At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovation and product development for a top beauty brand, creating impactful product propositions.
- Company: Join Boots, a leader in the beauty industry with a focus on innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible benefits, generous discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a vibrant culture that values diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of beauty with your creativity and insights while leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in senior innovation roles, strong storytelling, and commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Contract: Fixed Term/Secondment - up to 12 months
Closing date: 23rd June 2026
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 be leading 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. It is an exciting time for our business as many of our brands continue to create breakthroughs in the market, along with some revolution of some of our customer favourites. Sitting at the intersection of culture, consumer insight and creativity, you will play a critical role in 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 are building a pipeline of ideas that are both 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 in 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 are 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.
Head of Innovation & Brand Foresight employer: Boots
At Boots, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Nottingham and London that fosters creativity and innovation. As the Head of Innovation & Brand Foresight, you will lead a passionate team dedicated to transforming consumer insights into groundbreaking products, all while enjoying generous benefits such as a discretionary annual bonus, flexible working options, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Join us to not only advance your career but also to make a meaningful impact in the beauty industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Innovation & Brand Foresight
✨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.
✨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.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Innovation & Brand Foresight
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 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 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
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Boots, 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 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, 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.
