Director, Business Innovation

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director, Business Innovation will lead MELIC’s supply-chain and wellness innovation portfolio and serve as MELIC’s primary liaison to the Berkeley and Silicon Valley innovation ecosystems. The role combines early-stage venture development with ecosystem relationship management to identify, incubate, and accelerate transformative solutions aligned with Mitsubishi Electric’s strategic priorities.

The essential functions of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Innovation & Venture Development

• Lead end-to-end innovation projects from concept validation to spin-out readiness in supply-chain, healthcare and wellness domains.
• Build and execute product roadmaps, go-to-market strategies, and venture milestones for new initiatives.
• Collaborate with Mitsubishi Electric business units and research teams to ensure strategic alignment and technical feasibility.
• Identify and validate new venture opportunities emerging from MELIC’s open innovation activities.

2. Ecosystem Engagement

• Foster strong relationships with UC Berkeley, SkyDeck, Haas, UCSF, and broader Silicon Valley innovation networks, engaging with startups, researchers, and investors.
• Represent MELIC at conferences, demo days, and ecosystem events to strengthen Mitsubishi Electric’s brand and visibility in the innovation community.
• Build and maintain pipelines of high-potential collaboration opportunities and startups aligned with MELIC’s focus areas.

3. Academic Collaboration

• Manage MELIC’s UC Berkeley Capstone Program, including project selection, scope definition, mentorship, and final evaluation.
• Partner with academic faculty and student teams to align research deliverables with real-world business needs. Identify pre-seed stage investment opportunities.
• Serve as a mentor and bridge between academia and corporate R&D teams, ensuring impactful and actionable outcomes.

4. Execution & Governance

• Define success metrics for innovation initiatives, including market validation, partnership traction, and commercial impact.
• Prepare progress reports, presentations, and investment memos for executive and board-level reviews.
• Manage project budgets, resources, and cross-functional coordination across MELIC and external collaborators.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• MBA, MCIT, or equivalent advanced degree in Business, Computer Science, Health Informatics, or related field.
• 6 years of experience in digital solutions, AI, supply-chain or innovation leadership roles with 0-to-1 product development track record.
• Strong familiarity with Berkeley and Silicon Valley innovation ecosystems.
  Proven ability to build and maintain high-trust partnerships across academia, startups, and enterprises.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in complex, matrixed environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of engaging both technical and executive audiences.
• Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Relationship-oriented with strong collaboration skills.
• Passion for healthcare innovation and technology commercialization.
• High degree of initiative, adaptability, and ownership.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and leadership abilities.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $149,600 and $205,700/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including commissions based on achieving individual performance and/or sales metrics, incentive compensation and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these additional compensation and benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, domestic partnership, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, military or veteran status or other legally protected status (except when one of these criteria is a legally permissible bona- fide occupational qualification).

The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the Company, or (c) consistent with the Company’s legal duty to furnish information.

To view the EEO is The Law Poster and the supplement, please visit www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf

To view the Notice to Job Applicants and Employees regarding San Francisco's Fair Chance Ordinance and the Know Your Rights poster please visit www.sfgov.org/olse/sites/default/files/FCO poster2020_0.pdf

Applicants with a disability who need assistance with the application process may contact Human Resources by email at employment@meus.mea.com or by calling 714.229.3813.