Innovation Product & Design reference: 0000052905

Barclays is seeking a visionary Innovation Product and Design professional to join their team in Glasgow. This role presents a compelling opportunity for individuals passionate about shaping the future of financial services through groundbreaking digital products and unique market propositions. If you thrive on challenging the status quo, leveraging cutting-edge technology, and championing user-centered design, this position could be a significant step in your career advancement.

This role is not just about managing existing products; it's about actively driving innovation, sourcing fresh ideas from the external market, and bringing entirely new, differentiated digital offerings to life. You will be instrumental in ensuring that Barclays remains at the forefront of the rapidly evolving financial landscape.

Key Advantages for Potential Candidates:

• Pioneering Innovation: This is a chance to be at the cutting edge of product development in a major financial institution. You'll have the opportunity to design and launch genuinely groundbreaking digital products and propositions, leaving a tangible mark on the industry.
• User-Centric Impact: The emphasis on user-centered design and research means your work will directly impact customer experiences. You'll be empowered to generate insights and validate solutions that truly resonate with users, ensuring your contributions are meaningful and valuable.
• Technological Exploration: You'll be encouraged to explore and leverage emerging technologies, including AI, providing a platform to expand your technical literacy and apply it strategically to drive innovation.
• Strategic Influence: This role offers significant opportunities to influence senior executives, business leaders, and external stakeholders. Your ability to communicate compellingly and negotiate effectively will be key to driving strategic change.
• Collaborative Ecosystem: You will work within a global innovation ecosystem, collaborating with a diverse range of internal and external partners. This fosters a rich learning environment and provides access to unique technological capabilities and market insights.
• Career Development: The role offers the chance to nurture a culture of innovation within the bank, develop frameworks for ideation and knowledge sharing, and contribute to the bank's overall strategy. This can lead to significant personal and professional growth.

Key Considerations for Your Career Path:

• Adaptability is Crucial: The financial services industry is dynamic, with constant fintech disruption and technological advancements. A flexible mindset and a commitment to continuous learning are essential for success in this fast-paced environment.
• Deep User Insight: Success hinges on a profound understanding of user research methodologies, insight generation, and validation. Candidates who excel at translating user needs into actionable product strategies will find this role particularly rewarding.
• Iterative Design Skills: The ability to move from initial concepts to refined solutions through iterative prototyping and testing is a core requirement. Strong collaboration with researchers and developers will be paramount.
• Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen: Beyond technical skills, a robust understanding of business strategy, risk management, and transformation initiatives will be critical. You'll need to align innovation efforts with the bank's overarching goals.
• Stakeholder Management: Effective communication and the ability to influence a broad spectrum of stakeholders, from senior leadership to external partners, are vital. Mastering storytelling and negotiation will be key differentiators.
• Potential for Leadership: Depending on the specific position, there may be opportunities for leadership. If so, demonstrating strong people leadership behaviors, including listening, energizing, aligning, and developing others, will be expected. Alternatively, as an individual contributor, you will be a subject matter expert guiding technical direction and mentoring less experienced team members.

Ultimately, this role is for an ambitious and forward-thinking individual who is eager to drive meaningful change within a leading financial institution. By embracing the Barclays values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship, and embodying the Barclays Mindset of Empower, Challenge, and Drive, you will be well-positioned to make a significant impact and accelerate your career trajectory.