Innovation Lab Lead

Bancontact Company; Brussel Hoofdstad; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Salary package aligned with competenc.

Job summary

Bancontact Company is the leading provider of debit card payment experiences in Belgium, driving a digital payments evolution. The Innovation Lab Manager reports to the COO and will coordinate the Lab setup, manage cohorts, and qualify initiatives for inclusion in Bancontact’s Product Roadmap.

The role requires 5+ years in digital innovation, strong coordination and coaching skills, and fluency in Dutch and/or French and English. The lab operates in a hybrid model with Belgium-based teams.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent by experience.
• 5+ years of experience in digital innovation, preferably in the payment industry.
• Experience with setting up new activities and coordinating multi-stakeholder processes.
• Experience with new technologies or innovative business models.
• Experience with sandboxing, low-code and wireframing tools is a plus.
• Coordination skills – managing multiple cohorts and initiatives at different stages.
• Opportunity recognition – identifying long-term market trends and shaping value propositions.
• Coaching skills – guiding transversal teams through the innovation process.
• Hands-on attitude – able to contribute content when needed.
• Networking skills – connecting teams with external experts.
• Synthesis skills – condensing details for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Fluency in Dutch and/or French (preferably both) and English.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the Lab setup and its activities, manage intake waves and qualification of initiatives.
• Represent the Lab with partners and outside Bancontact Company.
• Set up operational processes, governance and budgeting for the Lab.
• Define tooling requirements and propose funding for Lab activities.
• Coordinate with Architecture, Technology and Security functions at relevant stages.
• Lead cohort-based qualification and funnel progression.
• Support the Executive Committee in Innovation Board decisions.
• Identify external partners to execute PoCs and collaboration opportunities.
• Facilitate transition of qualified initiatives into Product Roadmap governance.

Skills

Digital innovation experience

Project coordination

Multi-stakeholder coordination

Business modeling

Coaching and mentoring

Communication skills

Networking with external partners

Discipline and gatekeeping

Dutch and/or French and English flu

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent by experience

Tools

Sandboxing

Low-code tools

Wireframing tools

Job description

Bancontact Company is the leading provider of debit card payment experiences in Belgium, driving a digital payments evolution. The Innovation Lab Manager reports to the COO and will coordinate the Lab setup, manage cohorts, and qualify initiatives for inclusion in Bancontact’s Product Roadmap.

The role requires 5+ years in digital innovation, strong coordination and coaching skills, and fluency in Dutch and/or French and English. The lab operates in a hybrid model with Belgium-based teams.