Innovation Program Manager

Our client is an organization that drives innovation for an $18 billion food hospitality organization. They are focused on delivering the best experiences possible for their customers and consumers.

DIGITAL VENTURES :

Their vision is to invest in the right startups that drive innovation within the company

How do they do that?

They run pilots with startups to test their product / services within the ecosystem and to validate the product feasibility, viability, team strength and the strategic fit within the business verticals

OBJECTIVES

• Run and manage the pilot portfolio to support the due diligence for the investment team
• Determine strategic pilot opportunities within the business ecosystem

REQUIRED SKILLS / BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

Program management experience

Program management, Business design, strategy and operations, consulting background

Experience working with startups and understand the startup ecosystem

Working closely with the project management team and SMEs (product, data, design, development, strategy, marketing)

Have experience testing prototypes, early stage ideas or running Proof of concepts or pilots.

Are capable of navigating corporate environments and working with the business operations teams

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Run pilots and manage pilot portfolio
• Manage the portfolio of 4-5 pilots at a time and create a pilot roadmap
• Clearly define pilot scope and pilot brief (success metrics) working with the investment team and the startup partner
• Define the pilot milestones and targets working with the startup partners, project managers and the business
• Work with the investment team and the pilot advisory team (SMEs - data, design, product, strategy based on the pilot) to determine the due diligence questions for the pilot
• Build strong relationships with the startup partners to manage the pilot day to day and ensure success, working closely with the project managers
• Work closely with the project managers to make sure pilot is running smoothly in the right direction
• Ensure regular communication to the investment and the pilot advisory team
• Manage timelines and ensure the teams hit the timelines
• Manage pilot costs and budget for the pilot portfolio
• Document and share the pilot learnings and analysis with the investment team
• Work closely with the business to determine strategic opportunities, challenges and needs prior to and throughout the pilot.
• Determine strategic pilot opportunities within the business ecosystem
• Build relationships and work closely with the strategy team and the business to understand the pilot opportunities
• Map strategic use cases for pilot opportunities in the pipeline
• Identify the most impactful pilot opportunity and conduct proper analysis of the pilot location prior to the pilot
• Work closely with the BA to map the current state as pilot opportunities arise in certain areas of the business - to define the pilot scope
• Work closely with the investment team to understand the opportunities in the pipeline
9 days ago