Job Description

Drive innovation through leveraging emerging technologies to bring the newest innovations to Emirates group business and their partners on the Intelak Start-up Hub Program. Manage and successfully deliver proof of concepts and new business models ideas in close collaboration with business, technology team and partners. Communicate with internal stakeholders and external communities to create a well rounded innovation idea pipeline which is aligned to group strategic objectives. Lead the development of innovation prototypes across the innovation channels and coordinate on all cross-functional activities required for taking an idea to portfolio. Create and maintain measurable KPIs to ensure a rounded ecosystem is maintained comprising of global and local start-ups, strategic partners, incubators and accelerators.

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Manage the Intelak start-up hub Incubator, Accelerator and Idea Lab programs, overseeing sourcing, filtering, selection, and graduation of the start-ups. The Incubation Manager will be responsible for programs structure, mentors ecosystem, partners ecosystem and start-up ecosystem development and engagement. The Incubation Manager will also drive all external and internal engagements & events, manage the Intelak Budget, Partner relations and the on-boarding of start-ups. The Incubation Manager will also scale current efforts to land start-ups in Dubai and scale them through the local ecosystem.
• Deliver Innovation portfolio of projects using agile principles within scope, time and costs. Initiate and manage projects and proof of concept through all stages to ensure that their progress, quality and the outputs in key result areas are consistent with the scope. Define and manage the annual Intelak innovation work programme and budgets based on needs and the ideas portfolio. Provides innovative response to business needs by increasing speed, agility and faster turnaround.
• Conduct research on emerging technologies, technology platform explore new Business models in travel, aviation, tourism and hospitality looking at mega trends for 1 to 3 years, develop and manage upkeep of Innovation Technology Radar , identify next generation tools, frameworks, platforms , research relevant cross industry innovations and document pertinent whitepapers. Design, research, develop, analyse and suggest new innovation ideas leveraging cutting edge technologies such as, but not limited to, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum computing, next generation architecture etc.
• Spread Innovation efforts evenly across EK Group & Partners business units and across business benefits of enhanced Customer experience, positive revenue impact and operational efficiencies. Ensure life cycle governance by integrating the incubation lifecycle of ideation to production based on clear ‘transition’ from ‘innovation’ portfolio to ‘delivery’ portfolio.
• Work on defining and detailing problems statements, ideas and pain points and ensure that it is meeting the key criteria for idea on-boarding. Using design thinking methodology conduct ideation sessions to generate most practical or most innovative ones in order to inspire new and better design solutions and products. Work with the Manager IT Innovation for ensuring that all the ideas have business context and business sponsorship for more streamlined process from business idea to production.
• Create an innovation score card for each of the idea and a details Idea on Page (IoaP) detailing the idea, strategic drivers, technology driver and other key attributes for this to be presented to the Innovation board for idea selection. Create closure reports and present it to the Innovation board to share the results and learning and enable them to take a decision on transitioning the project to portfolio.
• Organise key innovation events to get cross Industry thought leaders to discuss strategic themes specific to Emirates group & Partners on Intelak Start-up Hub. Conduct Roadshows for developed prototypes, and showcase new technologies to generate interest and to create new pipeline of innovation ideas.
• Engage with Business heads, Business partners, community of internal & external developers, start-up community and communicate with them, provide a create, own and manage technology “incubators” & accelerators and inspire IT and Group employees to participate in the introduction and incubation of leading-edge technologies manage dedicated and diverse virtual communities and take responsibility for delivery of solutions during the incubation phase of technology adoption.
• Develop and engage with the Innovation Channels of Start-ups, strategic partners, Universities and incubators for sourcing new ideas, technology and getting ideas delivered. Work closely with partnership team to define the Go to market strategy for innovation partners.
• Work closely with Portfolio, Architecture, Cyber Security and Software engineering on adoption of technology and innovation initiatives and disseminate knowledge on next generation technology ensuring Emirates Group remains at the forefront of technological innovation. Work with the technology business partner and portfolio team for transition of successful innovations into the portfolio and provide technical consulting to the agile team during the project formation stage.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Business or science or similar
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in the same field
• Extensive experience in launching & scaling incubator and/or accelerator programs globally. Having worked in similar programs that have achieved excellence and growth is a must.
• Senior stakeholder management skills and public speaking are a must.
• Extensive knowledge of Innovation practices, learn start-up methodology, design thinking methodologies.
• Understanding of next generation technologies e.g. AI, Blockchain, AR/VR, Edge computing, Quantum and their usage in business context.
• Relationship Management and presentation of ideas and business benefits.
• Software Development methodology and design
• Agile delivery management
• Business Process improvement.
• Strong ability to understand and communicate potential and pitfalls of new technologies
• Be creative and innovative with the ability to see alternatives and solutions ‘thinking outside the box’
• Researching on key technology and business trends.

Salary & Benefits

Join us in a management role and enjoy an attractive tax-free salary. On top of our generous travel benefits, including discounted flights and hotel stays around the world, this managerial role also has an excellent leave and healthcare package. That’s on top of transport benefits, life insurance and more. Find out what it’s like to live and work in our fast-paced, cosmopolitan home city in the Dubai Lifestyle section of our website www.emirates.com/careers

Skills Required

• Communication