Lead Innovation

Schiphol; Schiphol; On-site; EUR 60.000 - 100.000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in aviation is seeking an Innovation Lead to tackle pressing challenges and drive transformative innovations. This role involves orchestrating innovation ecosystems, overseeing experimental designs, and initiating impactful projects that enhance airport operations. With a focus on sustainability and collaboration, you will work alongside talented professionals to redefine the future of air travel. If you are a bold innovator with a passion for making a difference, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant work experience in innovation or product management.
• Ability to lead and inspire teams in uncertain environments.

Responsibilities

• Drive transformative innovations in aviation technology.
• Manage and coach teams on innovation methodologies.

Skills

Entrepreneurial mentality

Effective communication

Innovation methodologies

Leadership

Project management

Education

Higher professional or academic level

Job description

Nice to know (you)

• We are the Royal Schiphol Group Innovation Hub - we have a mission to explore and shape the future of aviation, via so-called 'Moonshots' and 'Marsshots'.
• No matter what we do, we always take people, the global and local environment into consideration.
• We focus our innovation efforts on several themes and challenges (e.g., autonomous technology, future baggage, environmental health, and future terminal) and we need bold innovators to tackle them.

Connecting your world

We are the Royal Schiphol Group Innovation Hub. As pioneers of the aviation community, we accelerate innovation on the airport's most pressing issues. This is how you connect the Netherlands with the rest of the world. At Schiphol Group, we have confidence in your talents and the way you use them as Innovation Lead to achieve the following goals:

• Drive transformative & disruptive innovations (our ‘Moon & Mars shots’) within an Innovation Domain. Examples include robotics for baggage handling, leveraging droplet screens to capture air pollutants, autonomous buses for crew transportation, creating data-driven insights on air quality, timeslots for security, developing traffic orchestration systems (‘OTISS’), or reimagining aircraft ground movements through sustainable taxiing and autonomous baggage transportation.
• Initiate, build, and orchestrate innovation ecosystems (e.g., startups, industry and R&D partners, knowledge institutes) with a shared vision, mission, and impact goals.
• Oversee the design and execution of experiments in live or sandbox environments to de-risk the domain vision.
• Manage and coach project teams on (explorative) innovation methodologies to maximize impact.
• Arrange funding for innovation projects via internal or external mechanisms (e.g., grant proposals, pitches to internal boards).
• Collaborate: we cannot create systemic impact alone!

You've got this

Schiphol connects your world. With the best people, we make travel safe and responsible. You contribute with your unique talents, such as inspiring, encouraging, and leading others. You are the talent who strives to achieve challenging goals and success. For this position, you should have:

• A higher professional or academic working and thinking level.
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience (e.g., (Sr.) Product Manager, Product Owner, Innovation Manager, intrapreneur, or entrepreneur).
• An entrepreneurial mentality and approach.
• Skills to communicate effectively at all organizational levels.
• Comfort with dealing with uncertainty and failure.
• Guts, because without guts, no glory.

You get this

Schiphol connects your world. With the best people, we make travel safe and responsible. You contribute with your talents, such as inspiring, encouraging, and leading others. You are the talent who strives for challenging goals and success. For this position, you should have:

• A higher professional or academic working and thinking level.
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience (e.g., (Sr.) Product Manager, Product Owner, Innovation Manager, intrapreneur, or entrepreneur).
• An entrepreneurial mentality and approach.
• Skills to communicate effectively at all organizational levels.
• Comfort with dealing with uncertainty and failure.
• Guts, because without guts, no glory.

About The Team

Strategy & Airport Planning

Our goal is to create the most sustainable and best airports in the world. These development plans focus on public interest, sustainability, and preserving our hub function. Alongside 50 colleagues, we shape our spatial ambitions into a comprehensive master plan, designing the physical future of Royal Schiphol Group.

Choose your destination

What are your talents? What dreams do you have? What is your story? We are curious about you and invite you to apply. Please share your motivation and resume via the application button below.

• We would like to receive your application before 4 May 2025.
• An assessment will be part of the application process.
• For more information about applying at Schiphol Group: Job application process - Werken bij Schiphol Group.
• For the safety of our passengers and colleagues, an AIVD security screening (VGB B civil aviation) is always part of the recruitment process.

About Schiphol Group

With 3,000 colleagues, we go the extra mile to connect the Netherlands with the world. Innovation, safety, and cooperation are our priorities. We have been contributing to society and the economy for over 100 years. Did you know that:

• Schiphol Group owns and operates Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport, and Lelystad Airport. We also hold a majority stake in Eindhoven Airport.
• Schiphol Airport has been powered 100% by Dutch wind energy since 2018.
• As a Lead Innovation, you will join the Strategy & Airport Planning business area.