Innovation Portfolio Lead

The Innovation Portfolio Lead is a strategic role responsible for driving alignment and operational excellence across the global seed innovation portfolio. This role ensures that innovation investments are prioritized, resourced, and executed to deliver transformative solutions in seeds and advanced genetics technologies, aligned with long-term business strategy, global crop portfolio strategies, and market needs.

Essential Functions

Innovation Portfolio Leadership & Strategic Enablement

• Translate enterprise strategy into actionable innovation roadmaps across R&D.
• Lead long-range planning and partner with internal stakeholders on R&D investment prioritization.
• Oversee R&D pipeline optimization and lifecycle management of seed and advanced genetics innovations.
• Guide cross-functional teams through stage-gate processes and commercialization milestones.
  
  

Innovation Governance & Operational Excellence

• Steward innovation management systems and planning cycles.
• Ensure consistency and simplification across resource costing, data inputs, and reporting.
• Partner with finance and R&D sub-functions to align budgets and capacity planning.
  
  

Stakeholder Engagement & External Partnerships

• Build strategic relationships with academic institutions, research organizations, and industry partners.
• Represent the organization in innovation forums, conferences, and public engagements.
• Partner with R&D sub-functions to identify opportunities for external collaborations aligned with innovation strategy.
  
  

Leadership & Change Management

• Champion innovation culture and organizational transformation.
• Mentor cross-functional teams and embed innovation management principles across the organization.
• Drive change initiatives that enhance strategic alignment and employee engagement.
  
  

Preferred Skills And Qualifications

• Keen understanding of agricultural industry, global seed markets, market dynamics, and customer needs, and the overall business.
• Strong innovation mindset to think creatively and differentiate our product portfolio in a global market.
• Business financial acumen; demonstrated experience in managing large operating and capital budgets.
• Demonstrated ability as a thought leader, challenging status quo and driving investment prioritizations to enable long-term future business success.
• Demonstrated ability to influence others, working collaboratively across functions toward an aligned business strategy.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and guide a global, multidisciplinary team towards common goals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building and nurturing relationships both internally and externally.
• Demonstrated adaptability and willingness to work across disciplines.
  
  

Education

Minimum Education / Experience Required:

• Advanced degree (M.S., MBA, with Ph.D. preferred) in Plant Breeding, Plant Science, Genetics, Agronomy, Business, Finance or related field.
  
  

Experience

• 7 years of scientific experience in breeding, advanced genetics, biotechnology, regulatory, or technical agronomy.
• 7 years of commercial or relevant industry experience in product development, product management, sales, marketing, or sales agronomy.
• Global scientific or commercial leadership experience with the depth and breadth of technical expertise to solve complex technical problems and deliver comprehensive solutions.
• Strong project management skills and ownership for delivering high-quality results.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, prioritize tasks, and make data-driven decisions.
  
  

Benefits – How We’ll Support You

• Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
• Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
• Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
• Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays
• Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
• Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
• Learn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva Benefits
• Check out life at Corteva! www.linkedin.com/company/corteva/life
  
  

Are you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.

Corteva Agriscience is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.