At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI innovation to enhance heritage funding and improve decision-making.
- Company: Join the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the UK's largest heritage funder.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a commitment to inclusivity.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on heritage accessibility using cutting-edge AI technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in AI integration and a passion for heritage.
The predicted salary is between 50313 - 59423 £ per year.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK's heritage, with a vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. Our mission is to support and champion the UK's heritage and demonstrate the transformative potential of National Lottery funding through delivering our new strategy Heritage 2033.
We are currently recruiting for a full-time AI Innovation Manager on a fixed term contract (21 months) based in any of the Heritage Fund's offices in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester or Nottingham (Hybrid Working). The primary purpose of this post is to help deliver our plan to adopt and embed the use of artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly over the next three years, while building the governance, capability and confidence needed for responsible adoption.
The AI Innovation Manager will support the responsible exploration, adoption and integration of AI across the Heritage Fund, helping to deliver the ambitions of Heritage 2033 by identifying, prioritising and supporting AI use cases that improve grant delivery, productivity, capability and decision-making, whilst ensuring safe and responsible adoption.
The role has two main components:
- Act as a central point of expertise and coordination to support delivery of our 3-year plan for AI, maintaining oversight of AI activity across the organisation, supporting governance and assurance processes, and coordinating the development and use of new AI tools, services and products.
- Stimulate innovation, increase ambition and accelerate adoption of AI by identifying and prioritising use cases by value, feasibility, readiness and risk, while building organisational capability and ensuring that AI technologies are deployed ethically and effectively.
Overall, the purpose of the role is to help make the Heritage Fund a measurably more AI-enabled and capable organisation within two years, demonstrated through increased adoption, improved staff capability, evaluated pilots, measurable benefits and strengthened governance.
If you are excited about helping ensure that heritage is inclusive and accessible to everyone, for now and future generations, then we want to hear from you.
Applications close on 6 September 2026 at 23:59. Interviews are expected to take place on 24 September 2026.
Our Values
Our Values and Behaviours sit at the heart of our work and are central to how we recruit. How you demonstrate our Values is just as important to us as your skills and experience:
- Inclusive of all aspects of heritage, people and communities
- Ambitious for our people, communities and heritage
- Collaborative by working and learning together
- Trusted for our integrity, expertise and judgement
Flexible Working
The National Lottery Heritage Fund champions a flexible approach to working where this supports our business needs. We have formally adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning that most employees will work from their contracted Heritage Fund office twice a week at minimum.
Disability Confident Employer
We guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for every vacancy. We always endeavour to make reasonable adjustments and special requirements can be discussed and arranged before an interview. The National Lottery Heritage Fund pledges to provide an inclusive working and learning environment for our people which prioritises fairness, equality, diversity and inclusion as well as dignity and respect for all.
AI Innovation Manager in Birmingham employer: The National Heritage Memorial Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is an exceptional employer that prioritises inclusivity, collaboration, and employee growth. With a flexible hybrid working model across its Cardiff, Leeds, and Manchester offices, employees enjoy a supportive work culture that values their contributions while providing opportunities for professional development. Joining our team means being part of a mission-driven organisation dedicated to making a meaningful impact on heritage and communities throughout the UK.
Contact Details:
The National Heritage Memorial Fund Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Innovation Manager in Birmingham
✨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 The National Heritage Memorial Fund.
✨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 The National Heritage Memorial Fund.
We think you need these skills to ace AI Innovation Manager in Birmingham
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 The National Heritage Memorial Fund 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 The National Heritage Memorial Fund 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 The National Heritage Memorial Fund
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at The National Heritage Memorial Fund, 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 The National Heritage Memorial Fund 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 The National Heritage Memorial Fund, 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.
