Innovation Manager

ABOUT US

Plug and Play Tech Center (PnP) is the world’s largest open innovation platform, bringing together startups, investors, and corporations to drive the future of technology. With 65 offices worldwide, 550 corporate partners, and 2000 investments, we empower enterprises to accelerate their innovation journey through curated startup engagements, pilot projects, and strategic partnerships.

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are seeking an Innovation Manager to own, manage, and grow a portfolio of corporate accounts and limited partners. You will serve as the lead strategic advisor for your partners, helping define innovation strategies, facilitating startup collaboration, and ensuring long-term satisfaction and retention. This role blends strategy consulting, client relationship management, and program delivery at the intersection of enterprise innovation and the startup ecosystem.

KEY RESPONSABILITIES

- Account Ownership & Relationship Management 

• Own, manage, and grow the enterprise ecosystem, serving as their primary relationship manager.
• Build trust and long-term engagement by proactively managing accounts through regular meetings, stakeholder mapping, and executive engagement.
• Lead executive business reviews, delivering tailored content, substantive value, and actionable outcomes.
• Own key retention metrics (e.g., GDR, NDR), proactively identify churn risks, and partner with internal teams to mitigate them.
• Identify cross-sell opportunities and collaborate with the Sales team to expand engagement and revenue.

- Innovation Strategy & Advisory 

• Conduct discovery sessions with partners to assess strategic goals, innovation priorities, and business challenges.
• Define and implement innovation strategies through consulting activities such as strategy and ideation workshops.
• Advise on market trends, technology shifts, and startup ecosystems relevant to partner business needs.
• Design and deliver tailored advisory sessions with curated startup introductions and actionable recommendations.
• Capture and communicate key findings through post-session reports, presentations, and executive communications.
• Share partner insights with Ventures and Programs to shape Plug and Play’s roadmap and offerings.

- Ecosystem Engagement & Program Delivery 

• Collaborate with Ventures, Program, and Operations teams to identify relevant startups, emerging technologies, and industry trends.
• Facilitate and moderate partner-facing sessions, ensuring high-quality engagement and outcomes.
• Represent Plug and Play at industry events, conferences, and showcases to strengthen relationships and brand presence.

- Success Metrics 

• Within the first 12–18 months, success in this role will be measured by:
• Account Growth & Retention: Achieving strong GDR/NDR targets and building multi-year trust with assigned corporate partners and limited partners.
• Innovation Impact: Delivering measurable outcomes for partners (e.g., pilots launched, proof-of-concepts completed, adoption of new technologies).
• Executive Engagement: Leading executive business reviews that demonstrate strategic value and drive actionable next steps.
• Ecosystem Connectivity: Increasing partner participation in startup engagements, industry events, and cross-vertical opportunities.
• Revenue Expansion: Identifying and supporting cross-sell opportunities that generate incremental revenue in collaboration with the Sales team.
• Thought Leadership: Producing high-quality reports, presentations, or workshops that position Plug and Play as a trusted innovation advisor.

WHAT WE OFFER

• The opportunity to work at the forefront of global innovation with top corporations and startups.
• A fast-paced, international environment with career growth opportunities.
• Access to Plug and Play’s worldwide network of entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate leaders.
• Compensation Range: $100K - $150K

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 years of experience in consulting, innovation, account management, or customer success, specifically with enterprise clients.
• Proficiency in managing retention metrics and conducting executive business reviews.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills.
• Self-motivated, analytical, ambitious, entrepreneurial, and highly curious about emerging technologies.
• Ability to multitask effectively in a dynamic and fast-growing environment.
• Solid understanding of corporate innovation, emerging technology trends, and startup ecosystems.
• Excellent facilitation, presentation, and communication skills, with comfort engaging senior executives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, capable of translating insights into action.
• An entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on efficient execution.
• Even if you don't meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. We are looking for individuals who are driven, curious, and eager to learn.