At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative fundraising projects from concept to launch, making a real impact.
- Company: Join the British Heart Foundation, a leader in health and innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and a chance to make a difference.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and fosters growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fundraising and engage with diverse communities.
- Qualifications: Senior-level experience in innovation or product development required.
We’re looking for a Senior Innovation and Development Lead to help shape the future of how we grow income and engage customers at the British Heart Foundation (BHF). This isn’t about theory, it’s about turning bold ideas into real, sustainable income streams. From new fundraising products to reimagining traditional models, you’ll take concepts from insight → test → launch → scale.
Responsible for driving innovation that delivers both impact and income you will:
- Identify new audience problems and income opportunities, using desk research, internal insight and commissioned customer research.
- Turn insight into new fundraising propositions (including digital, subscription and challenge‑based products), developing and refining concepts with clear success criteria.
- Test, pilot and launch ideas at pace, using MVPs and a test‑and‑learn approach to decide what to scale, adapt or stop.
- Build robust business and investment cases, including commercial modelling (e.g. payback, NPV and unit economics).
- Influence senior stakeholders with clear, evidence‑based recommendations.
- Lead successful propositions into BAU.
This is a big role that offers genuine ownership, with all delivery led and delivered in‑house without the support agencies. Visible at senior level the role provides the opportunity to turn insight into real impact.
About you
As our ideal candidate, you’ll bring senior‑level experience in innovation, fundraising or product development, with a clear ability to turn insight into action. You’re commercially minded and creative, comfortable with ambiguity, and able to move at pace while staying focused on what delivers real value.
You’ll have proven experience leading propositions end‑to‑end from early problem discovery and insight through testing, piloting, scaling and evaluation, all delivered in‑house. You’ve built and refined MVPs and pilots through evidence‑based experimentation, and you’re confident making calls on when to scale, pivot or stop initiatives.
With advance data and insight skills, you can translate complex qualitative and quantitative insight into clear options and recommendations for senior stakeholders. You bring experience building strong business and investment cases, including budgeting and forecasting, as well as taking successful propositions into BAU. Used to working in complex, cross functional environments, you can influence without direct authority and manage interdependencies and governance with clarity.
Working arrangements
This is a hybrid role, where your work will be split between your home and at least one day per week, on average, in our London Office. This may vary from time to time, so you will need to work in a flexible way to unlock your best work for our cause.
Belonging at BHF
We celebrate and value the diversity of the communities we serve, recognising that embracing different perspectives and backgrounds strengthens our organisation and drives innovation. By fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and supported, we are better equipped to achieve our mission of helping people have a healthier heart for longer.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. By funding research across six decades, we’ve helped keep millions of hearts beating and millions of families together. We’re investing in ground-breaking research that will get us closer than ever to a world where everyone has a healthier heart for longer.
Senior Innovation and Development Lead employer: British Heart Foundation
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is an exceptional employer that empowers its employees to drive meaningful change in the health sector. With a strong focus on innovation and collaboration, BHF offers a dynamic work culture where creativity thrives, and employees are encouraged to take ownership of their projects. Located in London, this hybrid role provides flexibility while being part of a mission-driven organisation dedicated to improving heart health, ensuring that every team member feels valued and supported in their professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Innovation and Development Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current BHF employees on LinkedIn. Building relationships can give us insider info and might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, share bold ideas or innovative solutions related to fundraising. We want to see how you think outside the box!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Brush up on your knowledge about BHF’s mission and recent projects. We need to know you’re passionate about our cause and ready to make an impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at BHF.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Innovation and Development Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Audience:Before you start writing, take a moment to understand who you're addressing. Tailor your application to resonate with the British Heart Foundation's mission and values. Show us that you get what we're about!
Be Bold and Clear:This role is all about turning bold ideas into action, so don’t hold back! Use clear language to express your innovative thoughts and how you've successfully implemented them in the past. We want to see your creativity shine through!
Show Your Impact:When detailing your experience, focus on the impact you've made in previous roles. Use specific examples that highlight your ability to drive innovation and income. Numbers and outcomes speak volumes, so let us know how you've made a difference!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out on the chance to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at British Heart Foundation
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, research the British Heart Foundation and their current initiatives. Understand their mission and how your role as a Senior Innovation and Development Lead can contribute to their goals. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in their work.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully turned insights into actionable strategies. Highlight your experience with MVPs and how you've tested and scaled ideas. Use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving
Expect to discuss how you would approach identifying new audience problems and income opportunities. Think about potential challenges the BHF might face and be prepared to share your thought process on how to tackle them. This shows your proactive mindset and ability to think critically.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since influencing senior stakeholders is key in this role, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you've previously built strong business cases and navigated complex environments. This will demonstrate your capability to lead initiatives effectively within the organisation.
