Senior Innovation Manager

Abdul Latif Jameel Enterprises; Jeddah, Makkah Al Mukarramah; On-site; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a dynamic Senior Manager of Innovation to foster a culture of creativity and experimentation. In this pivotal role, you will lead initiatives that drive meaningful change and introduce cutting-edge technologies across the organization. You will champion innovation frameworks, build partnerships with startups and academic institutions, and organize engaging programs that inspire collaboration. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of the company while working in a fast-paced environment that values your contributions. If you are passionate about innovation and eager to make an impact, this role is for you.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in corporate innovation or digital strategy.
• Strong understanding of innovation methodologies like design thinking.
• Proven success in managing innovation projects from concept to execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal innovation initiatives and develop external partnerships.
• Organize hackathons and innovation-related programs to drive engagement.
• Track and report innovation KPIs to senior leadership.

Skills

Corporate Innovation

Digital Strategy

Project Management

Innovation Methodologies

Interpersonal Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Stakeholder Engagement

Emerging Technologies

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Technology, Innovation

Job description

We are seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Senior Manager, Innovation to lead and embed a culture of innovation across ALJ Enterprises. This role will be responsible for driving internal innovation initiatives, developing external partnerships, and introducing cutting-edge technologies and ideas that create tangible value across our businesses.

You will build and manage platforms for idea generation and rewards, organize hackathons and thought-leadership events, and serve as a key driver of innovation frameworks that accelerate business impact. The role requires strong cross-functional leadership, project delivery, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

This is a high-impact role for an experienced professional with a strong background in corporate innovation and a passion for emerging technologies and experimentation.

• Champion a culture of innovation across the organization, encouraging creativity, experimentation, and collaboration.
• Design and manage an internal innovation platform for idea collection, evaluation, and recognition, in partnership with HR.
• Identify and introduce high-potential technologies and business model innovations aligned with strategic priorities.
• Build partnerships with start-ups, accelerators, universities, and industry groups to pilot new ideas and technologies.
• Organize and deliver innovation-related programs such as hackathons, demo days, innovation sprints, and internal showcases.
• Host technology presentations, workshops, and speaker sessions to expose associates to emerging trends.
• Work with business units and functions to identify innovation opportunities, define use cases, and implement prototypes or pilots.
• Ensure innovation initiatives comply with internal policies and risk frameworks.
• Track, report, and communicate innovation KPIs, success metrics, and lessons learned to senior leadership.

Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Technology, Innovation, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in corporate innovation, digital strategy, or technology transformation.
• Proven success in managing and delivering innovation projects from concept to execution.
• Strong understanding of innovation methodologies (e.g., design thinking, lean startup, open innovation).
• Familiarity with emerging technologies, digital platforms, and start-up ecosystems.
• Excellent project management and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience working in cross-functional teams in complex, fast-paced environments.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in Arabic is an advantage.

Why Join Us

At ALJ Enterprises, innovation is at the heart of our transformation journey. You will have the opportunity to shape the future of our organization by driving meaningful change, launching breakthrough ideas, and building strong ecosystems internally and externally.