Senior Manager, Open Innovation

Lab Summary:

Samsung Research America’s Open Innovation Group identifies and incubates innovative external technologies that accelerate Samsung’s development and market position of its industry-leading consumer electronics.  We proactively create partnership and investment opportunities with breakthrough technologies that have a direct impact on Samsung’s core product & services across smartphones, tablets, wearables, PCs, TVs, appliances, and more.  In addition to driving both the technical and business processes to validate and commercialize new technologies in Samsung’s existing products, we maintain a strong pulse on the market to find the next big thing.

Position Summary:

The Technology Strategy & Partnerships Manager is responsible for developing partnerships with external innovations and formulating strategies to deliver innovative solutions through Samsung’s device ecosystem.

The Open Innovation team combines the best of Samsung product expertise with the latest advances in technology to create radically futuristic and innovative products, services and experiences to delight and improve the lifestyles of our customers.  We research, identify, partner and promote new technologies that make the consumer experience better, faster, seamless, more powerful, and multi-dimensional across different product categories.

In this role, you will work with a cross-functional team supporting different business units for Samsung’s consumer products (Mobile, TV, Appliances, Networks, and Samsung Research), developing business cases, fostering partnerships, and driving pivotal initiatives that lay the foundation for Samsung’s future.

 Position Responsibilities:

• Identify and research emerging technologies and evaluate the associated product and business opportunities that enable Samsung to deliver new and exciting value to consumers
• Acquire domain expertise by paying attention to market trends, advances in core technology, and university research across multiple industries that are relevant to Samsung’s Device eXperiences (DX) business to target partnership opportunities and identify new markets Samsung should enter
• Foster relationships with external technology startups, VCs, and universities to find breakthrough innovations and effectively communicate their value proposition to Samsung R&D teams and executives globally
• Be the primary liaison between partners and Samsung by leading the discussions, facilitating evaluations, and driving POCs with an eye towards partnership, commercialization, investment, and/or M&A.  Be the internal champion for partner’s strategic goals and vision and advocate their needs to stakeholders ensuring awareness and understanding through effective communication
• Coordinate cross-functional and cross-geo team activities, setting project milestones, and motivating teams to meet project timelines and deliverables
• Proactively address ambiguity through strategic thinking followed by tactical execution
• Form a clear understanding of team priorities to balance urgent vs. daily activities
• Proactively build concepts and define new consumer experiences through partners

Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in technology or engineering discipline required, (post-graduate (MS or MBA degree is strongly preferred),  or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• 5+ years of business development or product management experience in a technology company
• Deep industry domain experience in at least one core technology vertical, including but not limited to: Mobile, 5G, AI, IoT, Robotics, XR, Health/Fitness, TV, Digital Appliances, Computer Vision, etc.
• Effective interpersonal and relationship management skills
• Strong personal network within the industry, startup and ventures community
• Experience in leading complex, multi-team and cross-geographic projects to success
• Excellent written, verbal communications and presentation skills
• Ability to deal with ambiguity associated with working in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Must be willing to travel domestically and internationally (20%)

  Special Attributes:

• Positive attitude and energy, persistence, and flexibility
• Great communication skills: clear, patient, and well adapted to the audience and situation
• Analytical skills to formulate and present structured, objective recommendations and respond to challenges and objections
• Personal skills to plan, organize, and prioritize multiple assignments and delivery on tight schedules
• Ability to position and sell technology to executive audiences

Our total rewards programs are designed to motivate and engage exception