Innovation Manager (Gaming / Statistical)

Allwyn

  • Watford, Hertfordshire
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 1 day ago
  • Apply easily
We are Allwyn UK, part of the Allwyn Entertainment Group – a multi-national lottery operator with a market-leading presence across Europe which includes: Czech Republic, Austria, Greece, Cyprus & Italy.While the main contribution of The National Lottery to society is through the funds to good causes, at Allwyn we put our purpose and values at the heart of everything we do. Join us as we embark on a once-in-a-lifetime, largescale transformation journey by creating a National Lottery that delivers more money to good causes.We’ll talk a bit more about us further down the page, but for now – let’s talk about the role and who we’re looking for…A bit about the role…The Innovation Manager is involved in designing and delivering the next generation of propositions that will shape how players engage with The National Lottery. Sitting at the intersection of commercial strategy, player insight, and game mechanics, this role is involved in the end-to-end development of new products from concept to internal approval and handover to relevant proposition teams.This role is about more than new products, it’s about crafting deeply resonant propositions that respond to real player needs, tap into behavioural insight, and align with Positive Play and Matters to be Protected principles. It requires curiosity to understand what makes a new proposition or product work, and creativity to shape how players experience that proposition across every touchpoint.The Innovation Manager must be comfortable with developing new ideas, responding to business needs, and navigating the business to execute effectively. As a core part of the growth engine of The National Lottery, this is a role that demands intellectual curiosity, commercial discipline, and passionate advocacy for both our players and our purpose.What you’ll be doing…Proposition Strategy and Design
  • Work with Senior Innovation Managers to define compelling value propositions for new games or features.
  • Identify and interpret category, player and behavioural trends, to inform proposition development
  • Articulate desired player outcomes, behavioural objectives, and commercial targets.
  • Partner with Insight and Strategy to test concepts through qualitative and quantitative methods including customer validation i.e. (A/B testing, focus groups).
  • Ensure player-first, cross-touchpoint design, thinking beyond product to customer experience.
Commercial, Regulatory and Technical Viability
  • Support the game modelling process with Commercial Finance, including prize structure design, payout structures, pricing strategy, and revenue forecasting.
  • Ensure propositions are operationally feasible and commercially sound, considering the regulatory and technical guardrails.
  • Support the development of regulatory requirements and governance expectations ensuring all propositions meet licensing standards and compliance needs
  • Champion Positive Play principles and Matters to be Protected within innovation projects ensuring every design enhances player wellbeing, builds trust, and aligns with the values of The National Lottery.
Project Leadership and Cross-Functional Delivery
  • Support proposition development through internal governance and delivery milestones.
  • Support the briefing of the proposition and customer experience through Retail and Digital channels.
  • Maintain proposition clarity and intent throughout delivery from ideation to BAU handover.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams across Legal, Regulatory, Tech, Brand, CRM, Retail, and Digital, supported by, Project Management, to deliver the proposition to market, making a compelling internal case for player impact and commercial return.
Practice Building and Sector Awareness
  • Contribute to the broader innovation pipeline and strategic portfolio planning.
  • Bring fresh thinking from gaming, FMCG, behavioural science, and global lottery markets.
  • Participate in ideation forums, and cross-team knowledge sharing.
Key Interfaces
  • Senior Innovation Manager: Strategic direction, prioritisation, and proposition quality.
  • Game Vertical Teams: Alignment and GTM transition.
  • Insight and Strategy: Segmentation, testing, behavioural validation .
  • Commercial Finance: Commercial modelling and business case development.
  • Legal, Regulatory and Participant Protection: Proposition compliance and licensing.
  • Technology, Brand, CRM, Retail, Digital: Delivery inputs, journey mapping, and readiness
  • Programme Management: Tracking, resource planning, governance coordination.
What experience we’re looking for…
  • Demonstrable experience in proposition development, innovation, product strategy and commercial planning.
  • Mathematically capable, with a focus on evaluating prize structures, payout models and probability of game mechanics.
  • Demonstrable ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative data to drive insights and validate hypotheses, turning insight into actionable - scalable propositions.
  • Solution-oriented and a natural problem solver. Highly curious and able to identify project blockers and find ways to navigate the business to overcome them.
  • Some familiarity with probabilistic game design or lottery/gaming mechanics preferable.
  • Experienced in managing large-scale cross-functional projects.
  • Sector background in gaming, entertainment, FMCG, or consumer-centric innovation preferable.
Key Measures of Success:
  • Delivery of commercially sound propositions with clear behavioural KPIs, audience clarity, and commercial justification.
  • Effective use of data and insights to support delivery of proposition
  • Effective measurement Player impact and commercial performance post-launch
  • Collaborative leadership - building cross-functional trust and internal buy-in.
About us:‍We’ve developed ground-breaking technologies, built player protection frameworks, and have a proven track record of making lotteries better.
  • Innovation - We pride ourselves on it! We’re constantly looking for new ways to excite our customers, bringing new products to enjoy which is all underpinned by our responsible play values and making them accessible to all.
  • Giving back – Did you know that playing the lottery generates around £30m a week for charities and good causes in the UK? Our aim is to have doubled this number by the end of the first 10 year licence
  • Sustainability – Our aim to be net zero by 2030 which would make us the first lottery provider globally to achieve this
  • Inclusion and accessibility – We are making all parts of The National Lottery inclusive – whether you play a game in a store or online.
If you need any assistance or adjustments to this job description or in the application process, please contact a member of the talent team at and we’ll be happy to help.An inclusive reward offering with wellbeing at the centre…At Allwyn, we’ve put together a range of inclusive benefits and policies to support our colleagues at every stage of their lives and careers.Here’s a list of some of the fantastic benefits we offer…
  • Company bonus scheme
  • Matched pension contributions up to 8.5%
  • 26 days annual leave + 2 Life Days (and bank holidays)
  • Complimentary Private Medical
  • Life Assurance
  • Enhanced Maternity & Paternity leave
  • £500 wellness allowance
  • Access to nutritional advisor and personal trainers
  • Discounted Health Assessments
  • Complimentary Financial coaching
Our benefits and policies reflect our commitment to wellbeing and inclusivity and are enhanced with features that benefit our colleagues (and their families). By offering a variety of benefits that support our colleagues, we continue to create a place of work where people feel rewarded and can succeed.We want to create one of the UK’s most inclusive organisations – where people can bring the best of themselves, to do their best work, every day, for the benefit of good causes.Allwyn is an Equal Opportunity Employer which prides itself in being diverse and inclusive. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or victimisation in the workplace. All employment decisions at Allwyn are based on the business needs, the job requirements, and the individual qualifications. Allwyn encourages applications from individuals regardless of age, disability (visible or hidden), sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.We are a Disability Confident Leader which means we’ve taken proactive steps to ensure our workplace is accessible and inclusive for disabled colleagues and candidates. As part of this we offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential requirements of the job.

Allwyn