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The deadline for receipt of applications is 09:00am Thursday 15th October 2026
About us
Innovation Unit is a not for profit social enterprise with a mission to reduce inequalities and transform systems by growing people-powered innovations.
We have 20 years experience of doing this work with ambitious partners in local and central government, schools and hospitals, voluntary and community sector organisations, trusts and foundations.
We hold a bold vision: we want to see a world where all people belong and contribute to thriving societies on a flourishing planet.
To achieve this vision, we must challenge and change the systems that people who experience disadvantage rely on most.
As an organisation, and as individuals, we are committed to actively reducing persistent inequalities - including a central focus on anti-racism - in every area of our work.
Roles and responsibilities
Client delivery - project leadership
- Manage successful delivery of smaller client projects (up to about 50k) and work-streams in larger projects:
- Project outcomes are achieved, we deliver maximum impact and we get strong positive feedback from our clients;
- Deliver work on time, to budget and within parameters agreed with the client, re-negotiating scope where necessary and re-allocating resources to meet project challenges, including achieving the required project margin;
- Provide effective and efficient project administration, including using the internal financial and other systems effectively.
- Negotiate and confirm projects with clients, firming up project requirements and outputs following kick off meetings, ensuring that any changes to scope are communicated to the IU project team and that client expectations are well managed.
- Manage the work, expectations, morale and effectiveness of small project teams (2-4 people)
- Undertake high level stakeholder mapping and engage with key project stakeholders to secure their buy-in to the project aims
- Demonstrate excellent practice in service design, including:
- Design and delivery of creative workshops and working sessions with clients and services users;
- Design research activities including ethnography, report writing, story telling, archiving, data protection, and ensuring adherence to the research ethical code of conduct;
- Communication design and data visualisation; and
- Design and delivery of practical prototyping in local systems.
- Manage successful delivery of smaller client projects (up to about 50k) and work-streams in larger projects:
- Project outcomes are achieved, we deliver maximum impact and we get strong positive feedback from our clients;
- Deliver work on time, to budget and within parameters agreed with the client, re-negotiating scope where necessary and re-allocating resources to meet project challenges, including achieving the required project margin;
- Provide effective and efficient project administration, including using the internal financial and other systems effectively.
- Negotiate and confirm projects with clients, firming up project requirements and outputs following kick off meetings, ensuring that any changes to scope are communicated to the IU project team and that client expectations are well managed.
- Manage the work, expectations, morale and effectiveness of small project teams (2-4 people)
- Undertake high level stakeholder mapping and engage with key project stakeholders to secure their buy-in to the project aims
- Demonstrate excellent practice in service design, including:
- Design and delivery of creative workshops and working sessions with clients and services users;
- Design research activities including ethnography, report writing, story telling, archiving, data protection, and ensuring adherence to the research ethical code of conduct;
- Communication design and data visualisation; and
- Design and delivery of practical prototyping in local systems.
Engagement, communication and learning
- Communicate regularly and effectively with all members of the team, contractors, suppliers and clients.
- Prepare presentation materials for visits, events and meetings and represent and the project at meetings and events.
- Write in an engaging way about the project for a range of different audiences, and ensure that all outputs and publications are quality assured properly.
- Contribute learning from this project to the development of Innovation Unit intellectual property and integrate learning from other Innovation Unit projects into this work.
- Communicate regularly and effectively with all members of the team, contractors, suppliers and clients.
- Prepare presentation materials for visits, events and meetings and represent and the project at meetings and events.
- Write in an engaging way about the project for a range of different audiences, and ensure that all outputs and publications are quality assured properly.
- Contribute learning from this project to the development of Innovation Unit intellectual property and integrate learning from other Innovation Unit projects into this work.
Developing service design practice
- Support the development of new design practice and support colleagues across the organisations to apply design thinking to make change. Train people in design processes so that client organisations can create change in their worlds after we’re gone.
- Set and maintain a high standard of quality in design-led processes, design thinking and outputs.
- Support creative approaches to problem solving within Innovation Unit and contribute towards building our service-design credentials and reputation.
- Support the development of new design practice and support colleagues across the organisations to apply design thinking to make change. Train people in design processes so that client organisations can create change in their worlds after we’re gone.
- Set and maintain a high standard of quality in design-led processes, design thinking and outputs.
- Support creative approaches to problem solving within Innovation Unit and contribute towards building our service-design credentials and reputation.
Business development
- Identify opportunities for further work that could follow on from current projects.
- Work closely with the business development leads to identify solutions and innovations that could be scaled within appropriate markets and public systems.
- Support the practical aspects of business development including writing proposals, developing sales materials, background research, and other ad hoc activity.
- Grow your personal network, maintaining existing relationships and developing relationships with potential future clients.
- Support business development administration by regularly updating contact data, and that the website and blog are up to date with information about recent projects
- Identify opportunities for further work that could follow on from current projects.
- Work closely with the business development leads to identify solutions and innovations that could be scaled within appropriate markets and public systems.
- Support the practical aspects of business development including writing proposals, developing sales materials, background research, and other ad hoc activity.
- Grow your personal network, maintaining existing relationships and developing relationships with potential future clients.
- Support business development administration by regularly updating contact data, and that the website and blog are up to date with information about recent projects
Contract details
Location
We have colleagues right across the UK, from Edinburgh to Brighton and everywhere in between.
We only accept applications from people with the right to work in the UK and are UK based.
Hybrid working
Our team splits their time between home, on client sites and office, with moments to come to the office for project work, away days and socials. Schedules vary depending on client projects and the requirements of your role.
There is an expectation to deliver project work around the UK when required (expenses covered).
Salary
£35,000- £42,500 p.a. depending on experience
Type
Permanent contract
Hours
37.5 hours per week, with flexible options from 30 hours (4 days) upwards
Holiday
27 days holiday plus bank holidays (prorated). In addition, we close the office for three days between Christmas and New Year.
Who will I report to?
Ella Walding, Head of Service Design
Benefits
4% pension contribution
Pension salary exchange scheme
Life cover
Childcare voucher scheme
Flexible working
SmartHelp access
How to apply
Please apply for this role by sending your CV, portfolio and a cover letter to contact@innovationunit.org
Your cover letter should tell us why you would like to work at Innovation Unit, what you would bring to the role, and highlight your relevant experience in service design and project leadership.
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