At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI initiatives and drive innovation to enhance airport operations and passenger experiences.
- Company: Join London Gatwick, a dynamic airport focused on AI and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible benefits, annual bonus, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace culture prioritising diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of AI in a bustling airport environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in AI leadership, strategy development, and stakeholder management.
The predicted salary is between 86401 - 86401 £ per year.
- Lead AI & Innovation Manager
- Permanent Role
- Salary from £86,401+ £7,500 flex allowance + Up to 30% Bonus + Benefits
Great journeys happen at London Gatwick. Where will your career take you?
What is the role?
London Gatwick is embarking on an exciting journey to unlock the power of Artificial Intelligence and innovation across our airport operation.
We are looking for a visionary and commercially minded AI leader to help define, drive and deliver the next generation of technology-enabled transformation.
This is a unique opportunity to influence how AI enhances workforce productivity, transforms the passenger experience, and optimises operational performance across one of the UK's most complex and dynamic environments.
From Generative AI and intelligent automation through to machine learning, computer vision and emerging technologies, you will play a key role in determining how innovation creates measurable value for our business, our people and our passengers.
What will you do?
Reporting to the Head of Business Technology, you will lead Gatwick's AI and Innovation agenda, developing a strategic roadmap that aligns emerging technologies with business priorities, operational resilience, customer experience and sustainable growth.
You’ll build and manage a portfolio of AI and innovation opportunities, taking ideas from concept through pilot and into scalable business solutions.
Working across technology, operations and commercial functions, you'll identify opportunities where AI can deliver meaningful and measurable outcomes.
- Defining and delivering Gatwick's AI and Innovation strategy and roadmap.
- Creating and managing a portfolio of innovation initiatives and AI use cases.
- Driving workforce productivity through growth and adoption of Generative AI, Agentic AI and automation solutions.
- Leading innovation programmes that improve the passenger journey and commercial performance.
- Developing AI-powered solutions that enhance operational efficiency, safety, resilience and asset performance.
- Establishing governance frameworks for the responsible and ethical use of AI.
- Building AI capability, adoption and confidence across the organisation.
- Managing relationships with technology partners, start-ups, aviation stakeholders and industry experts.
Do you have what we're looking for?
We're seeking a strategic and forward-thinking technology leader who combines AI expertise with strong commercial awareness and exceptional stakeholder management skills.
You will be comfortable operating in a complex, highly regulated environment, influencing senior leaders and translating emerging technology into practical business outcomes.
- Significant experience leading AI, digital transformation, innovation or emerging technology programmes.
- Experience developing AI strategies, roadmaps and investment cases.
- Strong knowledge of Generative AI, Agentic AI, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Automation and Data Analytics.
- A track record of taking ideas from concept and proof-of-concept through to scaled implementation.
- Experience delivering measurable customer, operational or commercial outcomes through technology.
- Knowledge of AI governance, risk management, information security, privacy and responsible AI principles.
- Strong people leadership, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
What's in it for you?
We value our people and reward every employee fairly with a highly competitive package, enhanced by a discretionary annual bonus, free staff parking, discounted rail travel to work, share matching scheme and more.
We offer a rewarding world of flexible benefits you can tailor to the things that matter to you most.
There's also plenty of opportunities for career progression, as well as training to support your personal and professional development.
At London Gatwick we're also very well connected, just 30 minutes from central London and directly linked to over 100 towns and cities.
Whether you prefer to travel by cycle, electric car, or train, we aim to make your journey to work as convenient and cost-effective as possible.
What's it like to work at London Gatwick?
At London Gatwick, our people are our biggest asset.
We want our people to thrive and have the best experience while working with us.
We know we are all at our best when we feel comfortable and included.
We are an organisation that places diversity, equity and inclusion at its heart.
Our aim: to create a place where everyone belongs and has a voice, and we recognise we all play an important role in our success.
London Gatwick supports an inclusive recruitment process, enabling you to perform at your best.
Please make us aware as part of your application should you require any reasonable adjustments.
We welcome disabled applicants.
Lead AI & Innovation Manager in London employer: Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on professional development and a hybrid working model, employees enjoy the flexibility of remote work while being part of a vibrant office culture. The company provides competitive compensation packages, including bonuses, and opportunities to lead significant infrastructure projects that make a real impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead AI & Innovation Manager 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 Gatwick Airport.
✨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 Gatwick Airport.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead AI & Innovation Manager 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 Gatwick Airport 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 Gatwick Airport 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 Gatwick Airport
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Gatwick Airport, 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 Gatwick Airport 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 Gatwick Airport, 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.
