Innovation Manager

Full Job Description

Mother Tongue is a language services agency based in Bankside, London SE1, specializing in the creative translation of advertising and marketing copy, and related insight and content services for global brands. We are part of Omnicom, one of the world’s largest marketing services groups. We are currently hiring an Innovation Manager.

Job description

The main focus of the role is to drive and champion innovation projects across our global operations. You will need to maintain strong relationships with colleagues at all levels within the organisation, as well as with our partner agencies and clients. With an initial focus on the appropriate deployment of AI tools within the localization workflow, you will use your detailed knowledge of the language services sector and its tools and practices to improve our ways of working and expand our service offering. In addition to innovation initiatives, you will have the opportunity to be involved in other key strategic projects.

Core responsibilities of this role:

• In collaboration with senior management, develop and maintain a clear strategic pipeline of innovation projects, with set timelines, from concept through to implementation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to generate ideas that address industry challenges.
• Liaise with innovation teams in our partner agencies to share ideas and knowledge.
• Act as an “innovation evangelist", providing expert insight to colleagues and clients.
• Continuously evaluate the possibilities, practicalities, regulation, and ethics of LLMs and other generative AI technologies with respect to the language services industry, and develop projects accordingly.
• Regularly explore and discuss innovation opportunities with existing and potential clients.
• Keep up to date with industry trends and best practices.
• Represent Mother Tongue’s innovation strategy at industry events, including presenting.
• Explore and evaluate digital trends and emerging technologies, new methodologies and working practices, and advise the executive team accordingly.
• Ensure deployment of innovative practices and tools is in line with IT and data policies.
• Design and carry out testing, evaluation and implementation projects relating to new tools and ways of working.

Candidate profile

At Mother Tongue, we are defined by our positivity, rigour, resourcefulness and passion for language. The ideal applicant will possess these qualities, as well as the following:

Necessary

• Excellent communication (verbal and written).
• Demonstrable ability to develop and execute strategic projects within agreed timeframes.
• Deep knowledge of the translation and localization sector, particularly with reference to relevant technologies and business methodologies.
• Enthusiasm for innovation and improvement, with the ability to drive and inspire innovative and creative thinking across the organisation.
• Working knowledge of relevant AI applications (e.g. neural machine translation, use of LLMs for linguistic work and workflow automation), with an understanding of ethical and regulatory concerns and industry best practice.
• Experience of presenting innovative concepts and projects in an engaging manner to stakeholders at all levels, with the ability to communicate complex ideas to a diverse audience.
• A strong collaborative instinct, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues and advisors from within Mother Tongue, from other Omnicom agencies, and from client and partner organisations, with a variety of priorities, across the globe.
• Very strong creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Desirable

• Knowledge of a recognised business improvement methodology (Six Sigma, etc.).
• Working knowledge of the uses and limitations of API integration.
• A wide network of technical and continuous improvement contacts within the translation industry, for sharing ideas and best practices.
• Working knowledge of one or more languages other than English.

You must have the right to work in the UK.

At Mother Tongue we recognise the importance of diversity of thought within our teams and are fully committed to embracing and maximising the talents of our people. We believe that Inclusion and Diversity makes for a more stimulating and inspiring working environment, where people are treated with respect and can be comfortable being themselves. Embracing these different approaches and thinking helps deliver tangible and positive results for our clients’ businesses.

Working arrangements

The role is based in our office in Bankside, London SE1, which is fully mobility accessible, with gender-neutral bathrooms. You should expect to be in the office 3 days a week, where we have an agile seating arrangement, with the possibility of home working the remainder of the week. Experience of remote working is therefore an advantage, as you will need to get familiar with our culture and ways of working, and integrate into our team, with limited face-to-face time.

Benefits

The right candidate can expect a fun, friendly working environment and a competitive remuneration package. We also offer the following benefits.

• Company pension scheme
• Private medical insurance
• Medical cash plan
• Meal subsidy on days when you work in the office
• Personal Development Budget
• Volunteer Days to give back

How to apply

To apply, please submit a CV and add a covering note explaining what attracts you to the role, what you would bring to the company, your salary expectations, and earliest possible start date.

We will always seek to make appropriate adjustments to recruitment, workplaces and work processes to be fully inclusive to people with different needs and working styles. If you need us to make any reasonable adjustments for you from application onwards, please let us know.