Job Description:
The Director, Innovation & New Markets is a champion for innovation across the Information Management business with a primary focus on new business opportunities in new/adjacent areas leveraging technology capabilities.
The position is responsible for:
• Innovation Process Management: new idea generation, investigation and filtering; including technical and business research and any associated intellectual property management related to the ideas.
• Business / Technology Development and Commercialization for new markets.
The general objectives of this position is to increase flow and development of innovative ideas that result in business growth (current and new business) and to successfully commercialize new ideas outside the current core businesses.
REQUIRED RESPONSIBILITIES:
Innovation Process
• Create, deploy and manage the processes and tools to generate, assess, and action new innovative ideas. The process should be on-going in nature, inclusive yet protective of ideas with appropriate reviews and feedback loops.
• Foster a mindset of creativity and innovation throughout the organization; facilitate working sessions devoted to innovation and idea generation; create internal social networks; provide recognition for unique and impactful ideas
• Lead process of filtering, selection, and prioritizing of ideas for advancement.
• Develop and manage relationships with key universities, technology incubators, etc
• Maintain up-to-date and in-depth view of new relevant and disruptive technologies and providers of these technologies. Provide periodic and on-going assessment of the impact on future products, substitutes, market disruptions, and opportunities for differentiation.
• Define metrics and measure/communicate progress towards becoming a more innovative organization.
Business / Technology Development & Commercialization (for categories outside existing business)
• Leadership for business and technology development of new and adjacent opportunities
• Early stage definition / development of technology and concepts
• Business research and early market development for new ideas
• Strategic and tactical business plan development and execution management
• Proposal development for funding, partnerships, etc.
• Development of timely resource plans and funding needs / budgets and associated management of these plans/budgets.
• Secure resources as needed for projects and programs.
• People management of dedicated resources.
• Planning for and leadership of idea commercialization (program dependent)
Desired Skills and Experience
REQUIRED SKILLS AND/OR KNOWLEDGE SPECIFICATIONS:
• Broad understanding of business and technology and technology related processes (i.e. early stage development process)
• Strategic thinker with an ability to recognize impactful ideas and develop business and technology strategies/roadmaps – able to interpret business strategies and determine innovative solutions to support these strategies
• Possesses strong organizational skills and an ability to link ideas and people
• Possesses the ability to interact and influence at all levels within organization
• Curiosity to pursue interesting without getting distracted and being able to navigate where there is little to no guidance
• Strong and agile leadership capability including acting like an owner, champion and drive initiatives, effective collaboration, building strong working relationships, results oriented.
DESIRED SKILLS AND/OR KNOWLEDGE SPECIFICATIONS:
• Proven experience in ability to understand wide-ranging, out of the ordinary technical and business proposals in depth
• Experience in “ideation/brainstorming” to bring new ideas to fruition
• Network/connections with relevant universities, technology incubators, etc.
• New idea proposal generation
• New technology based business creation
• Experience in helping other people turn their ideas into reality
• Experience with technology licensing (in / out)
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE SPECIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in technology (Master’s degree preferred). 10 years of broad experience in business technology development.
A passionate leader with demonstrated success leading a motivated and highly productive team through direct and indirect reporting relationships.
REQUIRED SKILLS FOR ALL POSITIONS:
• Work independently or as part of larger team.
• Orientation toward detail and thoroughness.
• Aptitude to learn quickly.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Work effectively in an environment where goals and specifications are constantly changing
• Takes initiative and works with minimal guidance
• Effective time management skills
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