Innovation Director
We are looking for an Innovation Director to join The Otherly team – The Otherly is a woman-owned, independent agency where design and innovation meet. Our work spans from insight to product ideation to visual identity and packaging design. This particular role is focused primarily on the innovation & ideation portion of our agency and will also have opportunity to work on other projects in the brand and design strategy world. As an Innovation Director, you will work to identify opportunity, structure approach, and inspire new thinking for our innovation and branding clients. We are looking for the magical balance of right- and left-brain thinking to approach challenges both critically and creatively, while communicating persuasively and demonstrating an ability to consult, lead, and inspire clients. As we are a small team, this is a great opportunity for someone who is happy to both work collaboratively and independently.
Position Overview
The Otherly Innovation Director consistently delivers strategic and creative leadership and is a valued consultant externally and internally. The Innovation Director works to find better ways to solve problems for the agency and clients, while also uncovering new opportunities. Impacting both internal and external project work, the Innovation Director displays integrated thinking not limited by discipline or deliverable. Project work may vary from pipeline development to business-model consulting to new-brand creation, with the Innovation Director working with a cross-functional team to deliver creative and compelling solutions. The Innovation Director should be comfortable with ambiguity and thrive on change, as often they will be faced with unique opportunities for which there are no map. They will directly lead the work and will be hands-on throughout the process and presentation. They should be able to push an idea forward: conceptualizing, nurturing, developing and proving new ideas and leading them through to launch.
The Innovation Director should display a collaborative and holistic approach, fostering the culture of innovation within the agency while assembling the right partners and teams to solve the challenge at hand. They should have an awareness of trends and consumer insights and understand how to translate these insights into actionable ideas. Acting as the expert of innovation, they will also contribute to and understand design and brand strategy.
The Innovation Director partners with Design, Strategy and Client Experience on all matters relating to the successful accomplishment of these roles and responsibilities. Mutual respect, seamless communication and teamwork are key to the desired outcomes. The Innovation Director must maintain and develop deep client relationships and is a valued and expected presence at key client presentations.
The Otherly Values
We expect that everyone on our team embodies the values of the agency:
- Embrace Empathy – To be our best, we bring empathy to every interaction – ensuring we are not only truly understanding consumers, but also our clients and each other.
- Create With Intent – Any idea, big or small, should be in support of an objective, a vision, a drive – even if our objective is simply to make someone smile, our creativity is in pursuit of progress.
- Show Up and Show Out – Bring passion, proactive energy, and compassion to all interactions. Not only showing up for our clients, but for each other and pitching in when people need it.
- Stay Focused – Stay focused on the core intent of every project and objective and don’t let the momentum take over. Keep an eye on the big picture so you don’t lose sight of the vision.
Key Points of the Role
- Direct and identify project parameters and scope, create and pioneer best-in-class methodologies and align with clients on innovation strategy and vision.
- Identify opportunities to grow our business both organically and through securing new clients.
- Apply innovative thinking to internal processes, encouraging new ways of thinking and working within the agency.
- Contribute to the strong team dynamic by inspiring creative excellence, empowering others and demonstrating collaboration.
- Partner with The Otherly team members to ensure a high level of service and high standard of work.
- Act as an ambassador for The Otherly and support entrepreneurial efforts through attending events and being a steward of the agency.
- Efficiently manage time and resources to ensure fiscal responsibility.
Prerequisites
- 10+ years experience in innovation with a focus on FMCG (Agency side preferred)
- Champion idea development in media-neutral environments, but with strong experience in creating new product ideas
- Understanding of how to frame in need states, attitudes and insights.
- Experience in concept development, testing, and concept writing.
- Proven ability to effectively manage and develop skills in others.
- Ability to use Keynote or similar presentation software.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to create and deliver presentations both internally and externally.
- Demonstrated ability to strategically solve problems.
- Fluency in English.
Reporting to: Managing Director
Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Job Location: London, United Kingdom – International travel is expected with client workshops, meetings, and pitches.