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Job Description: Head of Innovation Centre

NOTE: This role is based at AFC House. It will be required to be onsite 3 days a week.

Position Overview:
We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Head of Innovation Centre to lead and manage our London-based innovation hub, driving strategic partnerships, customer engagement, and operational excellence. This role is pivotal in fostering an ecosystem of innovation within the transit sector in the UK and continental Europe, ensuring seamless collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, and delivering impactful results aligned with organizational objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Partnership Management:

Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with government entities, academic partners, nonprofits and industry partners

Build and nurture an ecosystem of collaborators within the transit industry in the UK and Europe, fostering synergies and innovative solutions.

Act as the primary liaison for partnership initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Demonstrations and Showcases:

Lead the creation and execution of engaging demos to showcase breakthrough technologies and products from across all Cubic Transportation Systems including Ventures, Engineering and the programs

Conceive, organize and execute staffing plans for customer demonstrations, likely to include rotation program for key engineering talent

Media and Communications:

Deeply collaborate with communications colleagues to develop and execute a robust strategy for press announcements and a continuous stream of press releases to amplify the Innovation Center’s visibility.

Represents the Innovation Center in media, conferences, and industry events.

Maintain technical credibility to lead demonstrations, answer technical questions, and provide expert commentary in the press.

Ensure the center’s initiatives are positioned as cutting-edge and impactful within the transportation sectors.

Budget Ownership and Governance:

Own and manage the center’s budget, including planning, tracking, and adhering to financial targets.

Oversee budget allocations, ensuring cost-effective resource utilization and compliance with financial governance standards.

Functionally manage budget for construction, building space and operational expenses; escalate to Chief Ventures Officer and/or EMEA General Manager as appropriate

Provide regular budget reports and updates to senior leadership, identifying risks and opportunities for optimization.

Operational Oversight:

Supervision of onsite projects to ensure timely completion within budget and quality standards.

Coordinate with project managers, contractors, and other stakeholders to resolve any operational challenges.

Ensure the physical infrastructure of the Innovation Center aligns with its strategic goals.

Client and Industry Engagement:

Serve as “host” for major industry events and customer demonstrations at the Innovation Centre

Plan and execute end-to-end client visits and showcase experiences.

Be client-facing and industry-facing, building strong relationships and fostering trust with stakeholders.

Strategic Leadership:

Partner with senior leadership to align the Innovation Center’s activities with broader organizational strategies and priorities.

Identify and pursue opportunities in the EMEA region, working with academic partners and hosting global summits on key topics.

Collaborate with industry thought leaders and consultants to position the Innovation Center as a global hub for innovation.

People Leadership:

Lead and inspire a diverse team in a matrixed environment, fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and accountability.

Promote an inclusive and innovative work environment, encouraging cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Proven experience in leading innovation initiatives, product development, partnerships, or similar roles within the transit or related industries.
• Strong understanding of the product development lifecycle and design thinking.
• Demonstrated success in media engagement and thought leadership campaigns.
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to manage and motivate.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• A results-oriented mindset with a strong track record of achieving strategic objectives.

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