At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product innovation strategies and connect insights with impactful decisions.
- Company: Join Zappi, a leader in consumer insights and innovation development.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, full-time role, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Engage with industry leaders and drive meaningful change in product innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of innovation in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Expertise in CPG or QSR with strong strategic and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 135000 - 145000 £ per year.
Zappi is looking for a senior product innovation, consumer insights, and innovation development expert with deep experience in CPG or QSR to help strengthen our authority, differentiation, and commercial success in the product innovation space.
This person will serve as both:
- A trusted expert, educator, and industry advocate externally
- A strategic, cross‑functional SME and connective layer internally
The role is designed for someone who has helped major brands identify opportunities, develop stronger concepts, reduce risk, and translate consumer insight into stronger product decisions. They should be credible with senior Insights, Innovation, R&D, Marketing, Brand, Commercial, and Strategy leaders, and be able to connect methodological rigor with a modern, scalable approach to innovation research.
The ideal candidate will bring deep credibility in either CPG or QSR. Experience across both is a plus, not a requirement.
- Bring deep expertise in CPG or QSR innovation ecosystems.
- Act as a senior subject matter expert on concept testing, innovation development, optimization, pricing, pack testing, validation and commercialization workflows.
- Understand how large enterprise innovation organisations operate, including process, politics, decision‑making and organisational pressures.
- Stay ahead of emerging trends in AI, synthetic respondents, agile innovation and connected learning systems.
- Function as a trusted internal advisor across the organisation.
- Work closely with Sales, Customer, Product, Product Marketing, Marketing and Research Science teams on strategic narratives and customer engagements.
- Help Product Marketing build messaging, frameworks, demos, POVs, enablement, competitive guidance and customer‑facing materials when expertise‑level knowledge is needed.
- Support enterprise opportunities as a strategic expert and advisor, speaking directly to customers and prospects when senior innovation expertise is needed.
- Improve how Zappi articulates innovation systems versus point solutions.
- Own the competitive intelligence programme for product innovation, translating market, competitor, customer and industry shifts into internal guidance and external‑facing content.
- Develop a visible external voice in the innovation and insights space.
- Create thought leadership on AI and synthetic research, modern innovation systems, iterative concept development, connected learning and balancing speed, rigor and risk.
- Speak at conferences, webinars, customer events and industry forums.
- Engage with analysts, strategic customers and industry communities.
- Co‑create customer education materials and programmes with Customer Marketing.
- Translate customer realities into actionable product and GTM recommendations.
- Partner closely with Product, Research Science and Commercialisation teams.
- Align with Product Marketing, Product and the VP of New Product Commercialisation to pressure‑test emerging AI and synthetic offerings from both methodological and commercial perspectives.
- Serve as a second voice outside of Product to help ensure product direction aligns with real‑world customer workflows and unmet needs.
What success looks like:
- Zappi has a stronger, clearer and more differentiated point of view in AI‑enabled innovation and modern innovation systems.
- GTM teams are more confident and effective in innovation conversations, with stronger discovery, sharper positioning and better objection handling.
- Zappi’s innovation offerings are easier for Sales and Marketing to communicate.
Senior Director, Industry Strategy (Innovation) in London employer: ZappiStore
Zappi is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and supportive work culture, where collaboration and creativity are at the forefront. With generous benefits including mental health days, flexible working arrangements, and tailored personal development opportunities, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in London, our team enjoys a vibrant city atmosphere while partnering with leading B2C brands to drive meaningful impact in marketing and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director, Industry Strategy (Innovation) in London
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for ZappiStore and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like ZappiStore are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with ZappiStore on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at ZappiStore. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, Industry Strategy (Innovation) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit ZappiStore. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of ZappiStore:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about ZappiStore’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ZappiStore
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at ZappiStore will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At ZappiStore, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
