Senior Innovation Strategist
Bulletproof
Full-time
Remote friendly (London area)
United Kingdom, United Kingdom
About the job
We are searching for a seriously talented Senior Innovation Strategist to join our London studio.
...have you worked on end to end innovation in FMCG/CPG?
...do you have an understanding of the cross-functional process (beyond design) that goes into delivering an innovation project for launch in market?
...are you ready to level up?
If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you!
ABOUT US:
• 360+ strong global design agency
• 100% independent
• 25 years young
• 8 studios around the world
Bulletproof is a creative powerhouse run by creatives—a place where liked-minded individuals come together to deliver brilliant ideas. Truly independent, we pride ourselves on shunning convention and getting sh*t done; above all, we march to the beat of our own drum. You don’t need a degree to get a job at Bulletproof: we choose talent over title and seek people with energy, passion and soul.
As a team, we blur the lines between branding, content, digital, film, innovation and packaging; all the while bringing our clients the very best of the best.
At Bulletproof we have three core beliefs:
WE BELIEVE GREAT IDEAS CHANGE THE WORLD...
We believe in the power of design to influence human behaviour, affect change and pierce conventions.
WE BELIEVE PEOPLE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE...
That true collaborative spirit creates a compelling, infectious energy that delivers outstanding commercial results.
STAY NAÏVE…
We believe naivety keeps you relentlessly curious, open to possibilities and leads to purer, more interesting and uncharted solutions.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
Bulletproof has recently revamped our innovation offer, throwing out the old rule book of agency-led innovation and building an approach that marries our creative prowess with what clients really want. To land our unique approach, we’re specifically looking for someone who can speak to both innovation client and agency worlds.
This role will be the right hand to our Global Head of Innovation, working across our 8 studios globally to deliver innovation projects through our revamped approach with innovation ideas that turn into reality for our clients and ensuring innovation strategy is a valued revenue centre within the agency. You’ll be spearheading strategies that inspire and provoke iconic brands to stretch them into new whitespaces, ultimately delivering work that makes Bulletproof the chosen partner that both existing and new clients turn to for breakthrough innovation thinking that disrupts within culture.
We're looking for someone to drive our end to end innovation process, from insight to strategy to ideation to concepting to bringing it to life in partnership with our creative team.
Your main duties and responsibilities will include:
Strategy
- Analyse, interpret and find connections in research (qualitative, quantitative, social) to define innovation strategies, whitespaces and growth spaces
- Translate brand growth ambitions and challenges into jobs to be done and opportunities
- Bring rigour to innovation ideation through various frameworks (i.e. benefits ladder, portfolio architecture, innovation strategy house, etc.)
- Analyse and maneuver complex market and/or consumer data to build size of prize potential
- Build compelling stories that articulate innovation strategies and/or ideas for client sign off
Ideation
- Build the above and conducting competitive research to build engaging and provocative stimulus for workshops
- Craft tailored, engaging workshop approaches and exercises to stimulate ideation
- Attend and sometimes lead workshops with senior clients (i.e. Directors, VPs, C-suite)
- Spark and invent novel innovation ideas that deliver the brief
Concepting
- Transform ideations sessions and loose discussions into compelling, refined and launch-able concepts articulated in tight, brand & consumer language
- Craft winning innovation propositions grounded for research stimuli, continuously iterating based on feedback or research findings
Research & Insight
- Provide a point of view on qualitative & quantitative methodologies used across the innovation process, to ensure our concept or design output is fit for purpose
- Design and conduct qualitative and quantitative research
Inspire Creativity
- Write creative briefs that inspire our creative team to bring ideas to life visually
- Work collaboratively with creative teams to ensure we remain true to the strategic intention of the idea - from early concepts all the way to final assets
Building Partnerships
- Work collaboratively with brand strategists to ensure seamless integration between innovation and brand workstreams
- Build productive and valued relationships with our clients to be who they turn to as a strategy sparring partner
- Over time and with coaching from the Global Head of Innovation, partner Client Services to interpret innovation briefs and develop a recommended approach for scoping
Drive Innovation Excellence
Achieve the above by leveraging and building on our innovation toolkit
Structure and writing case studies
REQUIREMENTS:
Experience:
- Extensive experience working on end to end innovation from insights to ideation to launch (client, agency or consultancy), ideally in a lead capacity
- Demonstrable experience on analytic-backed storytelling that brings rigour to strategy while simplifying the complex (for example, leveraging Mintel GNPD, Nielsen, social data, or similar to build desirable and sizeable innovation propositions)
- Demonstrable experience on broader business & brand strategy disciplines such as strategic planning, portfolio strategy, brand architecture, positioning, brand stretch, partnerships and communication
- An understanding of the cross-functional process (beyond design) that goes into delivering an innovation project for launch in market
How you think:
- A disruptive, blended logic and gut thinker that’s able to balance creativity with commerciality
- High learning agility with a growth mindset, especially for new innovation approaches
- Self-starter that can independently complete innovation strategy workstreams, with oversight from the Global Head of Innovation
How you show up:
- Confident communicator, with the ability to command and navigate a room of Marketing Directors and other senior clients through presentations and workshops
- Strong influencer who is able to build strong working relationships across the agency by partnering across cultures regionally and functions (strategy, creative, client services)
- Collaborative team player that actively contributes towards our culture with aligned beliefs
Other:
Ability to commit to travel associated with client projects
Proficiency in Keynote & Excel
Nice to have:
- Experience running qualitative & quantitative research
- Experience working across various markets, in a matrix role or in a global capacity
- Experience coaching junior team members through specific tasks towards a broader workstream
In line with our three core beliefs, we’re looking for people that share our community spirit and are curious enough to question the status quo. Could this be you? If so, apply below!
This job is closed.