Vice President of Innovation & Partnerships

Reporting To

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Role Summary

The Vice President of Innovation & Partnerships will lead the company’s technology and innovation strategy, driving government-supported R&D, new product development for niche and global markets, and the translation of innovation into scalable commercial outcomes. This role bridges government grants, technology innovation, corporate partnerships, and ecosystem development, positioning the company as a recognized innovation leader globally.

Key Responsibilities

1. Innovation & Technology Strategy

• Define and execute the company’s innovation roadmap aligned with business growth and long-term vision

• Identify emerging technologies, market gaps, and niche application opportunities

• Translate R&D outcomes into commercially viable products and platforms

2. Government Grants & Innovation Funding

• Lead government grant strategy (national and international) including innovation subsidies, R&D tax incentives, and co-funded programs

• Oversee proposal development, budgeting, compliance, and reporting

• Build strong relationships with government agencies, innovation offices, and funding bodies

3. New Product Development & Customization

• Drive new product development (NPD) for niche and high-value markets

• Oversee pilot trials, proof-of-concepts, and field deployments with strategic customers

• Enable product customization and modular innovation to meet diverse customer and market needs

4. Corporate & Global Partnerships

• Establish and manage corporate partnerships for co-development, pilots, and commercialization

• Lead global partnerships with industry leaders, system integrators, and technology providers

• Structure win-win collaboration models including joint development, licensing, and revenue sharing

5. Ecosystem Development & Market Enablement

• Build and nurture a strong innovation ecosystem across industry, government, and academia

• Support entry into new markets through strategic pilots and lighthouse deployments

• Elevate the company’s technology innovation profile through thought leadership, showcases, and flagship projects

6. University Collaboration & Joint Labs

• Establish university collaborations, joint laboratories, and applied research programs

• Enable technology transfer from academia to product and market

• Drive talent pipelining through internships, postgraduate projects, and joint appointments

7. Leadership & Governance

• Lead cross-functional teams spanning R&D, engineering, product, and partnerships

• Ensure innovation governance, IP strategy, and alignment with business priorities

• Represent the company in innovation councils, industry forums, and global platforms

Key Qualifications

Experience

• 8+ years of experience in technology innovation, R&D leadership, or product strategy

• Proven track record in government grants, innovation subsidies, or public-private partnerships

• Experience leading new product development, pilots, and commercialization

• Strong exposure to global partnerships and ecosystem building

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong execution capability

• Deep understanding of technology-to-market pathways

• Excellent stakeholder management across government, industry, and academia

• Strong proposal writing, negotiation, and partnership structuring skills

• Ability to translate technical innovation into business value

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, Innovation Management, or related field

• Master’s degree or equivalent training is an advantage

Key Success Metrics

• Value and impact of secured government grants and subsidies

• Number and success of pilot trials and product launches

• Growth in strategic corporate and global partnerships

• Establishment of joint labs and university collaborations

• Strengthened global technology innovation reputation of the company