Innovation & Growth Lead
Cambridge | Hybrid | UK & International Travel (3–4 trips per year)

(Represented by SoCode Recruitment)

The opportunity

We are supporting a Cambridge-based innovation consultancy that is looking to appoint a senior innovation and growth leader as part of its next phase of development.

This is not a delivery-only consulting role. The focus is on developing business with large, enterprise-level organisations, leading senior client relationships, and shaping innovation agendas at board and executive level.

The role exists to add experienced senior bandwidth to the business: someone who can confidently lead conversations with major organisations, originate and grow client relationships, and take ownership of high-value innovation engagements. This will allow the founder to focus more time on broader strategic growth.

This is a leadership hire in a small, high-impact business. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating with autonomy, ambiguity, and accountability.

What the role will involve:Enterprise business development & senior client leadership

• Developing and leading relationships with large, complex organisations across technology, engineering, industrial and consumer-led sectors
• Operating confidently at board and C-suite level, shaping discussions around innovation strategy, growth and commercial opportunity
• Originating and converting new client opportunities, both independently and alongside the founder
• Acting as a senior external representative of the business in executive meetings, industry events and conferences

Innovation strategy & advisory

• Working directly with senior client stakeholders to define innovation agendas, priorities and investment focus
• Advising organisations on how to structure, fund and lead innovation effectively
• Helping clients make clear decisions on what to pursue, what to pause, and what not to build, before significant resource is committed
• Translating ambiguous, high-level challenges into clear strategic direction

Programme ownership

• Taking senior responsibility for innovation engagements once secured
• Acting as the primary client contact, accountable for quality and outcomes
• Working closely with technical, engineering and design partners where concepts move towards validation or prototyping

Contribution to business growth

• Helping shape the future focus of the consultancy by sector and geography
• Supporting the development of long-term client partnerships and repeat work
• Playing an active role in the evolution of the business, not just individual projects

What we are looking for This role requires seniority and credibility. It is not suitable for someone early in their consulting or commercial career.

You are likely to bring:

• Proven experience working with enterprise or blue-chip organisations
• A track record of business development, senior client leadership or advisory work
• Confidence engaging with boards, executive teams and senior decision-makers
• Experience shaping innovation, growth or transformation conversations at a strategic level
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to build trust quickly with senior stakeholders

Backgrounds of interest include:

• Innovation or strategy consulting
• Corporate innovation or growth leadership roles
• Technology-led advisory or engineering consultancies
• Senior roles bridging technology, product and commercial leadership

There is no fixed methodology requirement. The emphasis is on sound judgement, intellectual rigour, and the ability to adapt approach to different organisations and challenges.

Practical details

• Location: Cambridge (hybrid working)
• Travel: Typically 3–4 international trips per year
• Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience and seniority
• Level: Senior / leadership hire

Why this role?

• This is not a large consultancy with heavy structure or hierarchy
• The successful hire will have real influence and visibility
• You will work closely with the founder and senior technical leaders
• The role offers genuine scope to help shape the future direction of the business

This search is being managed exclusively by SoCode Recruitment.
For a confidential discussion about the role and the level of seniority required, please get in touch directly with Alex Flory @ SoCode Recruitment