Director Innovation Management - Technology & Software

THIS ROLE MAY BE BASED REMOTELY IN NORTH AMERICA

The Director Innovation Management works with senior management to assist and direct the development and execution of UL Solutions innovation initiatives that enhance client value and drive revenue growth. This role seeks, wins, and executes minimally viable products (MVPs) with clients, including executing strategic investments and partnerships.  The Director is responsible for identifying opportunities to leverage concepts, tools, techniques, training, process, and metrics to improve the UL Solutions capability and performance in idea generation, concept development and launch, business case development, and portfolio management. This role will analyze data and trends around services offering innovation that helps us identify and implement best practices, while exploring new technologies (i.e. AI / AR / MR) and disruptive capabilities to enhance solutions and offerings.  

• Manages, along with Senior Leadership, global innovation development initiatives.  
• Directs the development of new and innovative products and services from technical and business perspectives. 
• Manages budget for innovation resources, initiatives, market discovery, and establishment of innovation infrastructure, along with initial pricing and revenue generation for pilot engagements or customer-driven innovation.
• Collaborates with UL Solutions process owners to ensure the new service development process is well-understood, embraced, and supported company-wide, and that communication and process coordination is handled as smoothly as possible.
• Convenes cross-functional teams to explore holistic solution or portfolio innovation with implications across operating units, service delivery infrastructure, and business models.
• Assists in global communications strategies around business imperative for innovation, corporate innovation projects and initiatives, as well as their ties to the company’s strategic vision and plans.
• Establishes training programs, capacity building resources, and incubator programs to build innovation skillsets and culture across the broader organization to streamline innovation process from concept validation to market launch and scalable business lines.
• Drives continual improvement in company execution of new organic service offering development and helps company establish and refine associated benchmarks, performance metrics, and revenue goals over time.
• Identify, develop and execute high-impact innovation strategy and roadmap aligned to strategic business goals and growth priorities for the business. 
• Works closely with the business teams and product management to create viable business models and commercialization strategies for mature innovations. 
• Builds an ecosystem of aligned partners, network providers, and external stakeholders to continually support innovation, inorganic growth, and solution validation.
• Manages the performance of direct reports by developing accountabilities, establishing performance objectives, providing career counseling, feedback and guidance and ensuring that all policies are understood and adhered to
• Promotes the company’s innovation agenda; influence and obtain support from business leaders and senior management for successful execution of the agenda.

• University Degree (Equivalent to Bachelor’s degree) in Computer science, Business, Engineering, Marketing, Finance or related disciplines. MBA or equivalent advanced degree is preferred.
• 12+ years relevant experience in innovation, technology and / or solutions development. 
• Demonstrated success in defining a culture of innovation and driving dramatic growth through new revenue sources.
• Strong technical understanding to turn complex technical information into simplified and creative stories to package to internal and external stakeholders.
• Self-starter with ability to work autonomously on a team and within a matrix environment.
• Ability to lead groups of internal and external senior leaders and executives of all sizes towards desired outcomes to meet business objectives.
• Ability to conduct discovery sessions with clients, prospects, and stakeholders to diagnose business opportunities, elicit requirements and conduct other types of research.
• Formal training and/or certification in Innovation management is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and detail orientated.

Expected Outcomes of Role 

• Establishes clear and concise innovation strategy for the organization. 
• Innovation strategy is understood and endorsed by key stakeholders including executive leadership and innovation team members.
• Balanced innovation portfolio and roadmap exists that drives investment & top line growth.
   

Total Rewards: The salary range