Innovation and R&D Director

Robert Walters has partnered with a leading semi-government organization focused on a very innovative and high profile development project in KSA.

They're looking to hire an Innovation Director to help lead the department, focusing on driving the innovation strategy, end-to-end management of the innovation pipeline, developing business cases and implementing impactful solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Developing and implementing the company's innovation strategy
• Oversee the entire innovation pipeline, managing processes from ideation through concept development to successful implementation and market launch.
• Collaborate closely with various departments to integrate innovative solutions into existing business models, ensuring all initiatives are aligned with overarching organisational objectives.
• Address key challenges by prioritising projects effectively and identifying impactful solutions through open innovation practices and research-driven initiatives involving external partners such as universities and research labs.
• Identify new opportunities for products or services by staying attuned to shifts in customer needs, technological advancements, and industry best practices.
• Preparing compelling business cases and presenting them persuasively to stakeholders and executive leadership teams.
• Lead brainstorming sessions as well as ideation workshops designed to generate, refine, and select high-potential ideas for further development.
• Manage departmental budgets efficiently while allocating resources strategically to maximise the success rate of innovation initiatives.
  
  

Key Requirements:

• Min.15 years of experience across innovation management, R&D, strategy
• Master's degree in business administration, engineering or a related field
• A minimum of 8 years' experience managing diverse teams
• Technical proficiency in business processes, innovation methodologies such as design thinking, and digital transformation tools