Innovation Manager

Aviva Direct Ireland Limited; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services company is seeking an Innovation Manager to drive initiatives and lead cross-functional teams. The role involves shaping the future through innovative product development, championing new ideas, and collaborating with internal and external partners. Ideal candidates will have strong expertise in insurance, product ownership experience, and a proactive approach to innovation. The position offers a competitive salary and a robust benefits package, reflecting the company's commitment to investing in its employees.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

29 days holiday plus bank holidays

Private medical benefit

Up to 40% discount on Aviva products

Bonus opportunity

Flexible benefits including sustainability options

Paid volunteering days

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Broad technical expertise in insurance or adjacent sectors.
• Experience in end-to-end product development.
• Strong innovation mindset with experience in agile experimentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams and drive initiatives from concept to launch.
• Champion experimentation and facilitate technical workshops.
• Collaborate with partners to resolve blockers.

Skills

Broad technical expertise in insurance

Experience as a Product Owner

Strong innovation mindset

Excellent communication skills

Adaptable and proactive

Job description

Innovation Manager

Salary between £60,000 - £65,000 (London), £45,000 - £50,000 (national) – based on location, experience, and qualifications

Locations: London, Norwich, or York

Are you energised by the challenge of turning bold ideas into real-world impact? Do you thrive in environments where curiosity, experimentation, and collaboration are at the heart of everything you do? As an Innovation Manager, you’ll be at the forefront of shaping the future—identifying opportunities, leading cross-functional teams, and driving initiatives from concept to launch. If you’re passionate about solving complex problems, championing new ways of working, and inspiring others to think differently, this is your chance to make a meaningful difference

A bit about the job:

You’ll join Aviva’s Group Innovation team - a small, senior, and agile unit reporting to the Chief Innovation Officer. The team leads the enterprise-wide innovation agenda, accelerating transformation and developing new growth opportunities. As Innovation Manager, you’ll act as a technical generalist and Product Owner, leading the development and launch of innovative products and propositions. You’ll champion experimentation, facilitate technical workshops, and collaborate with internal and external partners to accelerate delivery and resolve blockers.

Skills and experience we’re looking for:

• Broad technical expertise in insurance, financial services, or adjacent sectors; deep GI knowledge is a strong advantage.
• Experience as a Product Owner or in technical delivery roles, with a track record of end-to-end product development.
• Strong innovation mindset, with experience in test-and-learn, prototyping, or agile experimentation.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Adaptable, proactive, and comfortable with ambiguity.

What you’ll get for this role:

Our purpose - with you today, for a better tomorrow – is a promise we make to our colleagues too. And one of the ways we live up to that promise is by investing in you. We have so much to offer when it comes to being an Aviva colleague.

• Starting salary between £60,000 - £65,000 (London), £45,000 - £50,000 (national) (depending on location, skills, experience, and qualifications)
• Bonus opportunity - 10% (D grade) of annual salary. Actual amount depends on your performance and Aviva’s.
• Generous pension scheme - Aviva will contribute up to 14%, depending on what you put in.
• 29 days holiday plus bank holidays, and you can choose to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Aviva-funded Private Medical Benefit to help you get expert support when you need it
• Make your money go further - Up to 40% discount on Aviva products, and other retailer discounts
• Up to £1,200 of free Aviva shares per year through our Matching Share Plan and share in the success of Aviva with our Save As You Earn scheme
• Brilliantly supportive policies including parental and carer’s leave
• Flexible benefits to suit you, including sustainability options such as cycle to work
• Make a difference, be part of our Aviva Communities and use your 3 paid volunteering days to help others
• We take your wellbeing seriously with lots of support and tools

Take a look to learn more. Put a salary into this calculator to see what your total Aviva Reward could be.

Aviva is for everyone:

We’re inclusive and welcome everyone – we want applications from all backgrounds and experiences. Excited but not sure you tick every box? Even if you don’t, we would still encourage you to apply. We also consider all forms of flexible working, including part time and job shares.

We flex locations, hours and working patterns to suit our customers, business, and you. Most of our people are smart working – spending at least 50% of their time in our offices every week - combining the benefits of flexibility, with time together with colleagues.

To find out more about working at Aviva take a look here

We'd love it if you could submit your application online. If you require an alternative method of applying, or if you have any queries in relation to the vacancy, please email [e-mail].