Innovation Manager in Hucknall

About the role

Reporting to the Head of Innovation, the purpose of the role is to create, drive and deliver new and innovative products and propositions, predominantly for the Early Years and SEND market, with an overall approach to inclusive environments. You will research global key curriculum learning requirements to support delivery in schools and settings, supporting teachers and bringing about creative inclusive learning experiences. You will thoroughly understand the global market and forthcoming initiatives and funding landscapes within the sector, working with current and establishing new advisors, influencers and opinion formers. This will enable you to develop global products and propositions that will be key to high‑quality, inclusive education. Although predominantly based in Hucknall, Nottingham, flexibility is a must as travel is required both in the UK and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Research: have a clear understanding of the global landscapes within both Early Years and SEND. Have a clear understanding of what is required in a typical Early Years environment and what schools and EY settings will need to create high‑quality, inclusive education.
• Idea Generation: research, create and revamp resources that will be essential to a child’s learning experience globally, and work with the NPD Delivery and Quality teams to ensure that we deliver projects on time, inputting on the design, functionality and aesthetics with all proactive quality inputs that are legally required.
• Customer Trialling: ensure that our products will land with the impact you intend and that they are fit for purpose.
• Partnerships: develop and nurture your own relationships with consultants, advisors and thought leaders so they can make valuable input into your research and NPD.
• Competitive Landscape: understand the competitive landscape, competitors’ propositions, products, pricing and direction of travel.
• Market Alignment: be expected to spend a good proportion of time out with customers, partners and at events, driving your market knowledge and understanding the outlook and problems of our customers that in turn you will help to solve.
• Product Enrichment: work with the Product Management team, help to create collateral to sell our resources globally – for example copy, imagery and videography – and collaborate with the Content team to formulate content requirements at product level.
• Product Awareness: participate in our Product Showcases to wider TTS teams, and always work with our Product Management teams so everyone is aware and can feed into new product launches.

Teams you will work with

You will work in the extended NPD Team, working with the NPD Delivery to ensure timely delivery of projects, ensuring we keep to budget and all aspects of the required design. You will work with our QA team in terms of ensuring all our products meet the legislation they require to meet with a proactive approach to quality assurance. You will have a seamless connection with the Content team, collaborating on content requirements and timelines. You will collaborate with our Product Management teams ensuring they are aware of all projects going through the pipeline and that they have valuable input into specifications and expected delivery dates. You will deliver the pipeline to our Commercial and Marketing teams ensuring they are aware of all coming launches – indicating key launches within, you will also work with these teams on our research program, proposition building and content expectations. You will have a lighter touch with other stakeholders in terms of showcasing our propositions and launches.

Skills and Experience

You must have either experience working in the early years sector or equivalent, or Product Management/NPD experience. You must possess credible communication and collaboration skills as you will need to liaise and influence with multiple stakeholders. Must be able to research a certain topic and apply areas of opportunity based on research. Must demonstrate critical thinking and problem‑solving skills. Can manage many different projects at any given time and be able to prioritise effectively. Possess the skills to present on various, for example research or new product showcase, sometimes presenting at an external event. Must possess commercial awareness of business requirements.

What’s in it for you?

RM offers a flexible working arrangement through My Work Blend @RM, allowing you to work in the office, at home, other offices, customer sites, distribution centres or on the move. We encourage you to discuss arrangements for this role with your potential line manager during the recruitment process. RM is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all permanent and temporary staff to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks. As well as a competitive salary and a core benefits package which includes private medical healthcare, life assurance, a Group Personal Pension Plan with higher contribution levels, some roles are also eligible for a performance‑related bonus. There are lots of voluntary benefits – you could buy additional annual leave, join our dental plan, sign up for a health assessment, or take part in our cycle to work scheme. You could even earn yourself an extra bonus for successfully recommending a friend or family member for a position within RM. To better reflect the society that we serve, we’re committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. To achieve this, we create teams of talented people from different backgrounds and experiences and strive to be a business where our people can bring their whole selves to work. We also want to make the recruitment process as inclusive as possible for everyone. Should you require additional support with your application or through the interview process, please contact us at recruitment@rm.com. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.