At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative aircraft seating projects from concept to certification and delivery.
- Company: Join Unum Aircraft Seating, a forward-thinking company redefining business class comfort.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, electric car schemes, and a competitive salary.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative culture focused on sustainability and quality.
- Why this job: Shape the future of aircraft seating and drive impactful innovations.
- 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. 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, Electric car & cycle‑to‑work schemes.
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 employer: Unum Aircraft Seating
At Unum Aircraft Seating, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. Located in Crawley, our hybrid work model offers flexibility while you lead a dynamic team in developing cutting-edge aircraft seating solutions. With competitive benefits such as 25 days holiday, electric car schemes, and a commitment to employee growth, we provide a supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of New Product Development
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and values, especially how they align with your experience in New Product Development. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they're about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams and driven innovation in past roles. Highlighting your ability to inspire and manage cross-functional teams will resonate well with hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our team at Unum Aircraft Seating.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of New Product Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of New Product Development role. Highlight your leadership experience in NPD, especially in regulated industries like aerospace, to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for innovation and how you can contribute to our mission at Unum. Be sure to mention specific examples of how you've driven successful product development in the past.
Showcase Your Team Spirit:We value collaboration, so don’t forget to highlight your experience leading multidisciplinary teams. Share stories that demonstrate your ability to inspire and build high-performing teams, as this is key to our culture.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Unum Aircraft Seating
✨Know Your NPD Inside Out
Make sure you understand the entire New Product Development process, especially in the aerospace sector. Familiarise yourself with the key stages from concept to certification, and be ready to discuss how you've successfully navigated these in your past roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head of New Product Development, you'll need to inspire and lead multidisciplinary teams. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style, focusing on collaboration, accountability, and how you've fostered a positive team environment in previous positions.
✨Balance Innovation with Practicality
Unum values innovation but also needs to meet commercial objectives. Be prepared to discuss how you've balanced creative ideas with manufacturability and compliance in your past projects. This will show that you can think strategically while being grounded in reality.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about technical decision-making and risk management in product development. Brush up on your knowledge of aerospace certification processes and be ready to explain how you've managed trade-offs and priorities in complex projects.
