Head Of Development

Head of Innovation

West Sussex

Full time & permanent role

Excellent salary & benefits

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Science & Innovation to lead and shape the strategic direction of global science teams across a market-leading organisation operating within pest management and hygiene-related sectors.

This is a high-impact leadership position focused on driving front-end innovation, translating ideas into commercially viable solutions, and delivering tangible products and services to market. You will play a critical role in aligning innovation roadmaps with broader business strategy while fostering a culture of technical excellence and creativity.

• Lead early-stage innovation, developing concepts from idea through to proof of concept and market-ready solutions
• Identify portfolio gaps and generate commercially viable product and service opportunities
• Drive front-end innovation initiatives with a clear focus on customer value and business growth
• Establish and manage a robust innovation pipeline, ensuring timely delivery and measurable outcomes

• Provide strong, visible leadership to global science and R&D teams, fostering high performance and continuous development
• Align global technical teams and centres of excellence with strategic business priorities
• Lead cross-functional collaboration across regions, ensuring effective delivery in a complex, international environment

• Act as a senior technical authority, providing expert guidance on complex or high-profile challenges
• Support key commercial opportunities, including bids and strategic customer engagements

We are looking for a commercially minded innovation leader who combines deep technical expertise with a proven track record of delivering real-world solutions.

• Strong experience in innovation leadership, R&D, or technical management in a relevant industry
• Proven ability to drive front-end innovation and take concepts through to successful market launch
• Demonstrable commercial mindset, with experience aligning technical innovation to business outcomes
• Track record of delivering practical, scalable solutions that create measurable impact

• Experience in pest control, biocides, pesticides, or related sectors
• Background working within global organisations or complex regulatory environments
• Exposure to open innovation, external partnerships, or technology scouting