Innovation Research & Service Designer

3761 Barclays - BX - UK; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Barclays seeks an Innovation Research & Service Designer in Glasgow to uncover customer needs, identify emerging trends and convert complex research into actionable insights for new propositions and experiences.

You will collaborate across functions, influence decision-making and drive strategic opportunities while aligning with risk and governance standards. This role is based in Glasgow with hybrid working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Expert research capability across qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Insight synthesis and storytelling for executive audiences.
• Human-centred innovation mindset with customer-centric thinking.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop a portfolio of open innovation initiatives.
• Develop frameworks, ideation, training and tools to build a culture of innovation.
• Deliver insights to inform strategic decisions and organisational readiness.

Skills

Qualitative & quantitative research

Insight storytelling

Human-centered design

Trend analysis & futures thinking

AI-enabled research tools

Financial services experience

Job description

Job Description Purpose of the role

To collaborate, nurture and drive group innovation with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the bank stays at the forefront of innovation and adapts to the rapidly changing landscape in financial services and increasing customer expectations. Accountabilities Collaboration with a range of stakeholders to develop a portfolio of open innovation and strategic initiatives through experimentation, co-creation, access to innovative technology capabilities, products and services and a global innovation ecosystem. Development and delivery of frameworks, ideation, training and tools to build a culture of innovation and knowledge sharing to enable new and creative ideas/solutions that deliver on the bank’s strategy. Provision of a global platform and curated ecosystem of partners to inform strategy, drive connectivity and new insights. Development of the strategic capabilities and programmes for the bank to deliver on its strategy, supporting the exploration, evaluation and execution of innovation and investment opportunities. Management and coordination between external stakeholders/partners and the bank, to successfully deliver joint projects and initiatives. Deliver thought leadership and insights to inform strategic decision making and organisational readiness, in conjunction with regular research, identifying emerging technologies and trends. Development and management of key metrics including key partnerships, innovation initiatives and impact through regular assessments to calculate the return on investment and identify any potential risks and issues.

Assistant Vice President Expectations

To advise and influence decision making, contribute to policy development and take responsibility for operational effectiveness. Collaborate closely with other functions/ business divisions. Lead a team performing complex tasks, using well developed professional knowledge and skills to deliver on work that impacts the whole business function. Set objectives and coach employees in pursuit of those objectives, appraisal of performance relative to objectives and determination of reward outcomes If the position has leadership responsibilities, People Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are:

• L – Listen and be authentic
• E – Energise and inspire
• A – Align across the enterprise
• D – Develop others

OR for an individual contributor, they will lead collaborative assignments and guide team members through structured assignments, identify the need for the inclusion of other areas of specialisation to complete assignments. They will identify new directions for assignments and/ or projects, identifying a combination of cross functional methodologies or practices to meet required outcomes. Consult on complex issues; providing advice to People Leaders to support the resolution of escalated issues. Identify ways to mitigate risk and developing new policies/procedures in support of the control and governance agenda. Take ownership for managing risk and strengthening controls in relation to the work done. Perform work that is closely related to that of other areas, which requires understanding of how areas coordinate and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the organisation sub-function. Collaborate with other areas of work, for business aligned support areas to keep up to speed with business activity and the business strategy. Engage in complex analysis of data from multiple sources of information, internal and external sources such as procedures and practises (in other areas, teams, companies, etc).to solve problems creatively and effectively. Communicate complex information. 'Complex' information could include sensitive information or information that is difficult to communicate because of its content or its audience. Influence or convince stakeholders to achieve outcomes. All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.

Join us as an Innovation Research & Service Designer at Barclays, where you will you’ll help shape the future of banking by uncovering customer needs, identifying emerging trends and turning complex research into actionable insights that inform new propositions, experiences and strategic opportunities.

To be successful as Innovation Research & Service Designer you should have:

• Expert research capability across qualitative and quantitative methods, with the ability to design, execute and synthesise research that informs strategic decisions.
• Insight synthesis and storytelling, translating complex customer, market and technology inputs into clear opportunities, recommendations and executive-level narratives.
• Human-centred innovation mindset, using customer needs, behaviours and evidence to shape propositions, prioritise opportunities and reduce uncertainty.

Some other highly valued skills may include:

• Experience applying futures thinking, trend analysis and horizon scanning techniques to proactively identify emerging customer, technology and market shifts before they become mainstream, helping the team stay ahead of the curve.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled research tools, analytics platforms and modern insight-generation techniques, using them to accelerate synthesis, uncover patterns in large datasets and enhance the quality and speed of research outputs.
• Experience working in financial services or other highly regulated industries, understanding how to balance ambitious innovation thinking with the practical realities of risk, compliance and customer outcome requirements.

You may be assessed on the key critical skills relevant for success in role, such as risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen, strategic thinking and digital and technology, as well as job-specific technical skills.

This role will be based in Glasgow.

#LI-Hybrid

Our Work Experience is the combination of everything that's unique about us: our culture, our core values, our company meetings, our commitment to sustainability, our recognition programs, but most importantly, it's our people. Our employees are self-disciplined, hard working, curious, trustworthy, humble, and truthful. They make choices according to what is best for the team, they live for opportunities to collaborate and make a difference, and they make us the #1 Top Workplace in the area.