Head of Innovation at Swissnex in India’s
Looking to hire a new Head of Innovation to lead Swissnex in India’s innovation team by immersing themselves in the Indian and Swiss innovation ecosystems and contributing to taking Indo-Swiss relations in science, technology and innovation to the next level.
This is a chance for you to push boundaries and find new and creative ways to enhance partnerships between the Swiss and Indian innovation ecosystems—think startups, corporates and research institutes with business relevance. This role is for someone with an inventive mind and gravitas who can take on significant responsibilities of external representation and internal leadership.
You will plan the engagement of the Swiss innovation ecosystem in India throughout the year. This includes managing recurring key mandates, working with Swiss corporates to create value through innovation consulting, and supporting 20+ startups annually with their India internationalisation plans. You will set the strategy and direction for the innovation team and gather the necessary resources for all the work by the team. You will build meaningful and long-standing partnerships with players in the Indian and Swiss ecosystems. You will drive recommendations for Swiss innovations in the Indian value chain, including identifying value across the user journey.
Within the Swiss government ecosystem in India, you will collaborate with other teams (the Swiss Business Hub, the Embassy of Switzerland and the Swiss Development Corporation) with a “One Switzerland” approach. As a team leader at Swissnex in India, you will be responsible for the management and development of 3-4 direct reports providing guidance and coaching to support their professional development and growth. You will oversee workflow prioritisation, processes, budgets, and track KPIs. Not limited to the immediate team, you will influence hiring, support onboarding and integrating new hires, contribute to setting the team culture, and redefine processes to increase efficiency.
Examples of representation work you will lead in India and Switzerland are interviews, panel discussions, serving on juries and giving recommendations on position papers. Examples of projects and programmes driven by the innovation team include the Academia Industry Training programme, Startup Internationalisation Camps, Corporate Innovation and thematic initiatives.
To succeed in this role, you must be comfortable taking decisions, own a high degree of responsibility, be able to research and present a broad range of innovation-related topics, and roll up your sleeves and work in the trenches. You will have to identify new trends and developments and steer our work in the right direction. You must be comfortable working in ambiguous environments, and be able to smartly drive communication between partners, mandators and stakeholders to arrive at win-win situations. If you match all the attributes above, and you are a confident person and carry yourself with integrity and grace, we want to hear from you.
Key Responsibility Areas
Strategic Planning and Programmatic Execution
- Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic annual plan for engaging the Swiss innovation ecosystem in India, including major programmatic interventions.
- Track engagement metrics and satisfaction levels of key stakeholders, aiming for at least 80% positive feedback.
- Leverage existing resources and build new partnerships to meet programme goals.
- Align interventions with the goals of Swissnex and key stakeholders and complete all tasks in a time-bound manner.
Innovation Consulting
- Establish relationships with 10+ corporates and support 20+ startups in their India internationalisation efforts annually.
- Utilise existing networks and resources to provide meaningful consulting and support. Measure the number and quality of partnerships through collaborative projects and feedback.
- Enhance the value and impact of Swiss innovation in the Indian market.
Team Leadership and Development
- Lead and manage a team of 3-4 direct reports.
- Track team performance and professional growth through regular reviews and feedback, aiming for a 90% satisfaction rate.
- Conduct periodic reviews and set development plans within the first 3 months.
- Utilise mentorship skills and ensure a high-performing team that contributes to the overall success of the innovation initiatives.
External Representation and Trend Identification
- Participate in networking events. Leverage expertise and network to secure speaking opportunities and gather insights.
- Gather feedback and report on emerging trends in innovation.
- Position Swissnex as a thought leader and keep the organisation ahead of industry trends.
Collaboration within Swiss Government Ecosystem
- Foster collaboration with the Swiss Business Hub, the Embassy of Switzerland, the Swiss Development Corporation and the Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce to implement joint initiatives.
- Track the number and success of collaborative initiatives, aiming for at least 3 successful joint projects.
- Promote a unified “One Switzerland” approach.
Requirements
- Master’s degree or higher in a relevant science and technology field, innovation management or a related discipline.
- Minimum 7-10 years of experience in innovation management, business development or a related field.
- Experience in internationalisation strategies.
- Demonstrated experience in leading and managing cross-functional teams.
- Experience in setting direction, overseeing projects, and managing budgets.
- Extensive experience in building and maintaining long-term partnerships with stakeholders, including government bodies, corporates and academia.
- Experience in representing organisations in public forums.
- Demonstrated ability to work in multicultural environments and navigate different cultural contexts.
- Fluency in English is required; knowledge of German or French or Italian is a plus.
Benefits
- Competitive salaries, with 13th month salary.
- Medical coverage (90:10, where 90% of the medical expenditure is covered by the Consulate General).
- 20 days of paid leave per year and up to 15 days of a mix of Indian and Swiss public holidays.
- An open culture in the context of a diplomatic mission.
- Cutting-edge learning opportunities.
- This job opening offers an exciting opportunity for an initial one-year contract with the potential for extension, allowing you to build a long-lasting and rewarding career with us.