Manager, Innovation/ R&D

Sime Darby Property Berhad; Petaling Jaya; On-site; MYR 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in property development is seeking an experienced professional to manage innovation and R&D initiatives. The role involves project management, data analysis, and stakeholder coordination to enhance customer experiences and drive business growth. Candidates should possess a relevant degree and have a strong passion for property development.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4-5 years of relevant experience in property development or related fields.
• Strong empathy skills and ability to collaborate with stakeholders.
• Knowledge or interest in Design Thinking and Lean Methodology.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of customer insights and innovation initiatives.
• Identify new market trends and conduct customer research.
• Monitor and manage budgets for innovation projects.

Skills

Problem-solving

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, Psychology

Tools

Excel

Analytical tools

Job description

To execute and manage new initiatives related to innovation/ R&D for development services for Township Projects and Sime Darby Property, reporting directly to the Head of Quality and Innovation.

You will be the evangelist and voice for the customer, working together with internal and external stakeholders in designing and curating delightful and future-forward innovative experiences to add value in our property development.

You will also lead the design, facilitation, and brainstorming sessions across different stakeholder groups (where necessary and required) to empower creative design and conversation to deliver new innovative experiences related to the property industry.

The role includes the overall planning and implementation of innovation / R&D initiatives in development services; data analysis to derive insights to deliver new customer experiences; stakeholder management; and partnership and business development (where relevant).

Job Responsibilities

Project Management

Lead the planning and execution of customer insights & Innovation / R&D initiatives that will drive new business value creation and growth to the company within Sime Darby Property.

Conceptualize ideas and bring them to life through impeccable execution.

Quantify and track ROIs on Innovation / R&D initiatives.

Possess good communication, presentation, and written skills.

Manage the platform or build including execution and implementation of new projects and/or initiatives.

Market Opportunities, Data Analytics, & Innovation Opportunity Development

Identify new market trends & opportunities, review competitor activities, and changes in consumer needs/wants.

Conduct customer and desktop research to support case studies and findings for customer insights to formulate customer insights & innovation / R&D initiatives.

Pay attention to detail and have the ability to conduct data analytics using Excel and/or analytical tools or software.

Ensure customer insights & innovation initiatives developed are aligned with the targeted market segment, are customer and market-driven, innovative, and differentiated.

Analyze existing data, map against market trends and opportunities, and provide solutions to enhance customer experience.

Budget Management

Monitor and manage the allocated budget for projects under customer insights and innovation / R&D.

Facilitation & Stakeholder Coordination

Design, facilitate, and conduct brainstorming sessions across different stakeholder groups to empower creative design and conversation to deliver new innovative experiences related to the property industry.

Coordinate and manage various internal and external partners to ensure the success of customer insights and innovation projects.

Partnership & Business Development

Engage in business development to bring in corporates, educational institutions, partners, suppliers, and social enterprises for strategic partnerships to execute new customer insights and innovation / R&D initiatives.

Education/Professional Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, Psychology, or relevant discipline.

Other fields considered based on interest in customer experience and design thinking.

Additional Skills & Attributes

Passion for problem-solving, strong empathy skills, and the ability to connect and collaborate with various stakeholders.

Independent, capable of executing projects with minimal supervision and resources.

Knowledge or interest in Design Thinking, Business Model Canvas, Lean Methodology.

Strong leadership and problem-solving skills.

Minimum 4-5 years of relevant experience, preferably with a good understanding or passion for property development, commercial & retail development, or real estate management from a customer perspective.