Innovation Specialist - Startups & Ventures

Job Summary

Join our Technology Futures & Innovation team, where innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Bringing cutting-edge solutions to the products and services we offer has been key to our past success and will drive our future prosperity. We’re looking for someone who can turn emerging technologies into large‑scale, production‑ready capabilities with strong delivery practices and operational rigor. You’ll work closely with teams across the business while also operating independently to drive outcomes. If you’re experienced in scaling innovation, improving operational readiness, and collaborating to embed new capabilities at pace, we invite you to apply and help shape the future of Emirates Group as an Innovation Specialist.

In this role you will

• Develop the innovation funnel in coordination with the innovation channel managers by working with IT colleagues and business partners across the IT portfolios. Organize design thinking sprints to identify problems and opportunities for innovation.
• Assess the progression of work through various stages of the innovation funnel by collaborating with different innovation channel managers (e.g. strategic technology partners, incubator start-ups, academic partners, and hackathons) and provide regular status reports to the Innovation Leadership Team.
• Track and monitor ideas in the innovation funnel assigned to each channel, leveraging the skills and abilities of each, and support the progression and delivery as required, working closely with IT Change Managers, IT Engagement Team, and the Innovation Channel Managers.
• Identify, develop, and utilize the necessary tools and reports (Metrics) to manage the innovation office and the innovation funnel.
• Conduct innovation workshops, training events, and presentations. Develop training and workshop materials for external and internal programs. Organise and coordinate internal IT and business forums for innovation.
• Develop the innovation brand with necessary metrics of evaluation, including the development of a group-wide innovation communication strategy, and the review and development or revamp of current communication channels.
• Drive a positive change in the innovation culture and identify opportunities to develop employee crowdsourcing of innovation ideas including the creation and maintenance of an employee portal/hackathon platform.
• Work closely with the projects team on developing and executing innovation aspects and scope of projects.
• Conduct research on innovation ecosystem and contribute to potential projects for stakeholder

Qualification

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Management, Technology, or Innovation
• Minimum of 5 years experience in Information Technology, Technology Innovation, or other related fields

To be consider for the role you must meet the below requirements:

• Experience in dynamic, fast-paced environments and enjoys turning ideas into tangible business impact
• Hands-on experience delivering innovation initiatives or managing large-scale technology programmes
• Strong ability to navigate change within complex, matrixed organisations
• Blended product thinking with project discipline to drive ideas from concept to execution
• Comfortable supporting and delivering workshops, events, and innovation engagements when required
• Experience of working across strategy, research, stakeholder engagement, coordination, and delivery
• Highly collaborative, proactive, and adaptable team player
• Passionate about shaping the future of technology and innovation within the Emirates Group

Preferred skills

• Experience working with venture capitalists and understanding their requirements and expectations.
• History of hosting successful startup events, workshops, or training sessions.
• Strong network within the startup ecosystem, particularly in the UAE.
• Demonstrated understanding of new and emerging technologies relevant to startup ecosystems.
• Ability to assess the potential of startups based on their technology and market trends.