At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative teams to explore and develop new opportunities in finance.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking financial group transforming the industry for good.
- Benefits: Generous pension, annual bonus, 30 days holiday, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace celebrating diversity and offering excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future of finance.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategy, product management, and cross-functional team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 78098 - 91880 £ per year.
End Date: Friday 20 March 2026
Salary Range: £76,194 - £89,640
Flexible Working Options: Job Share
Location: Manchester
Salary: £78,098 – £91,880
Hours: Full time
Working Pattern: Hybrid, 40% (or two days) in office a week.
About us
We’re on an exciting journey to transform our Group and the way we’re shaping finance for good. We’re focusing on the future, investing in our technologies, workplaces, and colleagues to make our Group a great place for everyone, including you!
About this opportunity
The Group continues its ongoing strategic transformation and has created a new function to identify, develop and deliver new opportunities in Horizons 2 and 3. This function works across silos and domains, accelerating the delivery of innovations that will shape our future. As Venture Lead, you will be at the forefront of this initiative, leading cross‑functional Venture Teams to develop innovation through our in‑house process.
What you’ll do
- Lead small specialised teams to explore and develop emerging opportunity areas through the whole innovation life‑cycle, both internally‑facing and consumer‑facing.
- Develop a deep understanding of user problems, the competitive landscape and LBG’s opportunities to win in new areas and adjacencies.
- Engage internal and external experts to sharpen early‑stage thinking and develop emerging concepts.
- Collaborate cross‑functionally with partners (designers, researchers, engineers, commercial teams, etc.) to build, refine and strengthen ideas throughout the process.
- Map key assumptions and coordinate initial testing plans with research and analytics to validate early‑stage concepts.
- Build compelling, data‑led arguments to support the concepts your team develops, with a view to rapidly proving or disproving their viability.
- Challenge conventional thinking and present bold ideas aligned with LBG’s mission and customer/stakeholder needs.
- Develop and iterate concepts with clear value propositions and a path to commercialisation.
What you’ll need
- Visionary Thinking: a creative force with the ability to generate and champion bold, transformative ideas.
- Analytical and Strategic Rigour: combine imagination with sharp analytical thinking to identify opportunities and shape them into actionable paths forward, including business model generation.
- Thriving in Complexity: rather than being told the right answer, you are ready to explore ambiguous or unstructured environments and bring clarity to undefined challenges.
- Fostering Collaboration: bring people together to co‑create, driving alignment and inspiration across teams.
- Customer‑centricity: understand and empathise with customer needs, crafting ideas that deliver both user desirability and tangible value.
- Hands‑on Leadership: run your own ship, carrying a small team through twists and turns and enlisting support from stakeholders outside the innovation arena.
Useful experience
- Experience in strategy/innovation consulting, corporate innovation, product management, fintech, VC, or growth strategy roles.
- Experience of successfully identifying and developing new business opportunities or ventures.
- Understanding of innovation frameworks and approaches, including Lean Start‑up.
- Experience facilitating cross‑functional teams and driving consensus in complex organisational environments.
- Ability to translate market insights into actionable business strategies.
It would be great if you also had
- Familiarity with financial services, fintech, and the emerging technology landscape.
- A portfolio of successful innovation projects demonstrating impact on business growth.
- Comfort working with market research, qualitative insights and quantitative analysis.
- A track record of building strong relationships with external partners and ecosystem players.
Benefits
- A generous pension contribution of up to 15%.
- An annual bonus award, subject to Group performance.
- Share schemes including free shares.
- Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping.
- 30 days’ holiday, with bank holidays on top.
- A range of wellbeing initiatives and generous parental leave policies.
About working for us
We focus on inclusion every day, building an organisation that reflects modern society and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We want our people to feel that they belong and can be their best, regardless of background, identity or culture. We were one of the first major organisations to set goals on diversity in senior roles, create a menopause health package, and a dedicated Working with Cancer initiative. We especially welcome applications from under‑represented groups. We are disability confident and will make reasonable adjustments to our recruitment processes if needed.
Required skills: Cross‑functional team leadership, data analysis, market research, product management, strategy, user research, fintech.
Required languages: English.
We keep your data safe. We ask for confidential or sensitive information only after a formal invitation to interview or an accepted verbal offer, and we will always explain what we need and why.
We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the customers and communities we serve, creating an inclusive workplace where all colleagues can make a real difference.
Innovation Venture Lead employer: Lloyds Banking Group
Join us in Manchester as an Innovation Venture Lead, where you'll be part of a transformative journey shaping finance for good. We offer a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and creativity, alongside generous benefits such as a substantial pension contribution, flexible working options, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. With ample opportunities for professional growth and a focus on employee wellbeing, we strive to create an environment where you can thrive and make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Venture Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at the company you're eyeing. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could set you apart.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company’s recent innovations and challenges. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who’s genuinely interested in shaping their future.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your visionary thinking and hands-on leadership can drive innovation. Keep it concise but impactful—make them remember you!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Venture Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Visionary Thinking:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your ability to generate bold and transformative ideas. We want to see how you can think outside the box and bring fresh perspectives to the table!
Be Data-Driven:We love a good data-led argument! In your application, include examples of how you've used data to support your ideas or concepts. This will show us that you can combine creativity with analytical thinking.
Emphasise Collaboration Skills:Since this role involves leading cross-functional teams, it's crucial to demonstrate your collaboration skills. Share experiences where you've brought people together to co-create and drive alignment across different teams.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application specifically for this role. Highlight relevant experience in strategy, innovation, or fintech, and don’t forget to apply through our website to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lloyds Banking Group
✨Understand the Innovation Landscape
Before your interview, dive deep into the latest trends in fintech and innovation. Familiarise yourself with key players, emerging technologies, and recent case studies. This will not only show your passion for the field but also help you articulate how you can contribute to the company's vision.
✨Showcase Your Visionary Thinking
Prepare to discuss bold ideas you've championed in the past. Think about how you can present these concepts in a way that aligns with the company's mission. Use examples that highlight your ability to think creatively and strategically, especially in complex environments.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Spirit
Since the role involves leading cross-functional teams, be ready to share experiences where you've successfully brought diverse groups together. Highlight specific instances where your collaboration led to innovative solutions or improved outcomes, showcasing your hands-on leadership style.
✨Prepare Data-Driven Arguments
As the role requires building compelling, data-led arguments, gather relevant metrics or insights from your previous projects. Be prepared to discuss how you validated concepts through research and analytics, and how this approach can be applied to future innovations within the company.
