Lead Innovation Consultant - Remote

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first culture

Technology stipend

Flexible working hours

Career development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Innovation Consultant in a remote-first role across South Africa. You will guide clients through the innovation lifecycle, drive culture shifts, and mentor junior team members while collaborating with executive stakeholders.

You will design strategies, lead ideation and prototyping, assess emerging technologies, and ensure measurable outcomes while supporting remote teams and promoting continuous professional development.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required in a relevant field and 7+ years of experience in innovation management, product development, technology consulting, or strategic foresight.
• Proven track record leading innovation initiatives and bringing new products/services to market.
• Deep understanding of innovation frameworks, design thinking, agile methodologies, and digital technologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement innovation strategies and roadmaps for clients across industries.
• Lead ideation workshops, design thinking sessions, and rapid prototyping initiatives.
• Advise clients on adopting new technologies, digital transformation, and agile practices.
• Manage innovation projects and ensure alignment with business objectives and measurable outcomes.
• Identify and assess emerging trends, market opportunities, and disruptive technologies.
• Mentor and guide a team of innovation specialists and consultants.
• Build and maintain relationships with client innovation leaders and executives.
• Contribute to the firm's thought leadership in innovation management and digital strategy.

Skills

Facilitation

Communication

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Remote team management

Innovation mindset

Education

Master's degree in Business Innovation / Technology Management / Engineering

Tools

Design thinking

Agile methodologies

Digital transformation

Job description

About the Role Join our client, a premier management consultancy renowned for its innovative approach, as a Lead Innovation Consultant. This is a **remote-first** position, allowing you to work from anywhere within **South Africa**. You will be at the forefront of helping clients foster a culture of innovation, develop new products and services, and adopt cutting-edge technologies. Based loosely around **Benoni, Gauteng**, your role will involve guiding clients through the innovation lifecycle, from ideation and prototyping to market launch and scaling. As a Lead Consultant, you will mentor junior team members and collaborate with diverse client stakeholders to drive transformative change. This role is perfect for a visionary leader passionate about innovation and experienced in leveraging technology to create new business opportunities. We are committed to a **remote-first** culture, providing the necessary support and infrastructure for you to excel from your chosen location.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement innovation strategies and roadmaps for clients across various industries.
• Lead ideation workshops, design thinking sessions, and rapid prototyping initiatives.
• Advise clients on adopting new technologies, digital transformation, and agile methodologies.
• Manage innovation projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Identify and assess emerging trends, market opportunities, and disruptive technologies.
• Mentor and guide a team of innovation specialists and consultants.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with client innovation leaders and executive teams.
• Contribute to the firm's thought leadership in innovation management and digital strategy.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Business Innovation, Technology Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in innovation management, product development, technology consulting, or strategic foresight.
• Proven track record of successfully leading innovation initiatives and bringing new products/services to market.
• Deep understanding of innovation frameworks, design thinking, agile methodologies, and digital technologies.
• Exceptional facilitation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Experience in managing remote teams and distributed projects is highly desirable.
• Ability to inspire and influence clients and internal teams towards embracing innovation.
• Must be eligible to work in **South Africa**.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, a significant performance bonus, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and retirement plans. We support a truly **remote-first** working environment, providing a technology stipend and flexible working hours. Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development, including advanced training and exposure to global best practices in innovation, are available. You will have the autonomy to shape your work and contribute to groundbreaking projects from anywhere in **South Africa**. This role offers the chance to be at the cutting edge of business transformation and innovation, with significant career growth potential.