Senior Manager, Industry Engagement

Job Description

The Senior Manager of Industry Engagement (Innovation) plays a pivotal role in steering innovation initiatives through meticulous project scoping and driving the organization's technological advancement. This role involves supports the AVP in fostering collaboration within the external tech ecosystem, engaging with regulators, governmental agencies, research institutes, and technology partners. The incumbent will secure resources, approvals, and support for innovation projects, developing an extensive network of technology partners, leading the scoping of technology development, and effectively managing key stakeholders. Aligning business objectives with product vision and ensuring the successful execution of innovation endeavors are key priorities.

The key responsibilities shall include but not limited to:
Tech Ecosystem Development:

- Collaboration with External Tech Ecosystem Stakeholders
- Proactively engage and build partnerships with external stakeholders, including regulators, governmental agencies, research institutes, and companies, to gain support for innovation projects.
- Lead, secure approvals and resources necessary for collaborations and trials and develop blueprints for full-scale implementation.
- Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends, participate actively in innovation challenges and co-research projects to drive the organization's technological advancement.

Develop and Maintain a Robust Network of Technology Partners
- Leverage diverse sources and channels to identify and connect with technology partners capable of addressing technological gaps and evolving requirements.
- Source for innovation and technology partners, building a reliable and extensive network of technology vendors.

Project Scoping (Technology Development and Experimentations):

- Drive collaboration with external and internal teams across various business units to understand unique challenges and requirements comprehensively.
- Conduct thorough research, advocate for the adoption of new technologies, oversee design and prototyping efforts, and guide the development of new workflows.
- Work with vendors and system integrators to scope up projects and ensure alignment with business objectives.

Develop Innovation and Technology Roadmap
- Establish and implement innovation and technology roadmap to enable long-term strategic planning of products and processes by setting out clear goals, action steps, time frames, risk factors, and other essential elements of technology implementation.

Intellectual Property (IP) Advisory:

- Provide guidance on Intellectual Property (IP) requirements associated with innovation projects.
- Collaborate with legal teams to ensure compliance with IP laws and regulations.

Stakeholder Management:

- Engage C-level Executives on alignment of business objectives and product vision.
- Foster engagement with stakeholders to secure their buy-in and support for various project work streams.
- Engage External Stakeholders for Support and Approvals.
- Continuously collaborate with external stakeholders, such as regulators and governmental agencies, to garner essential support, approvals, and resources necessary to facilitate successful collaborations and trials for full-scale implementation.

Job Requirement
- Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain or related field from a recognised institution.
- At least 8 to 10 years of experience in industry engagement, innovation, and project management with a focus on technology-driven initiatives preferred.
- Experience in industry engagement, collaborating with external stakeholders, and securing approvals and resources for innovation projects.
- Proven ability to build and maintain a wide network within the technology ecosystem, including relationships with technology partners.
- Demonstrated ability in scoping and managing technology development projects and implementing innovative workflows.
- Strong knowledge of the industry and emerging trends, with the ability to anticipate technology needs and opportunities.
- Familiarity with Intellectual Property (IP) requirements for innovation projects, including the ability to provide basic advice on strategic IP filing and collaborate with legal teams for IP laws compliance.