Head of Innovation

**Reporting to Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer**:
With a track record of continued organic growth, we are now preparing the business for the next stage of our journey. In an increasingly globalised market, we are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Innovation Director with a background in, or understanding of, the Private Equity and/or Alternative Assets market, to drive commercial opportunities across the Group as part of our growth strategy.

This senior role will involve leading strategic innovation initiatives across the Group, leveraging market insights and emerging trends to enhance growth opportunities. In this role, you will grow and develop a pipeline of unique innovative products & services and generate new revenue streams. This includes systematically identifying, evaluating and delivering new opportunities with Product teams across the Aztec Group, working closely with our technology organisation, marketing, legal, compliance, and client facing teams.

**Key responsibilities**:

- Identify, develop and execute a high-impact innovation strategy and roadmap that supports our growth plans and identifies new business opportunities for our clients and investors.
- Create and manage a well-balanced innovation portfolio of growth projects that span sustaining and disruptive initiatives and drives top line growth, focused on product, process and business model innovation.
- Ensure the innovation portfolio and roadmap are aligned with the innovation strategy, support business direction, goals, and priorities and can be clearly linked to commercial benefits that drive significant new revenue growth.
- Evaluate new innovations and business opportunities for commercial potential and conduct deep market research to identify emerging trends, disruptive technologies, and investment opportunities that align with the firm's growth objectives.
- Conduct and support problem definition and solution development with innovators and craft the associated value proposition development and business modelling.
- Lead initiatives to integrate technology and data-driven solutions into the investment processes, improving operational efficiencies and market positioning.
- Innovate and launch new investment products or solutions within Private Equity or Alternative Asset product groups, ensuring they meet client needs and regulatory requirements.
- Ensure timely, successful commercialisation of innovation initiatives that promote service excellence and deliver maximum revenue benefits from ideation through to Go to Market execution.
- Work closely with senior leadership and key stakeholders, including the ExCo and external partners, to drive innovation and transformation across the business.
- Promote the company's innovation agenda; influence and obtain support from business leaders and senior management for successful execution of the agenda.
- Partner and collaborate closely with the business teams and product development to create viable business models and commercialisation strategies for mature innovation.
- Develop and maintain strong ties with teams to educate, and inspire adoption of new solutions, innovations through clear communication, presentations, innovation sessions and trainings.
- Educate and provide necessary support for new innovators in the company and lead by example.
- Lead, manage and develop a high performing team of senior innovation specialists, providing ongoing coaching and ensuring input to, ownership and execution of, roadmap deliverables.
- Mentor and assist the innovation team in solution experiments, product prototyping and validation testing.
- In collaboration with other Innovation team members, prepare business plans and develop and execute implementation plans for new capabilities.
- Identify external assets and companies that may accelerate innovation and market access through partnership and acquisition.
- Identify & develop relationships with potential technology partners and support marketing activities to generate interest in new propositions.
- Develop technology commercialisation plans, including early-stage commercialisation strategies, value proposition validation, and business case development
- Prepare and present funding requests to the Executive board.
- Lead the initiation and negotiation of commercial agreements with vendors, partners and clients.
- Provide programme management for projects as needed, including recommending and executing metrics and reporting on key achievements
- Establish the company as a recognized innovation leader among customer and industry groups through innovations that differentiate the company in the marketplace and provide unique value to clients and investors that help to build long-term relationships.
- Grow an Industry network of like-minded people who can unlock future opportunities.
- Champion and drive a culture of innovation and change within the Group, encouraging forward-thinking and fostering a collaborative environment t