Product innovation manager jobs in Birmingham

Cerebra is the national charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with neurological conditions and their families. We provide vital research, support, and practical solutions that empower families facing complex challenges.

With an annual income of £3 million and a headcount of 68 employees, we have ambitious plans to double our income between 2025 and 2027, ensuring we can extend our impact, reach more families, and drive real change. To achieve this, we are investing in fundraising innovation, income generating ventures, and strategic partnerships, alongside enhancing our brand to increase our national recognition.

Our work is underpinned by our values ensuring that everything we do aligns with our mission to create a better world for children with neurological conditions.

This is an incredibly exciting time to join Cerebra, as we are preparing to launch our new strategy and brand. The COO is a vital leadership role that will support the drive towards even greater impact for children and families across the UK.

Our Services

Sleep Advice Service

Cerebra understands that if you have a child that doesn’t sleep, the whole family suffers. Many children with neurological conditions suffer from disrupted sleep. Our sleep advice service provides bespoke advice and support so that everyone can get a good night’s sleep.

Legal Rights Service

Our Legal Rights Service provides help and support to families of children with neurological conditions when they are faced with barriers and difficulties in accessing statutory support services they are entitled to. The service provides information on their legal entitlements.

Book and Toy Library Service

Our specialist postal lending library contains a wide range of books for both adults and children, plus a selection of sensory toys specifically chosen for children with a neurological condition.

Innovation and Product Design Service

Our Innovation Service designs and builds bespoke products that cater to the specific needs of children with neurological conditions. The aim of the service is to make products that are desirable and exciting, therefore promoting social inclusion, peer acceptance and enabling children to participate in everyday activities that are so often close to them.

Information Products

Cerebra publishes different information products to help families with a child with a neurological condition. Our information products offer comprehensive, up-to-date support and research-driven strategies to assist families with a wide range of issues.

Buzgi and Toy Adaptation Service

Cerebra designs and builds bespoke assistive equipment for disabled children, this includes creating custom mobility aids, switch‑adapted toys, and other innovative solutions to help children access play, learning, and independence.

The Bugzi - a mini powered wheelchair for children offers many children their first experience of independent mobility. It uses either a joystick or switches and adaptable seating for complex needs, and helps develop spatial awareness, confidence, and early mobility skills. The Bugzi is available through a national loan scheme.

Additionally, we operate commercial services (including a web shop) to supplement our income to support children and their families.

Our services are provided to families free of charge.

Job Title:

Chief Operating Officer

Reports To:

Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports:

3 senior managers (Finance (headcount of 3), HR (headcount of 1), IT (headcount of 5))

Purpose of the Role:

The Chief Operating Officer will play a vital role in supporting the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Leadership Team to deliver Cerebra’s vision and ambitious strategic aims. The Chief Operating Officer will provide strategic leadership and operational management across key areas within Cerebra including:

• Operational Systems
• Governance
• Compliance
• Finance and Growth

This is a pivotal executive leadership role, responsible for driving organisational performance, sustainability and growth. The COO will translate Cerebra’s strategic ambitions into effective operational delivery, ensuring robust governance, financial stewardship and a high-performing, values-led culture.

As a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board, the COO will lead core operational services and commercial activity, enabling the charity to maximise impact and generate sustainable income in support of its charitable objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Executive Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and Board to deliver strategic priorities, growth and long-term sustainability
• Collaboration with the Director’s Group to ensure strategic alignment across the charity. The Director’s Group consists of:

            Chief Executive Officer

            Chief Operating Officer

            Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications

            Director of Research and Support Services

• Provide expert advice on finance, operations, commercial performance and organisational risk
• Lead organisational planning, business continuity, and operational resilience
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and inclusion

Finance, Commercial & Sustainability

• Lead financial strategy, planning and performance, ensuring long-term sustainability
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cashflow and financial controls
• Lead and develop Cerebra’s strategy for commercial income , ensuring alignment with charitable objectives
• Support funding growth through strong financial insight and business case development
• Ensure robust financial governance, audit and compliance

Operations & Infrastructure

• Lead and strengthen operational functions including HR, IT, governance and administration
• Ensure effective systems, processes and infrastructure that enable growth, efficiency and impact
• Oversee procurement, contracts, facilities, and organisational compliance
• Drive innovation and value for money across operations

People & Culture

• Champion a positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture
• Oversee HR strategy, workforce planning and leadership development
• Ensure compliance with employment law and best practice
• Promote wellbeing, engagement and organisational effectiveness

Digital & Technology

• Provide strategic oversight of IT, data and digital development
• Ensure systems are secure, resilient and aligned to organisational needs
• Leverage data and technology to improve insight, decision-making and organisational impact

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure effective governance frameworks, risk management and regulatory compliance
• Support the CEO and Board with high-quality reporting and strategic insight
• Lead safeguarding, data protection and organisational risk strategy
• Drive a strong culture of accountability and ethical practice

Leadership & Management

• Lead and develop a small senior team across finance, HR and IT
• Build capability, strengthen performance, and embed a collaborative culture
• Model Cerebra’s values and leadership behaviours

Key Attributes

• Strategic and commercially minded leader with strong operational delivery experience
• Strong financial leadership and business acumen
• Proven track record of driving income growth, sustainability and organisational performance
• Skilled in governance, risk and stakeholder engagement

Please see attached job description for the Person Specification.

Job Title:  Commercial Partnership Manager

Location(s): Home-based with attendance at AdviceUK office in London and at meetings as required. 

London office: AdviceUK, 83 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0HW 

Status: Fixed term for two years (potential to become permanent) 

Reporting to:  Head of Membership and Services 

Responsible for: n/a 

Pay range:  £42,000 to £47,000 full time equivalent. £33,600 to £37,600 actual salary, dependant on experience. 

Working hours: 28 hours per week within normal operating hours (35 hours full time equivalent). Normal operating hours are 8.00am - 6.30pm, Monday – Friday. Lunch and other breaks are unpaid. 

Special conditions: Some evening and weekend work may be required for which time off in lieu (TOIL) will be granted. Some travel will be required which may entail some overnight stays. 

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds, particularly encouraging those from underrepresented groups. If you require any accessibility support or reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

JOB PURPOSE 

The postholder is responsible for securing, managing, and growing commercial partnerships with organisations that support AdviceUK’s mission, values and strategic priorities. These partnerships should significantly increase AdviceUK’s commercial income, extend AdviceUK’s reach, and achieve measurable social impact. The postholder will ensure that commercial partnerships both comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and contribute positively to AdviceUK’s reputation and influence. 

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

1. Partnership development 

• Identify, research, and secure new commercial and corporate partnership opportunities aligned with AdviceUK’s strategic and income generation priorities. 

• Develop compelling partnership propositions, including sponsorships, strategic alliances, product/service developments, cause‑related marketing, corporate social responsibility, and other commercial collaborations. 

• Identify and develop new products and services that benefit members, grow income, and support member recruitment and retention. 

• Shape new products and services with user and sector insight, applying structured approaches to testing, evaluation and scaling. Ensure that pricing, return on investment and other financial modelling is completed to demonstrate how new products or services deliver agreed objectives. 

• Bring external market insight into AdviceUK’s strategic planning and decision making, ensuring that commercial partnership propositions are clearly differentiated in the markets they are targeting. 

• Work with the Head of Membership and Services, other colleagues at AdviceUK, and AdviceUK’s existing commercial partners to develop a commercial partnership strategy, business plan and pipeline. 

• Lead negotiations and contract discussions in partnership with the Head of Membership and Services, Finance and where relevant, AdviceUK commercial partners and subsidiaries. 

• Ensure all partnerships align with the charity’s mission, values and ethical standards.  

• Carry out appropriate due diligence and risk assessments on commercial partners

2. Partnership management and growth 

• Act as the primary relationship manager for AdviceUK’s current commercial partners and subsidiaries to ensure they feel valued, informed, and engaged throughout the partnership lifecycle. 

• Maximise the value of established partnerships through renewals, extensions, upselling opportunities, and agreed new income generation activity. Support cross‑team collaboration and knowledge sharing. 

• Identify opportunities for innovation and growth within AdviceUK’s commercial partnerships portfolio. 

• Support the communication of impact to partners, including reporting on outcomes enabled by their support. 

• Represent AdviceUK at events, conferences and networks relevant to the commercial partnerships portfolio.

3. Income generation and performance 

• Ensure all partnerships deliver against agreed financial and non‑financial objectives. Contribute to departmental budgeting and forecasting. 

• Monitor partnership performance and provide accurate reporting on partnership income, engagement, and impact. 

• Contribute to the ongoing review of existing commercial partnerships and service level agreements, making recommendations for change as required. 

• Share learning, insight, and good practice to continually improve commercial partnership approaches.  

• Ensure compliance with Charity Commission and Companies House guidance, relevant fundraising regulations, and internal governance policies.  

• Work closely with AdviceUK colleagues to deliver integrated partnership activities.  

4. Data and evidence

• Support the delivery of performance reports as required to evidence the extent to which commercial partnerships are achieving required KPIs. 

• Work with colleagues to ensure that partnership datasets are accurate, timely and support decision making. 

• Ensure any partnership activity that requires data sharing adheres to data protection and cybersecurity requirements. 

5. General responsibilities

• Ensure you effectively communicate AdviceUK’s vision, mission and objectives to staff, members and external stakeholders. 
• Ensure you demonstrate AdviceUK’s values and behaviours in all aspects of your work. 
• Build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders including staff, trustees, members, partners and suppliers. 
• With support from your manager, deliver your agreed personal objectives and undertake any agreed development or training. 
• Maintain a strong understanding of our members and the advice sector more generally, by reading internal reports; accessing relevant data reports; following our social media channels; and, where possible, attending member and other relevant events. With the agreement of your line manager, ensure you make time to speak to members and visit their services. 
• Adhere at all times to AdviceUK’s policies and procedures. 
• Carry out any reasonable duties compatible with the post assigned by the Head of Membership and Services. 

Unifrog’s mission

We’re on a mission to level the playing field when it comes to young people finding and applying for their next step after school. We're achieving this by bringing all the available information into one single, impartial, user-friendly platform that helps students to make the best choices, and submit the strongest applications. We also empower teachers and counsellors to manage the progression process effectively.
 

Our outlook is global - we work with schools and universities all over the world, from the US to New Zealand, and from Italy to Hong Kong. We want to make it so that young people can compare every opportunity taught in English, wherever it is in the world, and have all the support they need to make successful applications.
 

We have a clear social purpose, and we’re hugely ambitious. We already work with over half of UK secondary schools, and hundreds of international schools. We are growing rapidly in terms of the number of our customers, in terms of how much they use our platform, and in terms of the breadth of products we offer.
 

Our team is at the heart of our business and is integral to our success. We work hard to foster a culture of openness, happiness and innovation, and we commit to helping every individual learn and grow so that they can reach their full potential. We want to hire talented people, whatever their background. If you are excited by our mission and are ready to work hard, please don’t hesitate to apply. We look forward to hearing from you!
 

We believe in the power of diversity. If you are from an ethnic minority background, we would like to strongly encourage you to apply. In advance of applying, if you have any questions about working at Unifrog, please contact our Recruitment Lead (contact details on our jobs page). 

What you’ll do
 

As International Partnerships Lead for the Middle East, Africa and Europe, your role is to provide world class customer service and support to over 250 international schools from around the world. You will build and maintain excellent working relationships with your partner schools, supporting them to make the most of the Unifrog platform. Solutions and customer service focused, you will make sure that all interactions with Unifrog are prompt, positive and successful. 

You will cover the Middle East and Africa, with possible opportunities for international travel for school visits or conferences once a year.

Your key responsibilities will include:
 

• Being the first point of contact for our international partner schools in the region. 

• Working with your partner Area Manager to improve Unifrog engagement across the region and making sure schools are making the most of the platform.

• Monitoring, auditing and analysing usage across partner schools, identifying schools that need additional support to use the platform effectively.

• Provide resources and strategies to partner schools to maximise staff and student engagement with Unifrog, identifying and promoting best practice across partner schools.

• Delivering targeted training sessions for partner schools via workshops and webinars. This could be a video meeting with a counselor, a webinar with lots of teachers attending from around the world; or an in-person visit to one of our partner schools subject to travel restrictions.

• Onboarding new schools that join us. You will make sure that they are properly set up on our platform and have a strong plan in place so that they and their students can get the most out of Unifrog.

• Responding to queries and troubleshooting issues and providing on-the-spot support via phone, email and video calls.

• Proactively working to foster a sense of community amongst our Unifrog partners.

What we’re looking for
 

• Strong communication skills – ability to articulate ideas clearly and concisely over email, phone and on video calls.

• Track record of excellent relationship management and customer service.

• Active listening and objection handling skills.

• Problem-solving skills and the ability to find solutions to queries independently.

• Confident working independently but happy to ask for support when it’s needed.

• Extremely well organised, with a keen attention to detail.

• A background and interest in education would be an advantage.

• Proactive attitude and willingness to get stuck in. 

You will be joining a team of highly motivated people who are passionate about our mission of helping students to find the best next step for them after school. If this excites you, you love building relationships, and you’re an energetic person who is willing to learn, then we’d love to hear from you.

Working together

You’ll work alongside the Area Manager for your region as well as colleagues in our International Partnerships team and the wider International schools team. You’ll be line managed by our International Partnerships Manager (London-based).

Benefits

On our jobs page you’ll find a full list of the benefits we offer our team, including:

• Mission focussed
  
  Join one of Escape the City’s top 1% employers and help transform careers and destinations in schools.

• Growing company
  
  Become part of a committed, dynamic, and growing company. We want to build our team for the long term: if you do well, we will do our best to make sure you want to stay at the company for a long time.

• Growing individually
  
  Professional development is important at Unifrog. You will define your own 6-month objectives and will be supported by your line manager and the rest of the team to achieve them. You will have an annual training allowance to spend on what you need to grow and progress.

• Have impact
  
  Influence the company’s direction: we love to promote great ideas, wherever they come from.
   

Key details

• UK salary: £38,332 per annum plus team commission (OTE: £43,000). 

• HK salary: HKD 32,007 per month,  plus HK living allowance (HKD 5,670 per month) and commission (OTE: HKD 41,575 per month). 

• Grade B.

• Full-time.

• 28 days paid holiday per year (plus bank holidays).

• If UK based, normal working hours are 8am - 4pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8am - 3.30pm on Friday. (Sometimes you may be required to start earlier or finish later). 

• If Hong Kong based, normal working hours are 10am to 6pm Monday to Thursday, and 10am to 5.30pm on Friday. (Sometimes you may be required to start earlier or finish later).

• Work remotely in the UK or flexibly from our London office, or remotely in Hong Kong or flexibly from our Hong Kong office.

• Start date: as soon as possible, though we will be flexible for the right candidate.

• If you require reasonable adjustments, or want to discuss any details about the role before applying please contact our recruitment lead (contact details on our jobs page)

• We can only consider candidates who have the right to work in the UK or Hong Kong.

Application process

• Deadline: 10:00 (BST) on Monday 22nd June 2026.

• Stage 1: Application form (~1 hour)

• Visit our website to upload your CV and complete the questions and tasks below. Please note that we do not review CVs at this stage of the application process so please be as specific as possible about your experience.

i.  With reference to examples of your recent experience, what would make you an excellent candidate for this role? (250 words)

ii. Tell us about a time when you had to build a relationship with someone when it was particularly challenging. What was your approach? (250 words)

• Stage 2: Phone task (15 minutes)

• Stage 3: Video call interview (1 hour)

• Short demonstration of a Unifrog tool (resources will be provided) (10 minutes)

• Standard Q&A from a panel of three, including questions about your experiences and how these relate to the role, and scenario questions based on common situations you might face (plus time for your questions) (50 minutes).

• Phone interviews will be held throughout the application window. Video call interviews will be held w/c 29th June 2026.

• Your answers are an opportunity to let us know more about your motivations and experience. While we understand that candidates might want to use AI to improve parts of their application, we strongly encourage you to write your answers independently. 

• Please note, we compare all answers to an AI-generated answer. Where we suspect AI has been used to write the majority of the answer, this will be taken into consideration when scoring. You can find more details and our full policy on AI on our Unifrog jobs page.

Inclusion and diversity at Unifrog

• How we communicate

Within the company we try to foster a culture of innovation, and a happy working environment, both because this is the right thing to do, and because we think this results in the most effective team. To this end we believe in open communication, celebrating successes, supporting each other, not being afraid to be wrong or to fail, and promoting good ideas wherever they come from.

• Embedded EDI

As a platform that supports teachers and students from a huge variety of backgrounds it’s important that our team and leadership reflects this diversity. This is something we are actively working towards and prioritising. We embed diversity, equity and inclusion across everything we do, continually evaluating policies and practices to make sure they are inclusive and equitable.

To make sure everyone’s voice is heard and people have the opportunities to learn to be better allies in the workplace, we encourage the team to share what they’re celebrating, facilitate training and group discussions, and seek regular feedback about what more the company could do to help people feel included.

• Recruitment processes

To ensure that our recruitment process is consistent and fair, we anonymise your application and therefore do not see your name, personal, educational or professional background. We also randomise the order of responses so that it’s less likely that a candidate is advantaged or disadvantaged by where their answers appear compared to other candidates.