Exploring Innovation Roles at Liberty IT
From pioneering new technologies to improving customer experiences and streamlining business processes, our teams are constantly pushing boundaries.
At Liberty IT, innovation has always been at the core of what we do and has always been driving the future of technology. But what exactly does an Innovation role look like in practice?
We sat down with Claire, Director of Engineering, to discuss what it means to work in innovation, the skills required, and the exciting career opportunities available.
Defining Innovation Roles in IT
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us today, Claire. Let’s start with what it means to have an innovation role in IT.
It’s natural to think that innovation is about coming up with ideas, but it’s much more than that. It’s about finding real, impactful ways to use technology to solve business challenges.
Sometimes, that means improving existing systems; sometimes, it’s about experimenting with new technology, and sometimes it’s pushing forward ideas that seem impossible at first.
At Liberty IT, we take a hands-on approach - prototyping, testing, and refining solutions to make sure they genuinely deliver value.
What kind of work does your innovation team focus on?
It’s about constantly thinking ‘How can we do this better?’. We look at emerging technologies in fields such as AI, XR and data analytics to explore how they can make a difference for our customers and our own teams.
Key Skills For Success In Innovation
Claire, what skills does someone need to work in innovation?
You need to be curious, interested in new technology, and a continuous learner! Problem-solving is key, too—and as we’re constantly experimenting, you need to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty.
We work across so many teams, being able to collaborate and communicate ideas clearly is just as important as technical skills. Read Claire’s extensive interview on the skills needed to work in innovation here.
Would you need a strong technical background to work in innovation?
Not necessarily. A lot of our team have backgrounds in software engineering and data science, but we also have people who come from product, UX, and design.
It’s about how you think, not just what you know. That said, understanding things like coding, cloud platforms, and data science definitely helps.
What Are the Different Innovation Roles at Liberty IT?
Are there different innovation roles, or is it one general job?
There’s actually a whole range of roles in innovation. We have engineers who build prototypes and test new tech, architects who design the bigger picture solutions, and AI specialists who focus on machine learning and automation.
We also have UX designers making sure our innovation remains user centric. It’s not one-size-fits-all - there are lots of ways to be part of innovation here.
Innovation On A Day To Day Base
What does a typical day look like for someone in an innovation role?
Rarely two days are the same - that’s what makes it exciting. One day, we might be deep-diving into a new technology and researching it’s impact on our insurance products.
Another day, we could be working with engineers to develop a proof of concept or presenting an idea to leadership.
We also spend a lot of time collaborating—understanding our users challenges and pain points, testing prototypes, and figuring out what which ideas to take forward. There’s always something new happening.
Building a Career in Innovation
For someone interested in innovation, what’s the best way to start?
Basically, get comfortable experimenting, try building small projects, play around with Gen AI and keep up to date with tech trends.
There are so many great online resources and communities where you can start developing your skills. And don’t be afraid to ask questions, as innovation is about learning and adapting.
What makes Liberty IT a great place for innovation?
From day one, we encourage people to try new things, there’s a genuine openness to pushing boundaries. If you have an idea, people will listen, and you’ll have the support to make it happen.
There’s also a big focus on learning; maybe you’re just starting out or have years of experience, there are always opportunities to develop your skills.
We’re also interested in driving digital innovation in education - we often work with students to help them develop their learning and approach to problem-solving.
Join Our Innovative Team
As we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, we’re always looking for talented individuals to join our innovation teams. Interested in being part of a high-impact, forward-thinking environment? Explore our latest career opportunities today!
Want to know more about innovation at Liberty IT? Here’s how we celebrated innovation success and impressed Bank Of England representatives when we discussed how innovation works at Liberty IT.
