Innovation Foresight, Design and Beauty Academy Director

Innovation Foresight, Design and Beauty Academy Director

Job Title: Innovation Foresight, Design & Beauty Academy Director

Location: London

Overview:
Reporting to the Beauty & Wellbeing Prospective Innovation & Sustainable Design SVP (PISD), and working with the leadership team, you will define and implement the department's vision and strategy. You will use an ongoing innovation marketing plan to provide maximum value to key brands and Beauty & Wellbeing. This is a strategic role, and you will be responsible for driving profitable, sustainable, affordable, and desirable beauty at scale. In this role, your expertise will span the end-to-end innovation process - from spotting opportunities, to crafting ideas, facilitating workshops, writing product briefs, and collaborating with R&D and operational teams. You will manage the Foresight, Design & Beauty Academy Team.

This role will also lead the Beauty Academy, our global capability programme to transform B&W capabilities and expertise in Beauty to become a true industry challenger. You will play a key role to shape our annual "InnoProf," an exclusive event that showcases breakthrough ideas and innovations sourced from our key strategic partners. This event is closely linked to B&W macro spaces, High Growth Spaces, and Big Bold Move platforms, translating science into curated, holistic solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the Foresight, Design and Beauty Academy team, building an inclusive, diverse culture and a high-performing team.
• In collaboration with the B&W Prospective Innovation and Sustainability Marketing Director, act as the strategic partner to the global hair and skin brand leads across trends, innovation and design.
• Develop detailed strategic packaging briefs in partnership with the brand leads and oversee the refinement of packaging prototypes while maintaining design standards throughout the development process.
• Foster strategic partnerships internally and externally to create a design ecosystem driving growth and agility at scale.
• Lead the creation of Beauty & Wellbeing innovation and design trends delivering long and short-term foresight helping brands to translate them into leading edge and tangible consumer-focused strategies, innovation, and experiences.
• Utilise macro space trends to identify market development opportunities across the B&W portfolio.
• Partner with the B&W Prestige brands to cascade Macro Space trends and lead innovation workshops.
• Drive consumer-centric innovation, understanding the consumer problem to solve, the desired consumer experience, and ideal product/pack to create a superior mix.
• Lead the development and global deployment of the Beauty Academy capability programme.
• Work with HR team to measure the uptake and impact of all training against priority metrics.
• Develop a partner network to find industry experts and best practise agencies.
• Oversee budget compliance and allocation for direct reports with the PISD team.
• Act as site leader for Pitch London and/or future B&W collaboration spaces.

Relevant Experience:

• Strong expertise in identifying market opportunities and developing innovation strategy.
• Experience leading strategic trends and foresight projects.
• Experienced in agile practices and willingness to foster a non-hierarchical structure.
• Proven track-record in leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Working knowledge of end-to-end product development.
• Understanding of the beauty market and/or lifestyle brands is a plus.
• Experience in the premium or luxury segment of the beauty market.
• Experience in developing and deploying marketing capability programmes.
• Experience in planning, organising and executing successful large events.

Key Skills:

• A Beauty Crafter who is comfortable in both the R&D world, science & technology savvy, and empathetic to the consumer.
• Ability to readily translate an aesthetic vision into clear beauty codes.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Strategic thinker, analytical with a future-oriented mindset.
• Go-getting entrepreneur with an obsession for growth.
• Meticulous attention to detail in execution and design aesthetics.
• Collaborative approach able to bring disparate groups together.
• Strong people leadership and talent development.
• Curiosity and a passion for learning.
• Resilient with the ability to manage uncertainty.
• Excellent financials and organisational skills.

About Unilever
Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries. Our purpose is 'to make sustainable living commonplace'.

What We Offer
We offer a competitive salary, annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, and shares. You'll have the opportunity to work directly with renowned brands in a flexible working environment.

Diversity at Unilever
We embrace diversity in our workforce and are committed to creating possibilities for all.