Head of Innnovation

Lead on immersive innovation for a world-renowned hotel & country estate. Drive the development of unique, one-of-a-kind VR & digital experiences. This is an integral role for the continued success of their digital & immersive experiences, requiring a unique combination of expertise across research, engineering, project management and team leadership. Please note that this is a full-time, on-site position in Bruton, Somerset (UK), with travel required.

The Newt in Somerset is a new & unique luxury destination, named as a ‘Top 50’ hotel globally and already attracting recognition at the highest level. Their 300-year-old estate is complete with woodland, lush gardens and breath-taking views, welcoming guests from all over the world. A special aspect of The Newt’s unrivalled offering is their digital & immersive experiences. Their state-of-the-art systems are used in their Roman Villa, to simulate daily life 1,700 years ago; in their ‘Story of Gardening’ museum, to offer interactive VR tours of multi-continental garden spaces; and in their ‘Beezantium’, to illuminate the life of bees. Last, but certainly not least, at ‘The Story of Emily’ in Cornwall, where they simulate war in a truly immersive way.

Their hotel & estate is a home-from-home, where the team deliver outstanding service in informal surroundings. Gardens, orchards, museums and treetop walkways inspire, whilst roaring fires and their wellbeing spa offer tranquility. The perfect partnership of deep tech and the great outdoors!

This role sits in the Engineering team, reporting into the Chief Engineer. This department leads on numerous aspects of support across the business; from supporting the company’s assets (buildings, digital architecture, IT infrastructure, mechanical plant & vehicles), to horizon scanning for new & emerging technology to ensure that they continue to stay ahead of their competitors in offering a truly unique, immersive experience. The Head of Innovation is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and maintenance of state-of-the-art technology and assets within the organisation. The successful candidate will travel the globe to identify, procure, implement and operate advanced video and audio systems, including virtual reality. This technology is used in the aforementioned areas within their wider digital suite, so as you can see, there is a lot of variety! As well as helping The Newt, you will play a key role in collaborating with their sister companies in South Africa and Athens on their exhibitions. This role ensures that emerging or existing systems meet business needs, are reliable, and are aligned with the organisation's forward-thinking approach to digitisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Developing and managing electronic systems and architecture for their various interactive exhibits, buildings and infrastructure across a wide and varied estate. This includes everything, from their luxury hotels through to their museums, ecommerce and state-of-the-art food production facilities.
• Project Management: Plan projects, prepare documentation, manage budgets, and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. Typically, this will include the investigation & design of new technology or capabilities, through to implementation and continued improvement.
• Testing and Maintenance: Overseeing and conducting tests to ensure the functionality and safety of electronic systems, diagnosing issues, and performing maintenance tasks.
• Collaboration: Working with other engineers, IT specialists, and technicians to design and improve technology and systems across the estate.
• Compliance: Ensuring that all products and systems meet safety and regulatory requirements.

What skills & experience will I need?

• Educational Background: An MSc in Electronics Engineering, or a related field, is essential.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in various software packages, understanding of electronic systems and architecture, and familiarity with safety standards.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyse, evaluate, design, develop, integrate, debug and test real-time advanced digital exhibits and user experiences.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills for preparing reports and presenting findings.
• Thirst for Knowledge: Learn constantly, educate others, dive into new areas with unfamiliar technologies, and embrace the ambiguity of digital architecture problem solving.
• Collaboration: Ability to collaborate in a team environment across multiple engineering and non-engineering disciplines, making the architectural trade-offs required to rapidly deliver digital technologies.

What do I get in return?

The benefits list at The Newt is very long. Here are some of the more unique highlights:

• Complimentary use of their spa, gym, swimming pools and wellbeing classes.
• Discounted hotel stays, shopping, restaurants & family-centric perks.
• Free meals daily, with fresh produce cooked by their on-site chefs.
• Free partner garden access, including The Eden Project and Kew Gardens.
• Healthy pension scheme, generous holiday and a bunch of wellbeing support.

This is coupled with a team that knows how to have fun, with regular team engagement activities & squad events. They are very culture-driven, and they are all lovely.

How do I apply?

If you would like to be considered, please send your application to joe@enable-technology.io. The first step of the process will be a short screening with the enable Technology team, before a more comprehensive technical interview, on-site with The Newt’s expert engineering department. All applications made directly to The Newt will be sent to the enable Technology team for consideration and initial qualification.