At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative media projects and develop cutting-edge solutions for retail partnerships.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at SMG Axis, where innovation meets collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, wellbeing fund, learning opportunities, and flexible working.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of growth, diversity, and empowerment at SMG.
- Why this job: Shape the future of media and drive impactful change in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in digital media innovation and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are looking for an Innovation Director to join our SMG Axis team. In this role, you will lead the end-to-end development of digital and physical media innovation, shaping and delivering a forward-thinking media roadmap for one of our most influential retail partnerships. You will drive new capabilities from ideation through to deployment, working across teams and partners to unlock commercial value and keep our offering at the cutting edge of connected commerce.
Responsibilities
- Developing and leading the innovation roadmap across digital and physical media channels
- Identifying and delivering new media capabilities that leverage first-party data and emerging technologies
- Managing the end-to-end innovation pipeline from ideation through to commercial delivery
- Collaborating with retailers, adtech partners, publishers, and internal teams to bring new solutions to life
- Establishing governance for new media development and keeping stakeholders aligned and informed
- Acting as the bridge across Media, Tech, Insight, Strategy, Creative, and Partnership teams
- Leading and developing a team, including coaching, performance management, and capability building
- Building strong relationships with both retailer partners and branded clients, delivering solutions that work for both
- Working closely with Insights teams to evaluate campaign performance and evolve measurement approaches
- Contributing to wider business initiatives such as training, marketing, and talent development
Qualifications
- Strong experience in digital media innovation, ideally from an agency or media background
- Deep understanding of first-party data and its application across media, adtech, and martech ecosystems
- A proven track record of developing and delivering new media capabilities
- Confidence driving innovation agendas across a business and influencing senior stakeholders
- Experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing teams
- Strong client-facing experience with excellent stakeholder management skills
- Commercial acumen with the ability to deliver viable, scalable solutions
- The ability to manage complex projects across multiple partners and disciplines
- A proactive mindset with a strong drive to succeed
Culture & Values
If you love variety, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and embrace change with energy, this could be your right role. We move fast, adapt quickly, and like to challenge each other. We're looking for people who enjoy the buzz of change, the satisfaction of building something better, and the joy of working with a close-knit, values-driven team. At SMG, we hire for the future, which is fast-moving and changing shape. Do you have the potential to help shape our business? We're looking for brilliant, diverse talent who want to grow with us — people who are curious, ambitious, and eager to learn, whether as specialists or across teams. Our culture is everything. If you're someone who stays honest, stays hungry, stays foolish, and has fun, you'll feel right at home here. We value those who take ownership of their growth and bring fresh perspectives. That's why we're committed to equity, inclusion, and building a place where everyone feels empowered to grow. At SMG, it's not just about filling a role but building the future together.
Benefits
- 10% discretionary bonus
- £1,800 yearly wellbeing fund (on top of your salary!)
- Free Headspace subscription
- £500 yearly 'Learning Fund' for learning
- 4 extra Wellbeing Days off per year
- 4pm finishes every Friday
- Flexible and hybrid working
Innovation Director in Bradford employer: SMG
At SMG, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture. As an Innovation Director, you will not only lead cutting-edge media innovation but also benefit from our commitment to employee growth through tailored learning funds, flexible working arrangements, and a strong emphasis on wellbeing. Join a close-knit team that thrives on collaboration and creativity, where your contributions will help shape the future of connected commerce in a fast-paced retail environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Director in Bradford
✨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 SMG.
✨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 SMG.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Director in Bradford
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 SMG 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 SMG 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 SMG
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at SMG, 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 SMG 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 SMG, 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.
