At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative aircraft seating projects from concept to certification.
- Company: Join Unum Aircraft Seating, a forward-thinking company redefining business class.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, early finishes on Fridays, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Inclusive culture valuing diversity and offering excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of aircraft seating in a collaborative, growth-focused environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in product development, ideally in aerospace or regulated industries.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
At Unum Aircraft Seating, we’re redefining business class with smart, adaptable seating designed for comfort, reliability, and on-time delivery. Culture matters to us. We’re looking for thoughtful, respectful team players who lead with integrity, collaborate openly, and help create a positive environment for everyone. As Unum enters an exciting phase of growth, we are seeking a Head of New Product Development to shape and drive the creation of innovative aircraft seating solutions. This role will play a pivotal part in transforming ideas into certified products, leading cross-functional teams, and ensuring new developments deliver exceptional value for both customers and the business.
Why Join Unum?
- Be part of our growing, ambitious business with a startup mentality and a culture built on collaboration, sustainability, and quality.
- Competitive salary and benefits including: 25 days holiday + bank holidays, 1pm finish on Fridays, Pension scheme, Electric car & cycle-to-work schemes, Employee discounts.
What you’ll do as our Head of New Product Development
- Lead the end-to-end New Product Development (NPD) strategy from concept through to certification and entry into service.
- Drive innovation across aircraft seating products, balancing passenger experience, manufacturability, certification, and commercial objectives.
- Build, lead, and inspire a high-performing multidisciplinary NPD team across engineering, design, and programme delivery.
- Own the product development roadmap and ensure alignment with company growth objectives and customer requirements.
- Work cross-functionally with Engineering, Commercial, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Certification teams to successfully deliver programmes.
- Create a culture of accountability, collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement.
- Oversee product lifecycle management, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
- Lead technical and strategic decision-making across new product initiatives, managing risks, trade-offs, and priorities.
- Ensure all products meet stringent aerospace certification and regulatory requirements.
- Drive efficient NPD processes that balance innovation, speed, compliance, and operational excellence.
- Develop strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and external partners to support programme success and future innovation.
- Introduce and monitor KPIs to track development performance, product quality, cost, and delivery reliability.
- Champion innovation in materials, mechanisms, sustainability, and passenger comfort.
What we’re looking for
- Proven leadership experience within New Product Development, ideally in aerospace or another highly regulated industry.
- Strong track record of delivering complex products through full lifecycle development (NPD/NPI).
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in fast-paced, growth-focused environments.
- Deep understanding of product development, manufacturing, certification, and programme delivery.
- Strong commercial and customer mindset with the ability to balance innovation and business objectives.
- Ability to operate strategically while remaining close enough to support technical decision-making.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and building high-performing teams.
Nice to have:
- Aircraft seating or cabin interiors experience.
- Familiarity with CAD tools (e.g. SolidWorks).
- Experience with testing, validation, and certification processes.
- Exposure to lean, agile, or startup-style environments.
Ready to lead the future of aircraft seating innovation? Apply now – we’d love to hear from you. Unum Aircraft Seating is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where diversity is valued and respected. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Proof of eligibility will be required prior to commencing employment. At Unum, we’re dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for all applicants and a first-class candidate experience. If you require any reasonable adjustments during your interview process, please let us know.
Head of New Product Development in Crawley employer: Unum Aircraft Seating
At Unum Aircraft Seating, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Head of New Product Development, you will be at the forefront of transforming ideas into cutting-edge aircraft seating solutions, all while enjoying competitive benefits such as a generous holiday allowance, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to sustainability. Join us in Crawley and be part of a dynamic team that values integrity, creativity, and continuous improvement, ensuring your professional growth in an exciting phase of our business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of New Product Development in Crawley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the aerospace industry, especially those who work at Unum or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by diving deep into Unum's products and values. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely excited about what we do and how you can contribute to our innovative journey.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams and driven product development in the past. We want to hear about your successes and how you overcame challenges.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team and being part of our exciting growth phase.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of New Product Development in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of New Product Development role. Highlight your relevant experience in NPD, especially in aerospace or regulated industries, and show how your skills align with our mission at Unum.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see your proven leadership experience! Share examples of how you've led multidisciplinary teams and driven innovation in past roles. This will help us understand how you can inspire and build high-performing teams at Unum.
Communicate Clearly:Strong communication is key in this role. Make sure your application reflects your ability to convey complex ideas simply and effectively. Use clear language and structure to demonstrate your stakeholder management skills.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Unum Aircraft Seating
✨Know Your NPD Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the New Product Development process, especially in the aerospace sector. Brush up on your knowledge of certification requirements and how they impact product development. This will show that you understand the complexities of the role and can navigate them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership experience and how you've successfully led multidisciplinary teams in the past. Think of specific examples where you inspired your team or drove innovation. This will help demonstrate that you can build and lead high-performing teams at Unum.
✨Align with Company Culture
Unum values collaboration, integrity, and a positive environment. Be ready to share how you embody these values in your work. Discuss instances where you’ve fostered a collaborative atmosphere or contributed to a positive team culture, as this will resonate well with their ethos.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions related to product lifecycle management and risk assessment in NPD. Brush up on your knowledge of CAD tools and any relevant testing and validation processes. Being prepared for these questions will showcase your technical expertise and readiness for the role.
