At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to create innovative prototypes and research insights in emerging technology.
- Company: Join Flutter, a global leader in online sports betting and iGaming.
- Benefits: Enjoy unlimited holiday, a learning fund, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages personal growth.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of technology trends and shape the future of gaming.
- Qualifications: Experience in R&D, strong software skills, and a passion for emerging tech.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: London / Dublin / Leeds (Hybrid)
Reports to: Head of Disruptive R&D
Direct Reports: Prototyping Engineer, Research Graduate
Our Frontier R&D team operates at the cutting‑edge of emerging technology within Flutter UKI's Disruptive R&D function. We identify and evaluate technology trends over a 12‑36 month horizon, build rapid prototypes with early‑stage tools, forge relationships with technology providers, and present our findings to stakeholders across the business. Our mission is to generate a high volume of research insights and working prototypes that can be formalised into strategic projects for the wider R&D organisation.
As R&D Manager, you will lead a small, agile team of technologists, translating ambitious concepts into tangible demonstrations that inform Flutter's innovation roadmap.
What You’ll Do
- Leading and mentoring the Frontier R&D team, setting priorities and ensuring delivery of high‑quality prototypes and research outputs.
- Working closely with the Head of Disruptive R&D to transform early‑stage concepts into structured, demonstrable prototypes.
- Conducting technology horizon scanning to identify emerging trends relevant to betting, gaming, and entertainment.
- Building and maintaining relationships with technology vendors, research institutions, and innovation partners.
- Creating compelling presentations and demonstrations for senior stakeholders and cross‑functional teams.
- Managing the team's prototyping pipeline from ideation through to handoff for formal project development.
- Establishing best practices for rapid prototyping using generative AI coding tools and modern development workflows.
- Valuating proof‑of‑concept outcomes and making recommendations on technology investment and adoption.
What You’ll Need
- Proven experience leading technical teams in R&D, innovation, or emerging technology roles.
- Strong software development background with hands‑on experience across multiple technology domains.
- Demonstrated expertise in machine learning, AI, or related computational fields.
- Extensive experience with generative AI tools for coding, content creation, and productivity.
- Ability to rapidly learn and apply new technologies, frameworks, and platforms.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with ability to translate technical concepts for diverse audiences.
- Track record of building relationships with external technology partners and vendors.
- Passion for emerging technology and a natural curiosity about future industry trends.
Desirable
- Experience in betting, gaming, or entertainment industries.
- Familiarity with API integration, particularly in financial or betting contexts.
- Knowledge of neural networks and deep learning architectures.
- Experience with automated content generation pipelines.
What’s On Offer
- £/€1,000 learning fund.
- Twice‑yearly bonus (with part of it guaranteed!)
- Unlimited Holiday.
- Pension contribution scheme.
- Private healthcare.
- Hybrid Working.
- Access to thousands of Udemy courses.
- Invest via the Company Sharesave Scheme.
About Flutter
Flutter is the world’s leading online sports betting and iGaming operator, with a market leading position in the US and across the world. Our ambition is to change our industry for the better, making use of our significant scale and challenger mentality. By Changing the Game, we believe we can deliver long‑term growth while promoting a positive, sustainable future for the industry.
About Flutter UK & Ireland
The UK & Ireland region of Flutter unites some of the biggest brands in the betting and gaming industry; Betfair, Paddy Power, PokerStars, Sky Betting & Gaming and tombola. At Flutter UK & Ireland, we strive for the next level and drive innovation to set the pace as leaders, putting our customers first, always.
We’re working to be an inclusive employer. We encourage people from all backgrounds, ways of thinking and working to apply. Everyone brings different perspectives and experiences; you don't have to meet all the requirements listed to apply for this role. If you need any adjustments to make this role work for you let us know, and we’ll see how we can accommodate them.
Frontier R&D Manager in Leeds employer: Flutter Uk & Ireland
At Flutter, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a generous benefits package including unlimited holiday, a £/€1,000 learning fund, and hybrid working options, we empower our employees to grow and thrive in their careers. Our commitment to inclusivity and personal development ensures that every team member can contribute their unique talents while shaping the future of the betting and gaming industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Frontier R&D Manager in Leeds
✨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 Flutter Uk & Ireland.
✨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 Flutter Uk & Ireland.
We think you need these skills to ace Frontier R&D Manager in Leeds
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 Flutter Uk & Ireland 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 Flutter Uk & Ireland 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 Flutter Uk & Ireland
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Flutter Uk & Ireland, 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 Flutter Uk & Ireland 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 Flutter Uk & Ireland, 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.
