Manager of Innovation & Partnerships

This role is pivotal in elevating and expanding VentureFuel’s Innovation Team, ensuring exceptional service for their corporate clients by implementing processes and procedures ensuring a client experience that leads to repeat business. The ideal candidate will possess a blend of strategic consultancy expertise, startup ecosystem knowledge, and leadership acumen.

About the Role:

You will lead innovation and commercialization programs from startup discovery through execution, helping established organizations identify and partner with innovative startups that solve real business challenges. You will work closely with startups, mentors, clients, and internal teams to build partnerships, manage commercialization opportunities, and deliver measurable business outcomes.

Success in this role means identifying great startup partners, driving projects forward, and helping clients and startups create meaningful business outcomes together.

Key Responsibilities:

Innovation & Partnership Management:

• Lead innovation and commercialization programs from startup discovery through execution.
• Source, evaluate, and recommend startups aligned with client objectives.
• Build relationships across startups, mentors, clients, and internal teams to drive engagement and progress.
• Manage partnerships, pilots, mentorship sessions, and commercialization opportunities between startups and enterprise organizations.
• Own program execution, ensuring projects are delivered on time, at a high standard, and with a strong stakeholder experience.

Qualifications:

Required:

• 3–6+ years of direct experience in corporate innovation, innovation consulting, entrepreneurship, new product development, or a related field.
• Understand innovation, technology, commercialization, and how new ideas become real business opportunities at established companies.
• Ability to manage complex projects and keep multiple stakeholders aligned and moving forward.
• Strong executive communicator who can work effectively with founders, executives, and cross-functional teams.
• Organized, accountable, intellectually curious, and comfortable operating in fast-moving environments.
• Balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.

Why Apply:

Few roles offer the opportunity to work at the intersection of startups, emerging technologies, and enterprise innovation. 

You'll gain exposure to all kinds of AI and novel technologies, and how senior executives at established organizations approach growth and business challenges. Along the way, you'll develop skills in startup evaluation, commercialization, executive communication, stakeholder management, innovation frameworks, and program leadership.

Finally, as a growing company, VentureFuel offers significant opportunities for learning, responsibility, career growth, and impact. We want people who are looking to build and grow the company together. 

If you believe your background is appropriate or would like to discuss the opportunity in detail, send your resume and cover letter to Jobs@VentureFuel.net

About VentureFuel: