed to helping you build a rewarding career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Innovation Culture in London
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
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✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like Aviva.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like Aviva.
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Innovation Culture in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Aviva.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Aviva. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aviva
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Aviva, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Aviva, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Aviva could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Aviva as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
