VP/Head - Innovations - IT

Job description:

The Role

The VP and HEAD of INNOVATION will lead on all strategic innovation and Shape the Future programs for the company and will report directly into the CMO and Chief Innovation Officer.

Globally responsible for leading all new and existing breakthrough innovation in areas that impact the whole, including but not limited to:

- Shape the Future platform (group-wide entrepreneurial program),

- Start-up incubation,

- Innovation programs with development communities,

- Innovation showcases,

- Relationships with academia inc. Harvard, Imperial College, MIT and Singularity University etc.

- Co-creation and innovation with customers and partners

- Building up company wide IP/Patent catalogue.

Requires thorough understanding of global technology trends utilized within the communications and digital industries to develop new products and technologies to sustain the company in a leadership position.

The incumbent manage a team in excess of 25 fte and be expected to also manage start-up groups and managing an associated capex and opex budget in excess of $10M.

They will be effective communications across all levels from direct management to Group CTO level and across all functions; Finance, HR, Product, Marketing and Corp Strategy, both internal and external (customers, partners, academics, dev groups, regulatory and entrepreneurs.

Areas of Responsibility

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

- Primary responsibility for the global development and execution of sound Innovation technical and engagement platforms. Delivering actionable innovations/ technology for the group.

- Regular interface with GMC and CEO in progressing identified opportunities to tangible, robust business case (board level where appropriate)

- Work closely with the organization and finance to manage investment P&L and ROI

- Guide the research pipelines of New Product Developments (NPD) in line with corporate strategy and market opportunities ensuring that pipelines align

- Devise and develop the mid and long-term pipeline of Innovation activities and align these with marketing plans and shorter-term business unit initiatives.

- Assess existing technology platforms as well as potential external technologies/ organizations for acquisition, licensing or partnership.

- Represent the innovation capability of the group at customers, industry and Group events

- Identify and establish partnerships with key external groups, e.g. Universities, Research Institutions, industry bodies, development communities.

- Lead the internal cultural change program driving an increase in the creativity and innovation of our internal workforce

- Developing rapid prototyping and proof of concepts throughout the existing product development infrastructure where appropriate

- Ensure that all Intellectual Property (IP) generated by the activities of the Innovation group is protected by appropriate means.

- Manage the Innovation/start-up teams and drive projects to improve their capabilities.

- Perform all necessary duties to ensure high levels of employee engagement including 1:1's with all teams Managers (weekly) and other staff (monthly); monthly Management, and monthly and bi-annual team meetings

- Deliver return on investment

Ankisha Maheshwari
Mumbai | Indore | Ahmedabad
+91 8982443444