At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor a dynamic R&D team to create innovative prototypes.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company at the forefront of technology in gaming and entertainment.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £/€1,000 learning fund, unlimited holiday, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career growth and learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of tech with cutting-edge projects and a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in R&D and strong software development skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: London, Dublin, Leeds (Hybrid).
Reports to: Head of Disruptive R&D.
Direct Reports: Prototyping Engineer, Research Graduate.
Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor the Frontier R&D team, setting priorities and ensuring delivery of high‑quality prototypes and research outputs.
- Transform early‑stage concepts into structured, demonstrable prototypes in close collaboration with the Head of Disruptive R&D.
- Conduct technology horizon scanning to identify emerging trends relevant to betting, gaming, and entertainment.
- Build and maintain relationships with technology vendors, research institutions, and innovation partners.
- Create compelling presentations and demonstrations for senior stakeholders and cross‑functional teams.
- Manage the team’s prototyping pipeline from ideation through to hand‑off for formal project development.
- Establish best practices for rapid prototyping using generative AI coding tools and modern development workflows.
- Valuate proof‑of‑concept outcomes and make recommendations on technology investment and adoption.
Qualifications
- 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, translating 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.
Benefits
- £/€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.
We’re working to be an inclusive employer.
Frontier R&D Manager in London employer: Halfords Media (UK) Ltd
As a Frontier R&D Manager at our innovative company, you will thrive in a dynamic and inclusive work culture that champions creativity and collaboration. With access to a generous learning fund, unlimited holiday, and hybrid working options, we prioritise employee well-being and growth, ensuring you have the resources to excel in your role while exploring the latest trends in technology and entertainment. Join us in London, Dublin, or Leeds, where your passion for emerging technologies will be nurtured and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Frontier R&D 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 Halfords Media (UK) Ltd.
✨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 Halfords Media (UK) Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Frontier R&D 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 Halfords Media (UK) Ltd 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 Halfords Media (UK) Ltd 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 Halfords Media (UK) Ltd
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Halfords Media (UK) Ltd, 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 Halfords Media (UK) Ltd 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 Halfords Media (UK) Ltd, 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.
