At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovation projects from concept to launch and run engaging workshops.
- Company: Join a leading insurer with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Hybrid work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with strong potential for career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the insurance industry through innovative product development.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership and product development experience required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
I am currently partnered with a leading Insurer Business who are seeking a Senior Manager to join their Innovation and Product Development team on a 12M FTC basis. This is a very exciting market-facing role that will be identifying problem areas and opportunities, taking ideas from concept to launch, designing and running innovation workshops, supporting training programmes and more. My client is looking for someone with extensive leadership, product development & innovation experience from any industry.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the innovation partnership, commercialisation, and consulting agenda, ensuring innovation activity translates into tangible adoption and measurable commercial value.
- Own the development and implementation of innovation frameworks, oversee consulting and advisory delivery, strengthen strategic partnerships, and act as a senior representative to external stakeholders.
- Ensure all programmes, partnerships, and innovation initiatives are aligned, commercially relevant, and deliver meaningful impact.
Strategy
- Shape and continuously evolve the approach to product development, innovation frameworks, and commercialisation, ensuring consistency, credibility, and quality.
- Provide strategic leadership across consulting and innovation partnership activities.
- Contribute to long-term roadmap planning, aligning innovation activity with broader business strategy and market needs.
- Oversee and prioritise innovation initiatives, programmes, and events.
- Act as a senior advisor on innovation methodology, product strategy, market challenges, and commercial pathways.
Market Development & Strategic Partnerships
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including insurers, brokers, innovation leads, and external partners.
- Develop a deep understanding of market needs, commercial pressures, and innovation opportunities to shape support offerings.
- Represent the function in senior-level discussions, providing trusted insight and strategic guidance.
- Strengthen positioning within the global innovation ecosystem through partnerships, knowledge sharing, and thought leadership.
Programmes: Consulting, Sprints & Testbeds
- Lead consulting and advisory engagements, ensuring they are well-structured, outcome-focused, and aligned to strategic priorities.
- Provide coaching and strategic direction to teams involved in innovation sprints and development initiatives.
- Ensure consistent application of innovation frameworks (e.g. concept -> proof of concept -> scale) across all programmes.
- Collaborate with programme leads to ensure alignment in delivery, methodology, and commercial outcomes.
- Track performance metrics and KPIs to ensure initiatives deliver measurable business value.
Market & Ecosystem Engagement
- Lead engagement initiatives such as workshops, roundtables, and industry events.
- Share insights on emerging trends and innovation opportunities with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Develop high-quality content, including case studies and thought leadership, to demonstrate impact and value.
- Act as a visible ambassador, representing innovation and commercial capabilities externally.
Global Collaboration
- Partner with regional teams to understand local innovation needs and support strategic objectives.
- Provide guidance on applying innovation frameworks across different markets and initiatives.
- Ensure a consistent approach to how stakeholders access and benefit from innovation support globally.
Team Leadership & Operational Excellence
- Lead and develop a high-performing team, setting clear priorities and fostering a collaborative, inclusive environment.
- Maintain strong operational discipline across planning, governance, communication, and delivery.
- Ensure consistency and quality across all engagements and initiatives.
- Work closely with analytical support functions to track activity, measure impact, and maintain accurate reporting.
Senior Manager - Innovation & Product Development in London employer: HFG
As a leading Insurer based in London, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that champions innovation and professional growth. Our Senior Manager - Innovation & Product Development role offers the unique opportunity to lead transformative projects while collaborating with industry experts, ensuring that your contributions have a meaningful impact on our business and the wider market. With a strong focus on employee development and strategic partnerships, we provide a supportive environment where your ideas can flourish and drive real change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manager - Innovation & Product Development in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its innovation strategies. We want you to be able to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your vision for innovation and product development. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or in front of a mirror to boost your confidence before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance at landing that role!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager - Innovation & Product Development in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Senior Manager in Innovation & Product Development. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant product development projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about innovation and how your background makes you the perfect fit for this role. Be sure to mention specific examples that showcase your expertise.
Showcase Your Achievements:When filling out your application, don’t just list your responsibilities—show us your achievements! Use metrics and outcomes to demonstrate how your contributions have made a tangible impact in previous roles. We love numbers!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at HFG
✨Know Your Innovation Frameworks
Make sure you’re well-versed in various innovation frameworks and methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, especially in product development. This will show that you can hit the ground running and lead initiatives effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, particularly in managing teams and driving innovation. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. This will demonstrate your capability to lead a high-performing team.
✨Understand Market Needs
Research the current trends and challenges within the insurance industry. Be prepared to discuss how you can align innovation strategies with market demands. This shows that you’re not just a creative thinker but also someone who understands the commercial landscape.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think of ways you’ve built strong relationships with stakeholders in previous roles. Be ready to share how you’ve collaborated with external partners or internal teams to drive innovation. This will illustrate your ability to represent the function effectively in senior-level discussions.