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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead digital innovation and AI strategy, driving impactful change across the organisation.
- Company: Join a forward-looking institution focused on transforming education through technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and the chance to influence real change.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education while collaborating with talented teams and making a lasting impact.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in digital innovation and AI, with strong leadership and communication skills required.
- Other info: This is a high-profile role with opportunities for significant professional growth.
Head of Digital Innovation and AI
2 Year Fixed Term Contract
Hybrid – once a week in the Southampton Office
70,000 – 74,500
Are you ready to lead a bold digital future powered by AI, data, and innovation?
We\’re seeking an exceptional Head of Digital Innovation and AI to play a pivotal leadership role in transforming how education, research, and enterprise are delivered. You\’ll shape and implement a forward-thinking strategy that drives measurable impact across the organisation – enhancing experience, boosting performance, and future-proofing operations.
This role offers a unique opportunity to influence senior decision-makers, guide strategic investment, and embed a culture of innovation at scale. If you\’re motivated by purpose, digital transformation, and leading real change through technology, this is the challenge for you.
Your Impact
As Head of Digital Innovation and AI, you will:
- Develop and lead the organisation-wide digital innovation and AI strategy, aligned with long-term goals and outcomes.
- Champion new technologies, introducing agile ways of working that unlock early value and drive continuous improvement.
- Lead a specialist team, fostering a high-performing, collaborative environment that encourages experimentation and digital curiosity.
- Use data and evidence to influence senior leadership, ensuring innovation initiatives are impactful, measurable, and strategically aligned.
- Work cross-functionally with academic and professional teams, ensuring digital initiatives support real-world needs and elevate the staff and student experience.
- Build meaningful partnerships – internally and externally – to stay ahead of emerging trends and seize new opportunities.
What You\’ll Bring
We\’re looking for a strategic, credible leader with:
- Extensive experience in digital innovation, AI, data, and automation, ideally in complex or highly regulated environments.
- A strong understanding of agile methodologies, service design, and emerging technology trends.
- The ability to drive change at scale, aligning technology with organisational goals to deliver value and transformation.
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with a proven track record of engaging senior stakeholders.
- A collaborative, inclusive leadership style that motivates teams and builds digital capability across an organisation.
- A relevant postgraduate qualification (or equivalent experience). Understanding of the education sector is desirable, but not essential.
Why Apply?
This is a high-profile, high-impact leadership role in a forward-looking, digitally ambitious institution. You\’ll have the platform, resources, and support to:
- Shape a long-term innovation agenda
- Lead exciting projects in AI, data, and automation
- Influence at the highest levels of decision-making
- Collaborate with talented colleagues across a diverse organisation
- Make a lasting difference to how people work, learn, and innovate
If you have the skills required then please send your CV to (url removed)
Spectrum IT Recruitment (South) Limited is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.
Head of Innovation and AI employer: Spectrum IT Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Spectrum IT Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Innovation and AI
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the digital innovation and AI space. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or local meetups to connect with like-minded individuals and potential colleagues. This can help you gain insights into the latest trends and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your thought leadership by sharing your insights on platforms like LinkedIn. Write articles or posts about digital transformation, AI, and innovation strategies. This not only demonstrates your expertise but also helps you get noticed by decision-makers in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching StudySmarter's current digital initiatives and AI projects. Understanding our goals and challenges will allow you to tailor your responses and demonstrate how your experience aligns with our vision.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with our content on social media and our website. Comment on posts, share relevant articles, and participate in discussions. This shows your genuine interest in our organisation and can help you stand out as a proactive candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Innovation and AI
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience in digital innovation, AI, and data. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive change and align technology with organisational goals.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your leadership style and how it aligns with the role. Emphasise your strategic vision for digital innovation and your experience in fostering collaborative environments.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your understanding of agile methodologies and emerging technology trends. Mention any relevant postgraduate qualifications or equivalent experience that supports your application.
Showcase Communication Skills: Provide examples of how you've successfully engaged senior stakeholders in previous roles. This will demonstrate your exceptional communication and influencing skills, which are crucial for this position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Spectrum IT Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
Prepare to discuss your vision for digital innovation and AI in education. Highlight how your previous experiences align with the role's objectives, and be ready to present ideas on how to implement a forward-thinking strategy that drives measurable impact.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to share examples of how you've led teams in the past. Emphasise your collaborative and inclusive leadership style, and how it has motivated teams to embrace digital transformation and innovation.
✨Engage with Data-Driven Insights
Since the role involves using data to influence senior leadership, come equipped with examples of how you've used data and evidence to drive decision-making and measure the success of innovation initiatives in your previous roles.
✨Foster Cross-Functional Collaboration
Discuss your experience working cross-functionally with various teams. Highlight specific projects where you successfully aligned digital initiatives with real-world needs, enhancing both staff and student experiences.
