Group Vice President Innovation

OPmobility SE; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

OPmobility SE in the United States seeks a high-impact Group Vice President of Innovation to steer Advanced Innovation, Open Innovation and New Business Labs globally. You will shape the technology roadmap, identify growth opportunities and lead cross-regional partnerships with startups, universities and venture networks.

You will drive governance, portfolio mgmt and KPIs while aligning with corporate strategy.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Technology, Innovation Management, Business Administration or equivalent.
• Advanced degree (MBA, Executive MBA, MSc, PhD) highly valued.
• Strong understanding of emerging technologies, industrial systems and business strategy.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in Innovation, R&D, Technology Strategy, Product Development or Business Development.
• Proven experience leading innovation portfolios within an international industrial environment.

Responsibilities

• Define and continuously update the Group Innovation Strategy.
• Develop, maintain and release the Product Technology Roadmap.
• Identify strategic technology domains and future growth opportunities.
• Translate market, societal and technology trends into innovation priorities.
• Lead the New Business Labs framework across regions.
• Explore opportunities beyond traditional automotive markets.
• Structure and manage innovation opportunity portfolios.
• Support creation of new business models and adjacent growth opportunities.
• Build partnerships with startups, universities, research centers, venture capital firms and innovation networks.
• Lead technology scouting activities.
• Develop collaborative innovation programs and proof-of-concept initiatives.
• Maximize value from strategic memberships and innovation ecosystems.
• Organize internal and external innovation events to create visibility of groups innovation activities.
• Govern the Innovation Pipeline.
• Manage project gate reviews and investment decisions.
• Monitor innovation KPIs and portfolio performance.
• Ensure proper resource allocation and prioritization.
• Prepare and facilitate Innovation Board reviews.
• Coordinate innovation activities with Business Groups and corporate functions.
• Ensure alignment between innovation programs and Group strategic plan.
• Provide executive reporting to CODIR and Group leadership.
• Lead Advanced Innovation, Open Innovation and New Business Labs teams.
• Develop innovation competencies across the organization.
• Foster an entrepreneurial and experimentation mindset.
• Build a strong global innovation community.

Skills

Innovation Management

Open Innovation

Technology Scouting

Venture & Startup Ecosystem

Portfolio Management

Product Technology Roadmapping

Business Model Innovation

Strategic Planning

Design Thinking

Emerging Technologies Assessment

Education

Master's degree or higher in relevant field

Advanced degree (MBA/EMBA/MSc/PhD) valued

Job description

• Job Title: Group Vice President Innovation

Ready to take on meaningful challenges and shape the next generation of mobility?

Joining OPmobility means stepping into a global group with a purpose to keep people and goods moving safely, smarter, and sustainably everywhere.

Position Details

• Job Title: Group Vice President Innovation
• Location: United States
• Scope: Global

MISSION

Lead OPmobility's Advanced Innovation strategy and New Business Labs ecosystem to identify, validate and accelerate new growth opportunities, emerging technologies and disruptive business models supporting the Group's long-term strategic ambitions. Drive innovation governance, technology road mapping, open innovation initiatives and innovation portfolio management, while ensuring strong alignment with Business Groups and corporate strategy.

Responsibilities & Activities

Innovation Strategy

• Define and continuously update the Group Innovation Strategy.
• Develop, maintain and release the Product Technology Roadmap.
• Identify strategic technology domains and future growth opportunities.
• Translate market, societal and technology trends into innovation priorities.

New Business Development

• Lead the New Business Labs framework across regions.
• Explore opportunities beyond traditional automotive markets.
• Structure and manage innovation opportunity portfolios.
• Support creation of new business models and adjacent growth opportunities.

Open Innovation & Ecosystem Management

• Build partnerships with startups, universities, research centers, venture capital firms and innovation networks.
• Lead technology scouting activities.
• Develop collaborative innovation programs and proof-of-concept initiatives.
• Maximize value from strategic memberships and innovation ecosystems.
• Organize internal and external innovation events to create visibility of groups innovation activities.

Innovation Portfolio Management

• Govern the Innovation Pipeline.
• Manage project gate reviews and investment decisions.
• Monitor innovation KPIs and portfolio performance.Ensure proper resource allocation and prioritization.

Governance & Stakeholder Management

• Prepare and facilitate Innovation Board reviews.
• Coordinate innovation activities with Business Groups and corporate functions.
• Ensure alignment between innovation programs and Group strategic plan.
• Provide executive reporting to CODIR and Group leadership.

Team Leadership

• Lead Advanced Innovation, Open Innovation and New Business Labs teams.
• Develop innovation competencies across the organization.
• Foster an entrepreneurial and experimentation mindset.
• Build a strong global innovation community.

Profile Requirements

Personal Background

• Master's degree in Engineering, Technology, Innovation Management, Business Administration or equivalent.
• Advanced degree (MBA, Executive MBA, MSc, PhD) highly valued.
• Strong understanding of emerging technologies, industrial systems and business strategy
• 15+ years of progressive experience in Innovation, R&D, Technology Strategy, Product Development or Business Development.
• Proven experience leading innovation portfolios within an international industrial environment

Job Technical Skills

• Innovation Management
• Open Innovation
• Technology Scouting
• Venture & Startup Ecosystem
• Portfolio Management
• Product Technology Roadmapping
• Business Model Innovation
• Strategic Planning
• Design Thinking
• Emerging Technologies Assessment

Job Soft Skills

• Strategic Vision
• Influence and Stakeholder Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Systems Thinking
• Complexity Management
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Change Leadership
• Executive Communication

At OPmobility, people truly matter. We are committed to building inclusive teams, promoting diversity and equality, and ensuring that every application is considered fairly - because the future of mobility is built by diverse perspectives, bold ideas, and people who dare to move forward.

Innovation is therefore not a buzzword, but a natural part of everyday work. You’ll grow in an international environment where cutting-edge technologies, industrial excellence, and real-world impact come together to tackle the challenges of tomorrow’s automotive industry.

Founded in 1946 by Pierre Burelle, OPmobility, known until 2024 as Plastic Omnium, has transformed itself into a player in sustainable and connected mobility. Today, OPmobility develops technological solutions across four areas of expertise: exterior and lighting systems, the integration of complex modules, technologies related to energy storage, hydrogen and electrification, and a division dedicated to the development of embedded software and digital solutions.

With €11.5 billion in revenue in 2025, 152 factories, 40 R&D centers, and nearly 38,100 employees across 28 countries, OPmobility combines global scale with local impact. All driven by a shared ambition to accelerate the automotive energy transition.