Job Description
Join Innovate 2026 Labs at the forefront of tomorrow's revolution. We're seeking a visionary Futurist & Strategic Innovation Manager to architect our 2026 roadmap and transform cutting-edge concepts into market-leading realities. This pivotal role combines deep foresight with operational excellence to position our company as the industry's innovation leader in the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
In this high-impact position, you'll lead cross-functional teams through the entire innovation lifecycle – from trend analysis to prototype development to commercialization. You'll collaborate with C-suite executives, R&D specialists, and external partners to identify breakthrough opportunities that will shape the next decade. If you're passionate about anticipating market shifts and driving transformative change, this is your chance to define the future.
Responsibilities
- Analyze emerging technology trends, market shifts, and socio-economic factors to forecast 2026+ industry disruptions
- Develop and execute strategic innovation roadmaps aligned with long-term business objectives
- Lead cross-functional teams through the full innovation pipeline from ideation to market launch
- Establish partnerships with academic institutions, startups, and industry thought leaders
- Present compelling innovation strategies and future scenarios to executive leadership and stakeholders
- Manage a $5M+ innovation portfolio with rigorous ROI tracking and risk assessment
- Champion a culture of experimentation and rapid prototyping across the organization
Qualifications
- Master's degree in Futurism, Innovation Management, Strategic Planning, or related field (PhD preferred)
- 8+ years in strategic innovation, product development, or foresight roles at Fortune 500 companies
- Proven track record of launching 3+ breakthrough products/services with $50M+ revenue impact
- Expertise in scenario planning, trend analysis, and horizon scanning methodologies
- Deep knowledge of emerging technologies: AI/ML, quantum computing, biotech, sustainable energy
- Exceptional communication skills with ability to articulate complex future scenarios to diverse audiences
- Experience managing innovation budgets and driving agile development processes
- Published thought leadership in innovation or futurism (articles, patents, or books)