Innovation Manager

The Emirates Group; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an innovation leader to drive transformative projects using cutting-edge technologies. In this pivotal role, you will lead the development of innovative prototypes and manage a portfolio of projects that enhance customer experiences and operational efficiencies. Your expertise in agile methodologies and emerging technologies will be crucial in shaping the future of travel and hospitality. Join a dynamic team that fosters creativity and collaboration, where your contributions will significantly impact strategic initiatives and drive the organization forward. If you are passionate about innovation and technology, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of IT experience with a focus on innovation.
• Strong knowledge of emerging technologies and their business applications.

Responsibilities

• Drive innovation through R&D and manage proof of concepts.
• Conduct research on emerging technologies and develop new business models.

Skills

Innovation practices

Lean startup methodology

Design thinking methodologies

Next generation technologies (AI, Blockchain, AR/VR)

Agile delivery management

Business Process improvement

Relationship Management

Software Development methodology

Creative and innovative thinking

Education

Degree or Honours (12+3 or equivalent)

Job description

• Drive innovation through research and development activities leveraging emerging technologies to bring the newest innovations to the Emirates Group. Manage and successfully deliver proof of concepts and new business models in close collaboration with business, technology teams and partners. Communicate with internal stakeholders and external communities to create and drive a well-rounded innovation idea pipeline aligned with group strategic objectives. Lead the development of innovation prototypes across the innovation channels and coordinate on all cross-functional activities. As required, lead the design and delivery of POCs into scalable, enterprise-wide programmes. Lead the drive for a culture of innovation within the organisation, ensuring that innovative thinking and practices are embedded across all
  businesses and technology teams.
• Deliver an innovation portfolio of projects using agile principles within scope, time and costs. Initiate and manage projects and proof of concepts through all stages to ensure that their progress, quality and outputs in key result areas are consistent with the scope. Define and manage the annual innovation work
  programmes and budgets based on business needs and the ideas portfolio. Provides innovative responses to business needs, increasing speed, agility and faster turnaround.
• Conduct research on emerging technologies and technology platforms, explore new business models in travel and hospitality looking at megatrends for 1 to 3 years, develop and manage the upkeep of Innovation Technology Radar, identify next-generation tools, frameworks, and platforms, research
  relevant cross-industry innovations and document pertinent whitepapers. Design, research, develop, analyse and suggest new innovation ideas leveraging cutting-edge technologies.
• Create an innovation-at-scale model by consolidating all the innovation initiatives as part of the Emirates Group innovation. Spread innovation efforts evenly across EK business units and across business benefits of enhanced customer experience, positive revenue impact and operational efficiencies. Ensure life cycle governance by integrating the incubation lifecycle of ideation to production based on a clear `transition? from an `innovation? portfolio to a `delivery? portfolio. Create and maintain the Emirates Group Innovation at scale operating model, framework and lifecycle.
• Work on defining and detailing problem statements, ideas and pain points to ensure they meet the key criteria for idea onboarding. Using design thinking methodology, conduct ideation sessions to generate the most practical or innovative ones to inspire new and better design solutions and products. Work with the Manager IT Innovation to ensure that all the ideas have business context and business sponsorship for a more streamlined process from business idea to production.
• Define and establish key performance indicators (KPIs) within your department to measure and drive performance and accountability, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
• Conduct technology hackathons to work on niche business problems or to develop new business ideas. Engage with strategic partners across key locations to bring talented developers and designers together to build new and innovative travel-centric applications. Identify new technology, business ideas, business drivers and context, frame lessons, and lead the team towards results.
• Organise and support key innovation events to get cross-industry thought leaders to discuss strategic themes specific to the Emirates Group. Conduct roadshows for developed prototypes and showcase new technologies to business and technology teams to generate interest and create a new pipeline of
  innovation ideas.
• Engage with business heads, business partners, and the community of internal developers to create, own and manage technology innovation and inspire Emirates Group employees to participate in the introduction of leading-edge technologies. Manage dedicated and diverse virtual communities and take responsibility for delivering solutions during the innovation phase of technology adoption.
  Develop and engage with the innovation channels of start-ups, strategic partners, universities or incubators for sourcing and delivering new ideas and technology. Work closely with the partnership team to define the go-to-market strategy for innovation partners.
• Work closely with Emirates Group IT functions and chapters on adopting technology and innovation initiatives and spread knowledge on next-generation technology, ensuring the Emirates Group remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

Leadership role: Yes

","qualifications":"

In this role, you will:

• Drive innovation through research and development activities leveraging emerging technologies to bring the newest innovations to the Emirates Group. Manage and successfully deliver proof of concepts and new business models in close collaboration with business, technology teams and partners. Communicate with internal stakeholders and external communities to create and drive a well-rounded innovation idea pipeline aligned with group strategic objectives. Lead the development of innovation prototypes across the innovation channels and coordinate on all cross-functional activities. As required, lead the design and delivery of POCs into scalable, enterprise-wide programmes. Lead the drive for a culture of innovation within the organisation, ensuring that innovative thinking and practices are embedded across all
  businesses and technology teams.
• Deliver an innovation portfolio of projects using agile principles within scope, time and costs. Initiate and manage projects and proof of concepts through all stages to ensure that their progress, quality and outputs in key result areas are consistent with the scope. Define and manage the annual innovation work
  programmes and budgets based on business needs and the ideas portfolio. Provides innovative responses to business needs, increasing speed, agility and faster turnaround.
• Conduct research on emerging technologies and technology platforms, explore new business models in travel and hospitality looking at megatrends for 1 to 3 years, develop and manage the upkeep of Innovation Technology Radar, identify next-generation tools, frameworks, and platforms, research
  relevant cross-industry innovations and document pertinent whitepapers. Design, research, develop, analyse and suggest new innovation ideas leveraging cutting-edge technologies.
• Create an innovation-at-scale model by consolidating all the innovation initiatives as part of the Emirates Group innovation. Spread innovation efforts evenly across EK business units and across business benefits of enhanced customer experience, positive revenue impact and operational efficiencies. Ensure life cycle governance by integrating the incubation lifecycle of ideation to production based on a clear `transition? from an `innovation? portfolio to a `delivery? portfolio. Create and maintain the Emirates Group Innovation at scale operating model, framework and lifecycle.
• Work on defining and detailing problem statements, ideas and pain points to ensure they meet the key criteria for idea onboarding. Using design thinking methodology, conduct ideation sessions to generate the most practical or innovative ones to inspire new and better design solutions and products. Work with the Manager IT Innovation to ensure that all the ideas have business context and business sponsorship for a more streamlined process from business idea to production.
• Define and establish key performance indicators (KPIs) within your department to measure and drive performance and accountability, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
• Conduct technology hackathons to work on niche business problems or to develop new business ideas. Engage with strategic partners across key locations to bring talented developers and designers together to build new and innovative travel-centric applications. Identify new technology, business ideas, business drivers and context, frame lessons, and lead the team towards results.
• Organise and support key innovation events to get cross-industry thought leaders to discuss strategic themes specific to the Emirates Group. Conduct roadshows for developed prototypes and showcase new technologies to business and technology teams to generate interest and create a new pipeline of
  innovation ideas.
• Engage with business heads, business partners, and the community of internal developers to create, own and manage technology innovation and inspire Emirates Group employees to participate in the introduction of leading-edge technologies. Manage dedicated and diverse virtual communities and take responsibility for delivering solutions during the innovation phase of technology adoption.
  Develop and engage with the innovation channels of start-ups, strategic partners, universities or incubators for sourcing and delivering new ideas and technology. Work closely with the partnership team to define the go-to-market strategy for innovation partners.
• Work closely with Emirates Group IT functions and chapters on adopting technology and innovation initiatives and spread knowledge on next-generation technology, ensuring the Emirates Group remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

Leadership role: Yes

","qualifications":"

To be considered for the role, you must meet the below requirements:

Qualifications:

• Degree or Honours (12+3 or equivalent)
• 8+ years Information Technology experience

Knowledge/skills :

• Extensive knowledge of Innovation practices, lean startup methodology, design thinking methodologies
• Understanding of next generation technologies e.g. AI, Blockchain, AR/VR, Edge computing, Quantum and their usage in business context
• Relationship Management and presentation of ideas and business benefits
• Software Development methodology and design
• Agile delivery management
• Business Process improvement
• Strong ability to understand and communicate potential and pitfalls of new technologies
• Be creative and innovative with the ability to see alternatives and solutions `thinking outside the box'. R esearching on key technology and business trends

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