At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovation and strategic partnerships to drive business growth and technology advancements.
- Company: Join Haleon, a forward-thinking company focused on health and wellness.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to creating an inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Shape the future of innovation and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in innovation, strategy, and partnerships with strong executive influencing skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About the Role
The Head of Innovation & Strategic Partnerships is a senior leadership role within Digital & Technology (D&T), accountable for driving enterprise‑level innovation and building value‑led strategic partnerships that accelerate Haleon’s business strategy. Reporting to the Head of Strategy, Architecture & Capability, the role sits at the intersection of strategy, architecture and execution. It ensures that innovation and external partnerships are intentionally aligned to enterprise priorities, architecture roadmaps and measurable business outcomes. The role moves D&T away from fragmented experimentation and transactional supplier engagement towards a disciplined innovation model, underpinned by a small number of strategic partners, co‑investment, shared accountability and clear value realisation.
Role Purpose
To accelerate Haleon’s strategy by identifying, shaping and scaling high‑value innovation opportunities, and by establishing strategic technology partnerships that provide access to market insight, emerging capabilities, specialist delivery capacity and co‑investment – all aligned to enterprise architecture and business outcomes.
Key Accountabilities
- Enterprise innovation strategy aligned to D&T and business priorities
- Definition and operation of a disciplined innovation model
- Establishment and governance of a small portfolio of strategic partners
- Alignment of innovation and partnerships to architecture roadmaps
- Value realisation, benefits tracking and outcome‑based engagement
- Executive‑level advisory to D&T and business leadership on innovation and partnership choices
Key Responsibilities
Enterprise Innovation Strategy & Operating Model
- Define and maintain a clear enterprise innovation strategy, aligned to Haleon’s business strategy and D&T roadmap.
- Shift innovation from ad‑hoc experimentation to a disciplined, repeatable model that moves ideas from discovery to pilot to scale.
- Ensure innovation activity is focused on strategic value pools such as growth, productivity, resilience, compliance and AI‑enabled transformation.
- Establish governance that balances exploration with control, reducing duplication and innovation drift.
Strategic Partnership Strategy & Portfolio
- Define and execute Haleon’s strategic partnership strategy for technology and digital innovation.
- Rationalise the third‑party landscape towards a small number of strategic partners that form the backbone of Haleon’s core capability.
- Move partner relationships from transactional, consumption‑led models to value‑led partnerships with joint accountability for outcomes.
Partner Selection, Relationship Management & Governance
- Lead identification, evaluation and selection of strategic partners aligned to:
- Enterprise architecture direction
- Priority value pools and initiatives
- Capability gaps and acceleration needs
- Establish clear partnership governance, including:
- Executive sponsorship
- Joint roadmaps and investment plans
- Defined success metrics and value tracking
- Ensure partnerships are reviewed, evolved or exited based on performance and relevance.
Co‑Investment & Value Realisation
- Shape co‑investment models with strategic partners to reduce risk and accelerate delivery of priority initiatives.
- Ensure innovation and partnership investments have:
- Clear hypotheses and use cases
- Explicit success measures
- Agreed routes to scale
- Track benefits realisation and ensure outcomes are visible to senior leadership.
Alignment with Strategy, Architecture & Domain Roadmaps
- Work closely with:
- Domain Architects
- Platform Owners
- Portfolio & Delivery leadership
- Ensure innovation efforts and partner engagements are:
- Architecturally coherent
- Aligned to the Haleon D&T strategy and target state
- Focused on simplification and reuse, not fragmentation
- Prevent innovation from creating long‑term architectural debt.
Executive Advisory & Thought Leadership
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior D&T and business leaders on:
- Emerging technology trends
- Strategic partnership opportunities
- Build vs. buy vs. partner decisions
- Provide clear perspectives on trade‑offs, risks and opportunities to inform executive decision‑making.
Emerging Technology & Market Insight
- Maintain a forward‑looking view of emerging technologies, delivery models and partner ecosystems.
- Bring external insight and thought leadership into Haleon to inform:
- Strategy reviews
- Architecture evolution
- Investment prioritisation
- Ensure lessons from pilots and experiments are captured and applied at scale.
Innovation Culture & Ways of Working
- Help build a culture where innovation is:
- Intentional
- Business‑led
- Measurable
- Enable teams to engage with partners effectively while retaining enterprise standards and controls.
- Promote learning, reuse and community across innovation initiatives.
What Good Looks Like
- Innovation activity is focused on strategic priorities, not side experiments
- A small number of strategic partners deliver disproportionate value
- Co‑investment reduces risk and accelerates outcomes
- Innovation initiatives scale into core platforms and capabilities
- Leadership has clear visibility of value delivered from partnerships
- The enterprise architecture remains coherent despite rapid innovation
Qualifications & Experience
- Significant experience in innovation, strategy, partnerships or consulting roles
- Proven track record working with strategic technology partners
- Strong commercial acumen and ability to structure value‑led engagements
- Experience operating at executive level, influencing senior stakeholders
- Ability to connect technology innovation to measurable business outcomes
Preferred
- Experience in Digital, Technology or transformation leadership roles
- Familiarity with EA‑led operating models and portfolio governance
- Experience working with global technology partners and ecosystems
- Exposure to AI, data and platform innovation initiative
Skills & Capabilities
- Strategic thinking and commercial judgement
- Strong stakeholder and executive influencing skills
- Ability to operate across ambiguity and emerging domains
- Structured approach to innovation and value realisation
- Strong communication and storytelling capability for senior audiences
Equal Opportunities
Haleon are committed to mobilising our purpose in a way that represents the diverse consumers and communities who rely on our brands every day. It guides us in creating an inclusive culture, where different backgrounds and views are valued and respected – all in support of understanding and best serving the needs of our consumers and unleashing the full potential of our people.
Adjustment or Accommodations Request
If you require a reasonable adjustment or accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at Haleon at any stage of the application process, please let your recruiter know by providing them with a description of specific adjustments you are requesting.
Note to candidates
The Haleon recruitment team will contact you using a Haleon email account (@haleon.com). If you are not sure whether the email you received is from Haleon, please get in touch.
Head of Strategic Innovation & Partnerships in London employer: Haleon
Haleon is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of intentional innovation and strategic collaboration, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking to make a meaningful impact in the Digital & Technology sector. With a commitment to employee growth, Haleon offers robust opportunities for career advancement, alongside a supportive environment that values diverse perspectives and encourages shared accountability in achieving business outcomes. Located in a dynamic industry, employees benefit from access to cutting-edge technology and a network of strategic partners, ensuring a rewarding and enriching work experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Innovation & Partnerships in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Haleon’s values and recent innovations, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who can drive their strategic vision forward.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t shy away from showcasing your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've driven innovation or built successful partnerships in the past. Numbers and outcomes speak volumes, so make sure to highlight those.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Haleon team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Innovation & Partnerships in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of Strategic Innovation & Partnerships role. Highlight your experience in innovation and partnerships, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive innovation and build strategic partnerships. We love seeing how you've made a tangible impact in previous positions!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. This helps us quickly grasp your qualifications and fit for the role without getting lost in unnecessary details.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our official website. This ensures that your application is received directly by our recruitment team and allows us to process it more efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Haleon
✨Understand the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description. Familiarise yourself with Haleon’s business strategy and how the Head of Strategic Innovation & Partnerships role fits into it. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've successfully driven innovation or built strategic partnerships. Highlight your ability to connect technology innovations to measurable business outcomes, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for Executive-Level Conversations
Since this role involves influencing senior stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be ready to discuss trade-offs, risks, and opportunities in a way that resonates with executive leadership.
✨Demonstrate Cultural Fit
Haleon values an intentional and measurable approach to innovation. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to building a culture of innovation within the company, ensuring that your values align with theirs.
