At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global innovation for No7BC brands, turning insights into impactful products.
- Company: Join a leading beauty brand committed to creativity and consumer insight.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous discounts, flexible benefits, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of beauty with your innovative ideas and leadership.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in senior innovation roles with strong storytelling and commercial skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Contract: Fixed Term/Secondment - up to 12 months
Location: Nottingham/London (weekly presence in Nottingham office is required)
As Head of Innovation & Brand Foresight you will be accountable for creating and delivering an incredible Global innovation pipeline from concept through to launch for one of our No7BC brands. You will lead a consumer‑obsessed Foresight & Innovation function that translates deep human insight, cultural shifts, scientific discovery and emerging beauty trends into world‑class, commercially powerful product propositions and compelling brand stories. You will sit at the intersection of culture, consumer insight and creativity, defining our innovation agenda, uncovering white‑space opportunities, and partnering cross‑functionally to bring standout concepts to life. Alongside leading a high‑performing team, you will set the strategic direction for ideation and ensure we build a pipeline of ideas that are inspiring and commercially impactful.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Product Development function to identify future growth opportunities and emerging consumer needs.
- Own the innovation masterplan, making critical choices that shape our future product offerings.
- Translate scientific advancements into differentiated innovation opportunities that resonate with consumers.
- Build and lead strategic partnerships across internal functions and external partners to ensure successful launches.
- Inspire and develop a high‑performing team, fostering a culture of curiosity and creativity.
What You’ll Need To Have (our Must-haves)
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in leading innovation/product development functions at a senior level.
- Proven ability to inspire breakthrough thinking and foster a culture of innovation.
- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of assessing market opportunities.
- Exceptional storytelling skills to connect consumer insights with brand narratives.
- Experience building strategic partnerships to unlock new capabilities.
It would be great if you also have
- Experience working across multiple categories and international markets.
- A strong network within the beauty industry and innovation ecosystems.
Rewards designed for you
- Boots Retirement Savings Plan
- Discretionary annual bonus
- Generous employee discounts
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave pay and gift card for anyone expecting or adopting a child
- Flexible benefits scheme including option to buy additional holiday, discounted gym membership, life assurance, activity passes and much more.
- Access to free, 24/7 counselling and support through TELUS Health, our Employee Assistance Programme.
We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, creating an inclusive workplace where our colleagues are empowered to be themselves and where diversity, equity and inclusion are part of how we do things, every day. If you require additional support as part of the application and interview process, we are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to help you to be at your best.
Head of Innovation & Brand Foresight in London employer: Boots UK
As a leading employer in the beauty industry, we offer an inspiring work environment that champions creativity and innovation. Our Nottingham and London locations provide a vibrant backdrop for collaboration, while our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, including generous discounts, flexible working options, and a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values your insights and empowers you to shape the future of beauty.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Innovation & Brand Foresight in London
✨Leverage Innovation Hubs
Tap into local innovation hubs and research centres. These places often host events and workshops where you can meet like-minded people and industry leaders. Plus, they might have job openings that aren't widely advertised, so keep your ears open!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Turn your past innovation projects into compelling stories. Create a portfolio showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills. This can give hiring managers a real flavour of what you can bring to the table at companies like Boots UK.
✨Connect at Industry Conferences
Make it a point to attend industry conferences and seminars focused on R&D and innovation management. These events are fantastic for networking and often have job boards or career fairs where you can connect directly with firms looking for talent.
✨Use Your University’s Resources
If you're fresh out of university, don't forget to tap into your institution's career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies seeking new talent in R&D, especially for full-time roles. It's a good shortcut to landing a gig at places like Boots UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Innovation & Brand Foresight in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Creative Thinking:In innovation and R&D management, it's all about thinking outside the box. Make sure your CV highlights any projects or experiences that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've developed and implemented innovative ideas in previous roles.
Tailor Your Experience to R&D:When you're crafting your CV, focus on your experience in research and development. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, including methodologies used and results achieved. This will show us at Boots UK that you understand the R&D process and can contribute meaningfully to our projects.
Let Your Passion Shine in the Cover Letter:For a full-time role like this, your cover letter should reflect your genuine passion for innovation and development. Share your excitement about the opportunity to work at Boots UK and touch on how your goals align with our mission. This helps us see your motivation for wanting to join our team!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in R&D! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your CV. Whether it’s a percentage improvement in project outcomes, the budget size you’ve managed, or the number of successful products you've launched, these figures will help paint a clearer picture of your impact and capabilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Boots UK
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Boots UK, they're going to want to see how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to discuss previous projects where you introduced a new idea or process. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and provide examples where your innovations drove significant results.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Technologies
Make sure you're clued up on the latest tools and technologies related to innovation management, such as project management software and data analysis platforms. Being able to discuss specific tools you’ve used or have experience with will show Boots UK that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, emphasising your teamwork skills will be essential. In innovation, collaboration often sparks the best ideas, so be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively within cross-functional teams in your past roles. Have concrete examples at the ready!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions in your interview that reflect real challenges you might face in the role. £At Boots UK, they might want to see how you handle tight deadlines or manage conflicting ideas within a team. Prepare some responses that demonstrate your critical thinking and decisiveness in high-pressure situations.
