Strategic Lead - Innovation Capacity Building

Xterna; Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A public service organization in Greater Manchester seeks a Strategic Lead for Innovation Capacity Building. This role focuses on developing and implementing innovation strategies to address social challenges, such as prevention and climate action. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in systems thinking and experience in public sector reform, working collaboratively across organizations and communities to foster inclusion and deliver measurable impact.

Qualifications

• Track record of enabling design thinking and systems approaches.
• Experience in public service reform and social justice.
• Ability to co-create with diverse communities.

Responsibilities

• Set direction for innovation strategies.
• Build capability across organizational boundaries.
• Advocate for participatory and evidence-informed approaches.

Skills

Systems thinking

Strategic judgement

Program design

Coaching

Organizational boundary navigation

Data translation

Job description

Permanent

Your Role

Greater Manchester is building an innovation engine for social change and you’ll be at the heart of it. As Strategic Lead for Innovation Capacity Building, you’ll help set direction for developing our approach to innovation, growing the city‑region’s ability to design, test and scale resident‑centred solutions to complex issues such as prevention and climate action. You’ll turn ambition into practice: building capability across GMCA and the wider system, embedding innovation into leadership, governance and delivery, and contributing to a clear roadmap for culture change. You’ll convene senior leaders, VCFSE partners and communities, bring insight and data together, and advocate approaches that are participatory, ethical and evidence‑informed. And because this role sits within Greater Manchester’s participation in the Bloomberg Philanthropies iTeam programme, you’ll be part of a network of international peers benefiting from specialist support while making a tangible difference here in Greater Manchester.

About You

You’re a system‑s‑minded leader who builds capability in others and creates the conditions for learning and change. You combine strategic judgement with practical delivery with an ability to design programmes, convene partners, and coach teams so new ways of working are embedded. You’re comfortable working across organisational boundaries, at ease with ambiguity, and skilled at translating insights from data and lived experience into action. You value inclusion, openness and curiosity; you listen carefully, co‑create with residents and colleagues, and ensure diverse voices shape decisions. Experience might come from local government, civil society, consultancy, health, academia or beyond; what matters is a track record of enabling people and organisations to adopt design thinking, systems approaches and co‑production, whilst turning experimentation into measurable impact. If you care about public service reform, social justice and prevention – and build a thriving city region where everyone can live a good life – we’d love to hear from you.

About Us

As an employer, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is made up of a number of key Greater Manchester strategic functions and service providers including Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS); Waste and Resources; Environment; Work and Skills; Research; Public Sector Reform; Police, Crime and Criminal Justice; Homelessness; the Greater Manchester Ageing Hub and the Commissioning Hub.

We value the diversity of our employees, and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across Greater Manchester. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, Trans status and Non‑binary identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.

To find out more about working for us please click here: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/

Our Offer

In return for your hard work, we offer our employees a competitive package as part of our offer that you can find out more about here: Greater Manchester Combined Authority - Home | greater.jobs

Mandatory Information

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. However, we value human talent and are looking for passionate individuals to join our organisation. Please ensure you personally complete your application and read all the instructions carefully to maximise your chances of success. Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting, however we understand that AI may be used as a reasonable adjustment; if using AI to support your application, please give a brief explanation why to help ensure fair selection process.

Privacy Notice

Employees on the redeployment register will be given priority for any vacancies in the first instance. If employees are identified as a match from the register then the vacancy may be withdrawn or put on hold pending an outcome. For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK – if in doubt please visit the following link Employers' right to work checklist - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please note we are not a licensed sponsor.

Hybrid working

This role is part of GMCA’s hybrid working scheme. As part of our commitment to Build Back Fairer in Greater Manchester following the Covid‑19 pandemic, we have evolved our management methods by trusting and empowering staff to deliver their work in the best way that suits the business and their individual needs, and supports health and wellbeing. Our hybrid working policy sets out a flexible approach, combining attendance at our Manchester city centre office / Fire and Rescue Service HQ in Swinton / other location with remote working, typically from home; the location of work is primarily dictated by the needs of the business: Do what is right for you and the business on that day. If appointed to the role you will work with your manager to agree and regularly review the best working pattern for you, your team and your work.