At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive innovation by developing cutting-edge solutions for real-world customer challenges.
- Company: Join Hitachi Rail, a leader in digital transformation and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, market-leading training, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with a commitment to diversity and personal well-being.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the transport sector while collaborating with industry experts.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or Innovation Management required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
About Us
A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into.
Our Opportunity
Reporting to the Technical and Assurance Director, the Innovation Manager will be responsible for the development of innovative solutions to Customer problems, enabling Customer success. We’re seeking an Innovation Manager to drive the identification, development and adoption of cutting-edge technology solutions, while securing customer-funded innovation to solve real-world challenges. You will proactively uncover opportunities through close engagement with key UK customers and the wider transport innovation ecosystem, converting these into high-impact bids and proposals in collaboration with SMEs and academia. Accountable for aligning innovation activities with Hitachi Rail’s strategic goals, you will prioritise initiatives based on commercial return, capture and mature opportunities, and ensure successful delivery and exploitation of outcomes that enable customer success and drive sustainable growth across GTS-UK. You will also build and maintain strong partnerships across customers, industry networks (e.g. RIA), SMEs, academia, and internal stakeholders including Hitachi Rail business lines, our Global Business Unit and Hitachi Europe R&D. This role will be a hybrid role based in London and will require regular travel.
Key Responsibilities:
- Identify and deliver targeted innovation activities aligned with business goals and objectives
- Prioritise innovation opportunities based on forecast returns
- Secure funding for innovation activities from external and internal sources
- Deliver the targeted outcomes from innovation activities (technical, exploitation, commercial, financial)
- Identify and engage SMEs as appropriate
- Establish links and relationships with key customers and UK Rail professional innovation network
- Establish links and relationships with SMEs and academia regarding complementary technologies and capabilities
- Close collaboration with Product Line Managers, Product Line Architects, Product Owners, Culture Captains/Coaches
- Close collaboration with business units worldwide
- Close collaboration with bid and project Solution Engineering Managers and Project Design Authorities where applicable
- Active contributor to the whole Engineering and Technical team
Technical Skills and Experience:
- Implementation of Project, Product, and Innovation Management practices
- Contract Management
- Prototyping and Experimentation – capable of developing proof-of-concepts and minimum viable products
- Bid and Financial Management, including the necessary financial acumen to develop work cost estimates and navigate complex funder requirements
- Intellectual Property Management
- Critical Thinking - can demonstrate Creative Problem Solving techniques and understanding of Design Thinking principles
Human Skills:
- Strong stakeholder management, leadership and communication skills
- Build relationships at all levels and influence decision makers
- Build beneficial and collaborative relationships with external organisations, customer bodies, and funders
- Lead, manage, mentor and coach a diverse matrix-managed team
- Resilience, flexibility, and the ability to work with uncertainty
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Science, Innovation Management or related topic area
What We Can Offer:
We are committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority, so you will have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.
Flexibility:
Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.
Thank you for your interest in Hitachi Rail. If your application is of interest, we will be in contact. Please do not hesitate to discover more about us and our latest jobs at Hitachi Rail Careers.
At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the UK Government website.
Innovation Manager in London employer: Hitachi
At Hitachi Rail, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of London. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our market-leading training and development opportunities, alongside a flexible work culture that prioritises your well-being and work-life balance. Join us to be part of a diverse global team where your contributions will drive meaningful change in the transport sector and beyond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to meet with potential employers, bring along examples of your work or projects you've led. This is your time to shine and demonstrate how you can drive innovation and solve real-world challenges.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to companies you admire, like Hitachi Rail, and express your interest in working with them. Sometimes, creating your own opportunity is the best way to land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning and adapting! Stay updated on the latest trends in innovation and technology. This not only makes you more attractive to employers but also shows that you’re committed to personal growth and can bring fresh ideas to the table.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Innovation Manager role. Highlight your experience with innovative solutions and how it aligns with Hitachi Rail's goals. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to the table!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t just list your skills—demonstrate them! Use examples that showcase your critical thinking and creative problem-solving abilities. We love seeing how you've tackled challenges in the past.
Engage with Our Values:Familiarise yourself with Hitachi Rail’s mission and values. Reflect these in your application by discussing how your personal values align with ours. We’re all about creating a legacy through innovation, so let us know how you fit into that vision!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hitachi
✨Know Your Innovation Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in innovation management and technology solutions. Be ready to discuss how you've identified and delivered innovative solutions in the past, as this will show your potential employer that you can drive customer success.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since the role involves building relationships with customers and SMEs, think about how you can demonstrate your stakeholder management skills. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with different teams or external partners to achieve a common goal.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific challenges you've faced and how you applied critical thinking and creative problem-solving techniques to overcome them. This is crucial for an Innovation Manager, so have a few solid examples ready to share.
✨Align with Company Goals
Research Hitachi Rail's strategic goals and be ready to explain how your experience and ideas align with their vision. This shows that you're not just interested in the role, but also in contributing to the company's long-term success.
