R&D Innovation Section Head

Saudi Air Navigation Services; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a dynamic leader to drive innovation and governance within the ATM sector. This role involves creating strategic roadmaps, managing stakeholder engagement, and fostering a culture of creativity. Ideal candidates will possess a strong background in high-regulation industries, with a proven track record of implementing successful innovation initiatives. Join a forward-thinking company that values creativity and strategic oversight, and help shape the future of air navigation services in a collaborative and impactful environment.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in leading innovation initiatives in regulated industries.
• Expertise in governance, stakeholder management, and team leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop innovative initiatives focusing on governance and strategy.
• Monitor KPIs for innovation projects and ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

Governance Frameworks

Stakeholder Management

Innovation Strategy

Process Development

Team Leadership

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's in Innovation Management

Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor's in Business Administration

Job description

Job Description

Role Purpose

To lead and develop innovative initiatives, focusing on governance, strategy, and the ATM sector. The ideal candidate will have expertise and a proven track record in driving innovation, implementing policies and procedures aligned with the organization's innovation agenda within set KPIs, budgets, and policies.

Responsibilities

Key Accountability Areas

Key Activities

Governance and Strategic Oversight

• Create and communicate a long-term roadmap for innovative initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Develop and enforce governance frameworks to ensure innovation activities align with strategic objectives.
• Regularly update policies and procedures to adapt to industry changes and organizational priorities.
• Monitor and report on KPIs for innovation projects, ensuring they contribute to success.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with innovation projects, ensuring compliance with regulations and standards.

Innovation Platform and Process Management

• Design, implement, and maintain platforms for managing ideas across their lifecycle.
• Facilitate reviews and updates of innovation processes to improve efficiency and transparency.
• Ensure platforms and tools are secure, accessible, and integrated with organizational systems.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Act as a liaison between leadership and the innovation team to ensure goal alignment.
• Build relationships with external stakeholders to support collaborative innovation.
• Collaborate with the Partnerships and External Relations Lead to secure funding.
• Facilitate workshops and briefings to communicate innovation outcomes.

Fostering an Innovation Culture

• Lead initiatives to promote creativity and innovation, such as hackathons and brainstorming sessions.
• Recognize and reward contributions to sustain engagement.
• Provide mentorship and training to enhance creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Monitoring and Evaluating Innovation Outcomes

• Track the impact of innovation initiatives on operational performance.
• Conduct reviews to evaluate success and identify improvement areas.
• Report outcomes to senior leadership, highlighting achievements and future opportunities.

Policies, Processes and Procedures

• Ensure compliance with policies and procedures in daily activities.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, considering best practices, environment changes, and efficiency gains.

People Management

• Participate in training, mentoring, and coaching of team members.
• Provide clear direction, prioritize tasks, delegate responsibilities, and monitor workflows.
• Promote a high-performance environment aligned with organizational values.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum 6 years of experience leading innovation and creativity initiatives in high-regulation industries such as aviation or technology, with experience in governance, stakeholder management, communication, team leadership, and process development.

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Innovation Management, Aerospace Engineering, Business Administration, or related fields.
• Additional certifications in innovation processes, design thinking, or technology management are preferred.