Innovation Manager

Introduction

Together, we re working to welcome millions more passengers, while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability. At Heathrow, you can be part of this providing solutions that make every journey better for millions each year. That means ensuring we meet the changing needs of the passengers, colleagues and partners who use our airport to work, travel, trade, shop, eat, explore and connect. Our Solutions team covers project management, process improvement, business change, technology, cyber defence, masterplanning, infrastructure and procurement. It brings together people with the skills to deliver prestigious and often large-scale projects, from transforming terminals to making big reductions in our carbon emissions.

Every day will test your skills and give you the opportunity to make your mark. You might be working with the technology and data that power our city within a city, driving vital commercial agreements with everyone from retailers to airlines, or improving the unique infrastructure that includes everything from 200 buildings to 250 HV substations. It s a collaborative environment, where you can rely on the support of the experts around you as you take on projects you ll both take pride in and feel passionate about.

Job Description

In this role, you will play a key part in shaping how Heathrow embraces new technology by identifying opportunities that genuinely add value. You ll build strong relationships across the organisation, helping colleagues articulate their challenges and uncover where innovation can make a measurable difference. Through a structured and methodical approach, you ll design and lead trials that test new ideas in a safe, controlled and cost effective way ensuring that each trial has clear objectives, defined success measures, and strong business sponsorship.

You ll work hand in hand with internal partners and external specialists, coordinating all aspects of trial delivery from planning and risk identification to collaboration with teams such as Data Protection, Cyber Security, AI Ethics and Health & Safety. Your role will be essential in guaranteeing that every trial meets Heathrow s required standards and aligns with our technology, safety and wellbeing frameworks.

Your role will involve

• Working collaboratively with colleagues to understand business challenges and identify opportunities for innovation.
• Designing and leading structured trials with clear objectives and measures of success.
• Partnering with internal teams and external specialists to deliver trials safely, efficiently and in line with required standards including data protection, cyber security, ethics and wellbeing.
• Documenting trial approaches, insights and outcomes, sharing learning clearly and in an engaging way.
• Staying up to date with developments in technology and trends across aviation and other industries to bring fresh thinking to our innovation work.

These skills are essential

• Ability to design and run structured technology or process trials, including setting clear objectives, success measures and outcomes.
• Experience building positive working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Clear and engaging communication skills, able to present complex information simply and effectively.
• Resilience and the ability to deliver at pace, removing barriers and maintaining momentum.
• Ability to work independently, managing your own workload while contributing effectively to team goals.
• Experience working in complex or multidisciplinary environments, coordinating input from different teams or partners.

About us

There s something so special about working at the world s most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities.

Every day, you ll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore.

It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we re working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability.

Join us on that journey and we'll help you achieve your ambitions too. Supporting you to learn, encouraging you to be yourself, backing you to achieve more than you might ever have imagined. Because there s no place like Heathrow.

Our rewards

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance-based annual bonuses and our longer-term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market-leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we ll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we ll provide varied learning and development opportunities too. Here you ll find everything you need for a fulfilling career journey that can take you in exciting directions.

Working Location

Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow. Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You ll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.

Sustainable Travel to work

Heathrow s Sustainable Travel Guide sets out easy and sustainable travel options that everyone can access.

Equal Opportunities

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.