Innovation and Emerging Technologies Manager - IT Services


Company:	The Royal College of Art
Salary:	£55,040 to £61,322 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	London, England, United Kingdom, SW7 2EU
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 2 days remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	10 Sept 2026
Closing date:	23 Sept 2026

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Summary

We are seeking an ambitious and strategic Innovation and Emerging Technologies Manager to shape and deliver the College’s innovation agenda at a pivotal time in our 5-year strategy.

This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for developing and executing a clear, forward-looking roadmap for innovation, with particular emphasis on emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and sustainable technologies. You will ensure our technology assets, infrastructure, and products are leveraged to create measurable value for the College and its wider community.

About the Role

Reporting at a senior level, you will:

Contribute to institutional strategy formation, aligning innovation priorities with the College’s vision and external opportunities.

Develop and manage a diverse innovation pipeline — from ideation and incubation through to prototyping and pilot delivery.

Lead cross-functional project teams, fostering a collaborative, experimental culture that embraces intelligent and fast failure.

Investigate complex, institution-wide challenges and present creative, evidence-based solutions to senior leadership.

Build compelling cases for change, balancing risk and reward across a managed portfolio of initiatives.

Establish clear frameworks and metrics to evaluate impact, efficiency, and return on innovation investment.

Champion innovation across the College, engaging staff, students, suppliers, and external partners in an active ecosystem.

Build networks with peer institutions and sector bodies to represent and advance the College’s innovation interests.

You will oversee projects using methodologies such as Design Thinking, Agile, and Lean Startup, ensuring structured experimentation and timely delivery.

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