AI Innovation Strategist

The University of Manchester; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking an AI Innovation Strategist to shape their AI innovation strategy, focusing on harnessing AI to transform education and operations. The ideal candidate should have deep AI expertise, excellent communication skills, and the ability to effectively engage stakeholders. This role offers opportunities to lead impactful projects within a collaborative and diverse environment.

Benefits

29 days annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Flexible and hybrid working

Access to staff benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering and scaling AI-enabled projects.
• Strong grasp of ethical and legal considerations around AI.
• Ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain an AI innovation roadmap.
• Lead feasibility projects that test AI applications.
• Build strong partnerships across faculties and services.

Skills

Deep expertise in AI technologies

Excellent communication skills

Project management expertise

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Higher degree in AI or related field

Job description

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We\'re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences, especially those who are underrepresented in tech and leadership roles. If you\'re excited about this role but unsure whether you meet every requirement please apply anyway. We value potential as much as experience.

The Role

As our AI Innovation Strategist, you\'ll help drive the University\'s AI innovation strategy - shaping how we develop, test, and scale AI solutions across teaching, learning, research, and operations. Working closely with the University Director of AI Innovation, you\'ll translate vision into action, spotting opportunities where AI can have the biggest impact and ensuring projects deliver meaningful results.
This is your opportunity to shape how one of the UK\'s leading research universities harnesses AI to transform education, reimagine research practices, and reshape operations. We\'re looking for someone who can combine strategic insight with practical delivery - a bridge between emerging technologies and real-world institutional challenges.

What you will be doing

You\'ll be part of a small, high-impact Skunkworks innovation team, reporting directly to our Director of AI Innovation and influencing strategy across the institution.

Some of the things you might find yourself doing include:

• Developing and maintaining an AI innovation roadmap, aligned with University priorities.
• Scanning emerging AI trends and applying them to higher education challenges.
• Leading feasibility projects that test AI applications across teaching, learning, research, and operations.
• Acting as a primary point of contact for stakeholders, building strong partnerships across faculties, services, and external collaborators.
• Supporting the Director in providing inspirational leadership and turning strategic vision into concrete plans.
• Coordinating multi-disciplinary project teams, ensuring projects are delivered effectively and decisions are made quickly.
• Helping to develop business cases for scaling up successful pilots, including benefits, costs, and change management considerations.
• Bringing external insight into the University by connecting with innovators and peers across sectors.

We are flexible, collaborative, and focused on impact. It\'s a space where ideas are welcomed, failure is part of the process, and progress is made together.

What You\'ll Bring

This isn\'t a narrow technical role. It\'s for someone who can think strategically, deliver practically, and engage widely. We\'re less interested in ticking every box than we are in finding someone with the right mindset: curious, thoughtful, and able to bring people with them.

Ideally, we are expecting to see:

• Deep expertise in AI technologies, applications, and their potential for higher education.
• A strong grasp of ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations around AI adoption.
• Experience in delivering and scaling AI-enabled projects with demonstrable impact.
• Excellent communication skills - able to make complex concepts clear and compelling.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills to assess opportunities and risks.
• Project management expertise, balancing multiple initiatives and ensuring timely delivery.
• A proven ability to engage and influence stakeholders across diverse disciplines.

Not essential but desirable:

• Higher degree in AI, computer science, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Familiarity with higher education environments and sector-specific challenges.

Why Join Manchester?

We\'re a university with global reach and local impact - from advancing materials science and medicine to shaping responsible innovation. Our AI Innovation team works directly with senior leaders, technologists, and educators to bring smart, scalable, ethical AI into everyday university life. We believe in learning by doing and in building a digital future that puts people first. You\'ll join a collaborative culture that encourages experimentation, supports ambition, and values diversity in all its forms.

What You\'ll Get

• 29 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and December closure days
• Generous pension scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Access to a wide range of staff benefits, including discounts, wellbeing support, and development programmes
• The chance to lead change in one of the UK\'s most forward-looking universities

Explore full benefits: www.manchester.ac.uk/connect/jobs/benefits-working-here

We anticipate shortlisting will take place week commencing 29th September.

Interviews are currently scheduled for 8th October 2025.

If you have any queries or for informal enquiries please contact [e-mail].