Innovation Lead Co-ordinator (Maternity Cover)

MBDA UK; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Pension

Overtime

Flexi Leave

Flexible working

Enhanced parental leave

Site facilities

Job summary

MBDA UK is seeking a maternity-cover leader to ensure smooth operations of the Innovation & Future Technologies (IFT) functions. The role leads and supports UK initiatives, manages the IFT strategy, and coordinates with senior stakeholders across MBDA and international partners.

Hybrid working and a competitive benefits package are offered. The successful candidate will coordinate the leadership team, drive the UK IFT activities, and report to the Head of Group Future Technologies Watch &

Qualifications

• Curious and able to challenge stakeholders to understand the why.
• Experience in international environments with varying needs.
• Self-motivated, able to drive change in complex settings.
• Effective communication across all levels, including senior leaders.
• People management to delegate tasks and coach effectively.
• Able to solve problems in challenging situations and under pressure.
• Proven experience of supporting senior executives within a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Flexible, adaptable with growth mindset.
• Able to multitask and prioritise changing workload.
• Exceptional stakeholder management.
• Ability to lead projects to deliver results.
• Passion for improvement and willingness to experiment.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of the IFT strategy, including engagement and coordination of the overall MBDA Innovation activities and actions.
• Lead the implementation of the IFT & IFT UK operating model.
• Generate presentations, track actions and objectives, and help to maintain the strategic view of the function.
• Generate and maintain a close working relationship with domestic and international stakeholders, both internal and external to MBDA.
• Ensure the IFT communications and engagement agenda is co-ordinated & fully aligned.
• Leading on activities to develop IFT team engagement.
• Be an ambassador for the IFT Team.
• Work externally to find best practices & promote internal IFT practices.
• Lead special projects, initiatives and key activities as required.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Project management

People management

International experience

Job description

This role is a maternity cover - starting late September 2026 Providing leadership to ensure the smooth operations of the Innovation & Future Technologies (IFT), IFT UK & Future Technologies Watch & Open Innovation functions (FTOI). The role will lead or provide support to key IFT Group and UK initiatives, such as; Scientific Council, Technology Watch, Corporate Venture Capital Investment (CVC), Innovation Week, Innovation Agents Community Management and Events, IFT Seminars & Team Events, UK Innovation Spaces Development and Management, Idea Challenges Organisation, Innovation Communications, IFT Roadshows and Hubs.

Salary: Circa £35,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: A blended approach to onsite and remote working subject to workload classification

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you

• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more...

The opportunity

Reporting to the Head of Group Future Technologies Watch & Innovation UK.

Provide Assistance to: Group Director for Innovation & Future Technologies (IFT), to co-ordinate the leadership team and activities.

Head of Group Future Technologies Watch & Open Innovation (FTOI) to drive and co-ordinate the Technology Watch & Open Innovation activities.

UK Lead for Innovation & Future Technologies, to drive Innovation activities in the UK.

Responsibilities & accountabilities

• Support the development and execution of the IFT strategy, including engagement and coordination of the overall MBDA Innovation activities and actions.
• Lead the implementation of the IFT & IFT UK operating model.
• Generate presentations, track actions and objectives, and help to maintain the strategic view of the function
• Generate and maintain a close working relationship with domestic and international stakeholders, both internal and external to MBDA
• Ensure the IFT communications and engagement agenda is co-ordinated & fully aligned
• Leading on activities to develop IFT team engagement
• Be an ambassador for the IFT Team
• Work externally to find best practices & promote internal IFT practices
• Lead special projects, initiatives and key activities as required

What we’re looking for from you

• The ability to be curious and respectfully challenge stakeholders to understand deeply the strategic context: ‘the why’.
• Experience working in an international environment with different complexities and needs.
• Highly motivated self-starter with the ability to drive change & understand complex challenges
• Ability to Communicate at all levels effectively and able to influence/negotiate to achieve the desired deliverable outcome (including senior leaders)
• People management capability to delegate tasks and coach effectively
• Ability to solve problems in challenging situations & work well under pressure
• Proven experience of supporting senior executives within a high paced environment
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• High level of flexibility, adaptability and growth mind-set
• The ability to multitask and prioritise an ever-changing workload
• Exceptional stakeholder management
• Ability to manage and deliver projects successfully
• Passion for improvement & willingness to experiment

Our company

Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom. We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more...

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.

What we do matters. Because defence matters. As a leading company in the defence industry we support our nations by delivering essential military capabilities, both for today and the future. We are proud to be an award-winning employer and are proud of the growing diversity of our workforce. Our people are the ones who drive our constant innovation and deliver against challenging targets. Whatever your background, we welcome your application to MBDA UK and look forward to speaking with you soon.