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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead external innovation initiatives and partnerships with startups and research institutions.
- Company: Join HCL Software, a leader in tech innovation across Europe.
- Benefits: Enjoy opportunities for collaboration, networking, and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of emerging technologies and drive impactful solutions.
- Qualifications: Master’s degree required; 8+ years in open innovation or strategic partnerships.
- Other info: Represent HCL at industry events and contribute to thought leadership.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.
Role Overview
The Senior Leader – Open Innovation and Strategic Alliances will play a critical role in driving external innovation initiatives through partnerships with startups, research institutions, and ecosystem collaborators across the UK and Europe. The position requires a blend of strategic vision and operational execution to identify emerging technologies, foster collaborations, and deliver innovative solutions that align with HCL Software’s global business goals. This role will also focus on integrating cutting-edge research and innovations into the company’s product and service portfolios.
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Key Responsibilities
1. Drive Open Innovation Programs
Establish strong relationships with startups, accelerators, venture capital firms, and innovation hubs across the UK and Europe.
Design and execute open innovation initiatives such as hackathons, co-creation programs, and proof-of-concept collaborations with startups.
Act as a liaison between internal product teams and external innovation ecosystems to identify and integrate transformative technologies.
2. Develop Strategic Partnerships
Build partnerships with technology providers, hyperscalers, and industry leaders to enhance HCL Software’s capabilities in AI, IoT, cloud computing, and other emerging domains.
Negotiate and manage long-term strategic alliances that create value for both HCL and its partners.
Collaborate with external stakeholders to identify mutual growth opportunities and co-develop innovative solutions.
3. Collaborate on R&D Initiatives
Partner with top-tier universities and research institutions in the UK and Europe to explore new technologies and solutions.
Manage joint research and development projects focused on cutting-edge areas such as autonomous systems, edge computing, and privacy-preserving technologies.
Ensure research outcomes are transitioned into scalable product features or operational improvements.
4. Support Technology Scouting and Investments
Identify high-potential startups and niche technology providers for strategic collaboration or investment.
Conduct thorough evaluations of emerging technologies and their potential impact onHCL Software’s offerings.
Provide insights and recommendations to corporate development teams regarding technology investments or acquisitions.
5. Enable Internal Innovation
Work closely with product and engineering teams to prioritize the integration of externally sourced technologies.
Provide insights into regional technology trends and customer needs to guide product development strategies.
Align internal innovation efforts with global market opportunities and emerging regulatory requirements.
6. Represent HCL in the UK and European Ecosystem
Attend and represent HCL Software’s at conferences, innovation forums, and industry summits in the UK and Europe.
Publish thought leadership articles, white papers, and case studies to showcase HCL Software’s innovation capabilities.
Facilitate internal workshops and training sessions to promote a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a similar discipline.
Experience:
Over 8 years of experience in open innovation, strategic partnerships, or technology scouting roles, Proven track record of fostering collaborations with startups, accelerators, and research institutions and experience in managing external partnerships and evaluating technology investments.
Skills:
- Strong understanding of emerging technologies, including Quantum computing, AI, IoT, cloud computing, and edge computing.
- Exceptional negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive results in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
- Familiarity with European data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR) and their implications for technology adoption.
Candidate Data Privacy Notice
https://www.hcltech.com/candidate-privacy-notice
Senior Leader – Open Innovation and Strategic Alliances employer: HCLSoftware
Contact Detail:
HCLSoftware Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Leader – Open Innovation and Strategic Alliances
✨Tip Number 1
Network actively within the innovation ecosystem. Attend industry conferences, workshops, and meetups focused on open innovation and strategic partnerships. This will help you connect with key players in startups, research institutions, and venture capital firms.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on emerging technologies relevant to the role, such as AI, IoT, and cloud computing. Follow thought leaders in these fields on social media and engage with their content to demonstrate your knowledge and passion during discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of successful collaborations you've led or been a part of. Highlight how these experiences align with HCL Software’s goals and how you can bring similar success to their open innovation initiatives.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarize yourself with HCL Software’s current products and services, as well as their recent innovations. This knowledge will allow you to speak confidently about how you can integrate new technologies into their offerings and drive internal innovation.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Leader – Open Innovation and Strategic Alliances
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in open innovation, strategic partnerships, and technology scouting. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to foster collaborations with startups and research institutions.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for driving external innovation initiatives. Discuss how your strategic vision aligns with HCL Software’s goals and provide examples of successful partnerships or projects you've led.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Emphasize your understanding of emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and cloud computing. Highlight your negotiation and relationship management skills, as well as any experience with European data privacy regulations.
Prepare for Interviews: Be ready to discuss your previous experiences in detail, particularly those involving collaboration with startups and research institutions. Prepare to share insights on current trends in technology and how they can impact HCL Software’s offerings.
How to prepare for a job interview at HCLSoftware
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
Be prepared to discuss your strategic vision for open innovation and how you would approach building partnerships with startups and research institutions. Highlight any previous experiences where you've successfully driven innovation initiatives.
✨Demonstrate Relationship Management Skills
Since this role involves establishing strong relationships, be ready to share examples of how you've built and maintained partnerships in the past. Focus on your negotiation skills and how you've navigated complex stakeholder environments.
✨Highlight Your Technical Knowledge
Make sure to demonstrate your understanding of emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and cloud computing. Discuss any relevant projects or experiences that showcase your ability to evaluate and integrate these technologies into business strategies.
✨Prepare for Questions on Collaboration
Expect questions about how you would facilitate collaboration between internal teams and external partners. Think of specific examples where you've successfully managed cross-functional teams and driven results through collaboration.
