At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI innovation projects and rapidly prototype high-impact solutions.
- Company: Global Financial Services organisation with a focus on cutting-edge technology.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid work, and the chance to shape AI strategy.
- Other info: Join a small, agile team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI adoption and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in AI, automation, and strong stakeholder management skills.
CPS Group UK are partnering with an established, global Financial Services organisation to appoint an ambitious and hands-on AI Innovation Lab Manager to lead a newly established innovation function focused on identifying, testing and accelerating high-impact AI and automation solutions across a large enterprise FS environment.
This is a unique opportunity to sit at the forefront of AI adoption, working directly with business leaders to uncover opportunities, rapidly build prototypes, evaluate emerging technologies and demonstrate tangible business value. You'll combine strategic thinking with practical delivery, helping turn ambitious ideas into working solutions and ensuring investment in AI translates into measurable outcomes.
What Makes This Role Different?
- Direct exposure to cutting-edge AI technologies and emerging market solutions.
- High levels of autonomy and ownership.
- Opportunity to influence enterprise-wide AI strategy and adoption.
- Small, agile innovation team focused on rapid experimentation and measurable impact.
- A chance to shape how a large organisation identifies, validates and scales AI opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify high-value AI and automation opportunities across the business.
- Build business cases and define success measures for innovation initiatives.
- Lead rapid prototyping, proof-of-concepts and pilot programmes.
- Work closely with stakeholders to understand challenges and translate them into practical solutions.
- Present findings, recommendations and outcomes to senior leaders.
- Support the transition of successful pilots into scalable business solutions.
- Continuously monitor the AI and automation landscape for new tools, platforms and capabilities.
- Evaluate emerging technologies against real business challenges.
- Compare solutions across capability, cost, security and implementation effort.
Required Skills & Experience
- Experience delivering AI, automation or digital innovation initiatives.
- Strong understanding of generative AI, LLMs and emerging AI technologies.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Commercial awareness and the ability to assess business value.
- A proactive, curious and solutions-focused approach.
- The confidence to work independently in an evolving environment.
Desirable Experience
- Innovation, consulting, transformation or technology backgrounds.
- Experience within regulated industries (ideally Financial Services or FinTech) or complex, matrix organisations.
- Knowledge of AI development platforms, automation tools or cloud technologies.
- Experience driving technology adoption and change.
If you're passionate about applying AI to solve real business challenges and thrive in a fast-moving innovation environment, we'd welcome your application.
AI Innovation Lab Manager in London employer: CPS Group (UK) Limited
Join a dynamic digital consultancy that prioritises employee growth and offers a flexible work culture, allowing you to thrive in a primarily remote role with occasional client visits. With competitive salaries and a focus on financial transformation initiatives, this company provides ample opportunities for professional development while working alongside senior finance stakeholders in a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Innovation Lab Manager in London
✨Dive into Innovation Events
Get yourself noticed by attending innovation and R&D conferences in your area, like the local hackathons or industry networking events. These are great opportunities to connect with key players in the field and potentially uncover temporary roles at companies like CPS Group (UK) Limited.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join online platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Slack channels focused on R&D and innovation. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and make your name known—this visibility could lead to temporary gigs or even recommendations from industry peers.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Create a digital portfolio that highlights your previous projects in R&D and innovation management. Include case studies or any innovative solutions you’ve developed—this will not only impress recruiters but make you stand out for temporary roles like the one at CPS Group (UK) Limited.
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Make sure to check out temporary positions posted directly on our website. We often have fresh opportunities, so applying through us can give you an edge in landing roles that fit your skills in innovation and R&D management.
We think you need these skills to ace AI Innovation Lab Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Creative Side:In the world of innovation and R&D management, we want to see your creative thinking skills shining through! Make sure to include examples of how you've successfully led or contributed to innovative projects in your CV. Highlight any initiatives where your ideas helped bring a product to market or improved a process.
Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your adaptability in your application. Mention situations where you've had to quickly pivot or learn new skills to tackle a problem. This shows we can rely on you to hit the ground running and contribute right away.
Be Specific About Your Impact:Use quantifiable achievements to outline the impact of your work in previous roles. Talk about specific projects you've worked on in R&D, detailing how your management improved outcomes, timeframes, or innovation metrics. Numbers speak volumes and help us understand your contributions better!
Tailor Your Application for Us:When applying, make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter specifically for CPS Group (UK) Limited. Research what ongoing projects or innovations they are working on and align your skills and experiences with those areas. It shows your interest in the company and the role, and makes your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at CPS Group (UK) Limited
✨Show Your Creative Process
For a temporary role in innovation R&D management, it's crucial to demonstrate how you approach problem-solving and creativity. Be ready to share specific projects or ideas where you've turned a concept into a tangible solution. Think about what tools or methodologies you've used—like design thinking or Agile practices—and be prepared to discuss them!
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Innovation roles often involve the use of specific software or tools for project management and development. Make sure you're familiar with industry-standard programmes, whether that’s project management tools like Trello or Asana, or prototyping software. Brush up on these tools so you can confidently discuss how they enhance your workflow.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Given that this is a temporary position, showcasing your ability to adapt quickly is key. Be prepared to discuss examples where you’ve had to pivot or alter your approach on short notice. Employers want to know you can hit the ground running and adjust your strategies as needed.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect interviews in innovation roles to include scenario-based questions that assess how you’d handle real-life challenges. Think of hypothetical situations related to project delays or team conflicts and how you would address them. Having a couple of these in your back pocket can really demonstrate your critical thinking and leadership skills!
