Senior Innovation Manager

JOB TITLE:  Senior Innovation Manager.

SALARY: Market rate.

LOCATION: Edinburgh.

HOURS: Full-time.

WORKING PATTERN: Our work style is hybrid, which involves spending at least two days per week, or 40% of our time, at one of our office sites. Colleagues with disabilities can be supported with workplace adjustments including hybrid working expectations in line with our Flexibility Works policy. 

Scottish Widows is on a mission to deliver outstanding customer value while improving efficiency and ensuring our products and services are fit for the future. We’re looking for a highly capable Senior Innovation Manager to join our team. This person will play a meaningful role in crafting how we deliver outcomes for millions of customers. We're growing with purpose. Join us on our journey and you can too! 

Want to hear more?

You'll identify, shape and deliver high-impact innovation initiatives that drive measurable commercial value. This role requires a strong external orientation, staying ahead of emerging trends—particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI), FinTech and platform ecosystems—and translating these into scalable, customer-focused opportunities. 

Blending strategy and execution, this role combines structured thinking, commerciality and hands-on delivery to move ideas from concept to realised benefit. It will also play a key part in building external partnerships and strengthening the organisation’s position within the UK innovation ecosystem. 

Key Responsibilities 

Innovation & Insight 

• Maintain a pioneering perspective on innovation trends, with particular depth in emerging AI (e.g. GenAI, automation, advanced analytics, agentic systems). 

• Interpret market, competitor and technology developments to identify radical opportunities and risks. 

• Translate insight into clear, actionable innovation propositions aligned to strategic priorities. 

Commercial Value Creation 

• Develop robust, data-driven recommendations with clear articulation of costs, benefits, risks and return on investment. 

• Ensure all innovation initiatives are grounded in strong commercial logic and deliver tangible, measurable outcomes. 

• Define success metrics upfront and track benefits realisation post-delivery. 

Ecosystem & Partnership Development 

• Build and maintain strong relationships across the UK startup and innovation ecosystem, including London, FinTech Scotland and other key hubs. 

• Identify, assess and onboard external partners, particularly those maximising AI-led capabilities. 

• Represent the organisation externally to enhance our innovation brand and market credibility. 

Delivery & Execution 

• Lead initiatives end-to-end—from ideation through pilot to scaled implementation. 

• Apply structured innovation approaches such as test-and-learn, rapid prototyping, and experimentation frameworks. 

• Navigate ambiguity and unblock issues to ensure momentum and delivery at pace. 

• Build trusted relationships across business, technology and risk, by communicating complex concepts in a business-relevant way. 

Leadership & Behavioural Expectations 

• Acts with ownership and accountability for outcomes. 

• Thinks commercially, is customer-obsessed, and focuses on delivering value. 

• Simplifies complexity and prioritises what matters. 

• Adapts quickly and leads well in ambiguous environments. 

• Influence senior stakeholders and guide executive decision-making with compelling evidence and narrative. 

Why join us?

We’re on an exciting journey to transform our Group and the way we’re shaping finance for good. We’re focusing on the future, investing in our technologies, workplaces, and colleagues to make our Group a great place for everyone.

What we’re looking for

Essential 

• A proven understanding of emerging AI and its practical application. 

• Ability to build data-driven, financially robust business recommendations, and then deliver initiatives end-to-end. 

• Strong commercial thinking with a focus on measurable outcomes. 

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills. 

• Experience engaging with startups, ecosystems or external partners. 

Desirable 

• Existing connections within London and UK innovation ecosystems (e.g. FinTech Scotland, accelerators, venture networks). 

• Experience in financial services (banking, insurance, investments) or regulated industries. 

• Experience working with AI solutions, digital transformation or innovation programmes. 

We know that great talent comes from many backgrounds. Whilst this job advert may reference specific years of experience, we recognise that skills are developed in many ways, so if you have relevant, transferable experience, we encourage you to apply.

This is a place for you:

Our ambition is to be the leading UK business for diversity, equity and inclusion supporting our customers, colleagues and communities, and we’re committed to creating an environment in which everyone can thrive, learn and develop.​

​We were one of the first major organisations to set goals on diversity in senior roles, create a menopause health package, and a dedicated Working with Cancer Initiative.​

We offer reasonable workplace adjustments for colleagues with disabilities, including flexibility in office attendance, location and working patterns. And, as a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee interviews for a fair and proportionate number of applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role with a disability, long-term health or neurodivergent condition through the Disability Confident Scheme.​ ​We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to reduce or remove barriers. Just let us know what you need.​

Ready to make an impact? Apply today.