Innovation Management Portfolio and Decision Analysis Lead

The Seeds Innovation Management Portfolio and Decision Analysis Lead is a strategic role responsible for driving high-impact portfolio analyses, valuation modeling, and investment prioritization across a global seed innovation portfolio. This role ensures that innovation investments are rigorously evaluated, resourced, and executed to deliver transformative solutions in seed technology, aligned with long-term business goals and evolving market needs.

What You’ll Do:

Portfolio and Decision Analysis Leadership

• Develop and maintain standardized R&D innovation valuation models to support investment decisions.
• Design and implement robust portfolio prioritization frameworks that guide resource allocation and strategic focus.
• Partner with Field Solutions and Digital team to build and sustain advanced tools for portfolio analysis and scenario planning.
• Ensure analytical tools and insights directly inform pipeline optimization, lifecycle management, and go/no-go decisions.

Innovation Governance & Operational Excellence

• Lead planning cycles and governance that support seed innovation investment decisions, centered around valuations and portfolio prioritization.
• Drive consistency and simplification across resource costing, data inputs, and reporting systems.
• Collaborate with finance, R&D sub-functions, and enterprise strategy teams to align budgets, capacity, and innovation targets.

Stakeholder Engagement & External Partnerships

• Serve as a strategic partner to R&D leadership, Seed Business Unit, and Corporate Strategy in evaluating business opportunities, licensing deals, and co-development initiatives.
• Ensure portfolio modeling and analytics are integrated into enterprise-level decision-making.
• Represent the innovation portfolio in executive forums, steering committees, and external engagements.

Leadership & Change Management

• Champion a data-driven innovation culture and lead organizational transformation initiatives.
• Mentor cross-functional teams and embed portfolio analysis principles across business units.
• Drive change initiatives that enhance strategic alignment, transparency, and employee engagement.

What Skills You Need:

Strategic Portfolio Management

• Expertise in portfolio prioritization frameworks, scenario planning and valuation modeling (e.g., DCF, NPV)
• Deep understanding of pipeline optimization and lifecycle management

Innovation Governance

• Ability to design and lead governance processes for portfolio analysis and prioritization, and familiarity with innovation metrics and maturity models.
• Experience embedding innovation into enterprise decision-making

Analytical & Financial Acumen

• Strong quantitative skills for investment analysis, proficiency in data visualization and reporting tools and ability to translate complex data into actionable insights

Leadership & Change Management

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams with experience driving cultural transformation and strategic alignment.

Technical & Scientific Knowledge

• Background in life sciences, biotech, or pharma R&D with strong understanding of risk assessment.

Minimum Education / Experience Required:

• Advanced degree (PhD, MD, or MBA) in life sciences, engineering, or business.
• Certifications in project management or portfolio management (e.g., PMP, PfMP) are a plus.
• 10+ years in R&D, strategy, or portfolio roles.
• Prior leadership in innovation governance or strategic planning.
• Experience with external partnerships, licensing, or M&