Head of Product Innovation

The OpportunityWe are seeking a senior product innovation leader to shape and deliver the next generation of products and services across a global telecommunications business operating in more than 25 markets. This is a group-level role focused on taking opportunities from customer problem and concept through business case, validation and launch readiness.You will build a disciplined innovation pipeline supporting international growth, broader product propositions, multiple brands and the practical adoption of AI. You will work closely with commercial, technology, brand and customer-experience leaders, then formally hand over launch-ready products to the Global Head of Products for ongoing in-life management.Product ScopeThe innovation portfolio spans:Core mobile products and services, across MNO and MVNO environmentsMultiplay propositions and new-country launch product kitsB2B and SMB, B2B2C, embedded and partner-enabled servicesDigital, fintech, eSIM and other digital-first propositionsAI-enabled products and the use of AI in opportunity discovery, demand testing and product designKey ResponsibilitiesOwn the innovation pipeline: Build, prioritise and manage a ranked pipeline aligned to the group growth agenda and annual business plan.Validate opportunities: Identify customer and market needs, define concepts and test whether proposed solutions address a clear problem.Develop robust business cases: Assess market opportunity, customer demand, unit economics, platform costs and regulatory feasibility; make evidence-based go/kill recommendations.Lead stage-gate governance: Establish clear decision gates and entry/exit criteria, incorporating the required commercial pricing and technology input before progression.Create repeatable launch propositions: Develop standard product kits that enable new affiliates and country launches to bring a complete proposition to market.Design for multiple brands: Create propositions that can work across brands and align with the group’s brand architecture.Translate products into technology requirements: Define product specifications, platform requirements and acceptance criteria for the technology organisation, taking account of MNO/MVNO and host-network constraints.Build product partnerships: Identify and structure content, OTT and embedded-service partnerships needed to complete propositions, working separately from sales-channel partnerships.Apply AI in practice: Use AI tools to inform product decisions and develop AI-enabled propositions with clear intended outcomes.Manage launch readiness and handover: Confirm each product meets an agreed launch-readiness checklist and formally hand it over to the Global Head of Products.Track delivery and report progress: Provide monthly reporting on pipeline, stage-gate decisions and delivery status into the group’s integrated PMO plan.How You Will WorkYou will report to the Chief Marketing Officer and work in a global, cross-functional environment with the Global Heads of Products, Branding and Customer Experience, as well as the commercial, pricing, technology, regulatory and PMO teams. You will define product concepts and make them launch-ready; pricing approval, technology delivery, local marketing execution and local launch decisions remain with the relevant group functions and country affiliates.What Success Looks Like in the First 12 MonthsBy Month 3: establish an agreed stage-gate framework, business-case template and decision responsibilities.By Month 4: baseline a ranked innovation pipeline covering the relevant product families.By Month 6: agree a multi-brand product framework and deliver a standard product kit for new-country launches.By Month 12: take at least three products to launch-ready status and complete formal handover.By Month 12: take at least one AI-enabled product to launch-ready status, with a measurable target documented.Experience and BackgroundCurrently, or most recently, a Global Head or equivalent leading new products, product innovation or new business within an MNO or MVNO at group or multi-market level.A demonstrable record of taking at least three products from idea through to commercial launch. Experience should include core mobile and at least two additional areas such as multiplay, B2B/SMB, B2B2C, embedded services, digital or fintech services, eSIM or digital-first propositions.Experience supporting new-country launches or greenfield operations, including the constraints of MVNO host-network environments.Experience designing propositions for multiple brands and running formal stage-gate processes with business cases and go/kill decisions.Strong cross-functional experience working with pricing, technology platforms and channel teams in a matrix organisation.Recent, practical use of AI in product work, with a specific tool, a decision informed by it and a measurable outcome.Skills and QualificationsStrong commercial judgement, including unit economics, margin considerations and business-case discipline.Ability to turn customer and market insight into compelling product propositions.Technical literacy across telecom platforms, BSS/OSS, MVNE/MVNO architecture and digital channels.Confident stakeholder management and the ability to influence across a complex international matrix.Degree in business, engineering or a related discipline; an MBA or equivalent is an advantage.Familiarity with innovation management standards such as ISO 56001 or ISO 56002 is beneficial.