Design & Innovation Lead - Public Sector

Design & Innovation Lead – Public Sector

Torchbox, Greater Bristol Area, United Kingdom.

All salaries listed on our roles are based on UK salary bands.

We partner with public sector and mission-driven organisations to navigate complex challenges and deliver meaningful, measurable change. As a full-service digital agency, this role will work across a wide range of projects, including:

• Interaction, product, and service design
• Adaptive strategies for organisational and systems change
• Strategic and speculative design
• Content and creative strategy
• Enabling implementation through technology, data, and digital tools
• Artificial Intelligence – from strategy and execution through to capability building and adoption

The Role

We’re looking for a Design Innovation Lead to shape creative strategies and solutions that help public sector organisations deliver real impact. You’ll be part of our Design & Innovation practice, working primarily within our Public Sector team to tackle some of the sector’s most pressing challenges. Collaborating with people and organisations committed to making things better for everyone, you’ll lead work that delivers sustainable, meaningful outcomes for both people and the planet.

What you’ll do

Sense‑make and shape innovation strategies

You’ll work closely with our public sector clients to navigate complex, messy challenges – from fast‑moving technologies like AI to multi‑agency service design and longer‑term policy transformation. You’ll co‑create adaptive strategies that combine research, service design, content strategy, data, and organisational insight – all in service of inclusive, systemic outcomes such as better digital access, interoperability between services, and stronger connections between government and the people they serve. You’ll champion bold, practical, and future‑focused approaches that meet people where they are and help shape what comes next.

Lead with collaboration

• Facilitating inclusive, energising workshops with clients, teams, and communities
• Coaching and inspiring designers, researchers, strategists, and delivery leads
• Working closely with our Client Partners to shape strategic, well‑scoped proposals
• Ensuring alignment between ambition and delivery, balancing vision with pragmatism

Shape responsible and participatory approaches

• Centre community voices in decision‑making
• Prioritise responsible innovation and accessibility
• Bring together experts to co‑design context‑specific strategies
• Build relationships across sectors – from charities to enterprise – to drive alignment and shared goals

Support organisational change and capability building

• Guide teams through organisational change and systems‑level transformation
• Identify where emerging technologies (like AI) can unlock value – ethically and effectively
• Shape adaptive roadmaps that keep organisations resilient and responsive

Shape the work, pitch, and raise our profile

• Collaborating with Client Partners to shape compelling, values‑led proposals
• Sharing your thinking through talks, blog posts, or sector events
• Contributing to case studies and storytelling that reflect our measurable impact
• Helping us develop new services and business models that attract mission‑aligned partners

About you

You’re a strategic thinker with a creative mindset who thrives on solving complex problems and inspiring teams through Design & Innovation.

• Experience: Demonstrable, hands‑on practice that spans design, innovation, brand, product, or service design roles (public sector or agency experience welcomed).
• Expertise: Deep understanding of Design & Innovation, spanning research, multidisciplinary service design, user‑centred and whole‑life approaches; ability to connect across disciplines to create the best outcomes.
• Skills: Strong facilitator, relationship builder and communicator, experienced in leading workshops and guiding clients through complex challenges.
• Mindset: Collaborative, open, and adaptive – able to bridge insights across sectors while staying firmly rooted in the public sector space. Naturally curious and always learning.
• Knowledge: Solid grasp of AI and emerging technologies, Design & Innovation methods, and the considerations and trade‑offs that accompany these tools.
• Values: Commitment to co‑creation, inclusivity, and ensuring people, planet and communities remain at the heart of our work.

What we offer

• Co‑ownership of Torchbox, shape our success and share in rewards from our equitable profit‑share scheme, socials, voice groups and shared learning experiences.
• Opportunity to work remotely, hybrid or from our office in Bristol.
• Collaborate with clients doing rewarding, purposeful work.
• Competitive salary with annual reviews aligned to inflation and performance, plus profit‑share bonuses.
• Ethical pension scheme with a 6% contribution from Torchbox.
• 27 days holiday plus public holidays, with the option to buy or sell additional days.
• Training budget to discover new ideas.
• Paid time off to volunteer for causes that matter.
• Health scheme and access to mental health support.
• Electric car salary sacrifice scheme (UK only).
• Wellness programme, cycle‑to‑work scheme, and other benefits that support you and the environment.
• Socials – both virtual and in‑person, weekly free veggie lunches in the offices, and many other perks we love to share.

The money bit

£55,000 – £65,000 per annum + a tax‑free co‑owner bonus & profit share.

• Tax‑free Co‑Owner Bonus: Guaranteed £3,600 per year, paid quarterly, pro‑rata to start date.
• Profit Share Scheme: Based on company performance (average 14.5% of salary per annum), pro‑rata to start date.

The application process

Closing date: Wednesday 5th November 2025.

The application process consists of two stages:

• 30‑minute chemistry & connect call: We’ll ask about your experience and skills and give you a chance to learn about Torchbox.
• 90‑minute final stage interview: Panel interview with 2‑3 team members, competency‑based questions, a live challenge, and a short presentation of your most relevant work.

Everyone is welcome

We’re committed to being an inclusive employer from recruitment to everyday life.

If you need help or have questions – give us a shout at recruitment@torchbox.com or leave us a voice message on +44 (0) 1608 811 870. No agencies, please.