Head of Innovation and Special Projects

The Head of Innovation and Special Projects will establish and drive a new Innovation function within the organization, focusing on strategy development, implementation, and cross-functional collaboration. The role requires a dynamic leader who can provide strategic direction, influence stakeholders at all levels, and foster partnerships across the aviation ecosystem. The role holder will be hands-on, resourceful, and capable of operating effectively with limited initial resources while building the department’s credibility and value.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the organization’s strategy, processes, and systems to establish the new function in conjunction with the VP of Strategy.
• Develop and implement the vision, innovation strategy, framework, and methodologies to identify, incubate, and develop new products and services, introduce disruptive ideas, and improve existing processes.
• Serve as a subject matter expert to guide initiatives and drive a cultural shift towards innovation.
• Design a maturity roadmap to embed a culture of innovation across all divisions.
• Apply a data-driven approach to shaping ideas into concept papers and business cases, including financial modeling (ROI, NPV, IRR).
• Lead efforts to achieve Innovation KPIs in the corporate scorecard.

Stakeholder Engagement & Influence

• Collaborate cross-functionally with all levels of the organization to secure buy-in and alignment.
• Support VP of Strategy with management of requests and reporting from ADQ Innovation function.
• Influence external stakeholders across the aviation ecosystem for Proof of Concepts (POCs) and trials.
• Develop innovation operating models and engagement approaches to generate ideas and develop business cases.
• Execute employee engagement and marketing plans to identify internal innovation champions.
• Oversee champion innovation programs, budget, and resources.
• Provide indirect leadership and coaching to champions from other departments.
• Embed a customer-centric focus in innovation initiatives.
• Develop and execute internal communications strategy to promote new initiatives.
• Establish a champions network to drive engagement and foster an innovation culture.

Partnerships & Ecosystem Development

• Represent the organization in engagements with third parties for POCs and potential joint ventures (JVs).
• Build and maintain a network of local and international incubators and innovation centers.
• Explore and analyze innovation opportunities across aviation and other industries.

Operational & Financial Management

• Oversee annual budgeting and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Monitor performance using a balanced scorecard to track progress and demonstrate value.

Innovation Process Management

Implement the Innovation Blueprint and related methodologies from Idea PoC Pilot MVP

• full rollout.
• Ensure practicality and scalability of solutions and behaviors in testing initiatives.
• Implement governance processes to provide data-driven updates, forecasts, and risk mitigation actions.

Financial Oversight & Performance Tracking

• Provide annual budgeting for resources, investments, and operating costs.
• Track progress, performance, risk, and resource allocation to maximize ROI.

Capability Development & Training

• Identify and coordinate innovation training and awareness programs.
Develop evaluation criteria and frameworks for higher-risk, ambiguous innovation concepts to select initiatives to pursue.

Requirements & Skills

Top Competencies Required

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to influence different stakeholder groups
• Proficiency in writing business cases and developing business models from concept to implementation
• Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, and scheduling applications
• Strong interpersonal skills, high energy, and perseverance
• Attention to detail with ability to manage multiple tasks
Experience with development lifecycles (idea incubation PoC pilot
• delivery)
• Stakeholder management skills
• Experience in airports and aviation ecosystem
• Experience in setting up and leading an innovation function
• Ability to identify and define value (financial/non-financial) and create business cases
• Understanding of innovation frameworks for technology and non-technology innovation
• Strong analytics skills for program data, reporting, dashboards, and PMO support

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business or a related field

Experience

• 10+ years of process and/or project management experience