Airport Innovation Lead

The Airport Innovation Lead is responsible for developing an airport wide innovation practice with a long-term business improvement focus and will be responsible for the establishment of an innovation team with the frameworks Strategy and Processes required to effectively execute innovations at an Australian/Queensland airport.

The Airport Innovation Lead will collaborate closely with all areas of the business as well as key external business partners in order to;
- find opportunities for innovation,
- prioritize innovations with the most value to the company and its 4 bosses (community, customers, employees, stakeholders)
- execute the key innovations together with business partners.

The key deliverables associated with this assignment include the timely delivery and successful implementation of a working innovation practice that delivers a steady stream of innovations providing demonstratable value to the company. The Innovation Lead will be responsible for managing the practice and working with key stakeholders across the business to ensure to successful delivery of innovations using a structured and repeatable process.

Key Responsibilities/Tasks

Role Specific
- Develop and execute a comprehensive innovation process aligned with the organization’s goals, and objectives including key decision and communication moments
- Develop and support the identification of innovation opportunities that span across the company, including operational improvements, commercial initiatives and asset management.
- Develop and implement a strategic innovation pipeline based on strong consumer, technical and aviation understanding, by utilizing excellence in creative (innovative) and strategic thinking.
- Assess and mitigate risks associated with executing innovation projects
- Lead cross functional teams in generating and developing innovative ideas, concepts and solutions to address key challenges and to garner broad corporate wide support for Innovation initiatives.
- Set up and run Innovation governance with key stakeholders and sponsors of innovation.
- Establish and foster relationships with external stakeholders (including relevant universities, Industry and technology partners,) for cooperation and idea sharing in the innovation space.
- Build collaborative partnerships with internal stakeholders, (including Senior Management and various working groups); influencing decision-making processes related to business performance improvement, innovation and capacity development activities.
- Drive a creative and innovative culture within the company by fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment, organizing innovation workshops and promoting knowledge sharing
- Attend industry events related to aviation innovation

Required Formal Qualifications
- Master's degree in an engineering discipline

Required Experience

Essential
- Minimum of 8-10 years experience leading an aviation innovation practice, preferably within the Schiphol Group
- Proven experience in Airport Asset management, Terminal Operations processes.
- Proven track record of implementing recent and relevant Airport specific Innovations at a major international airport.
- Proven knowledge in dealing with IATA airport regulations, particularly how these regulations impact airport innovation processes.
- High level of experience in stakeholder management, being able to convince and collaborate with external & internal parties.
- Strong analytical thinking and problem solving skills.
- Strong project management experience
- Leadership experience
- Aviation industry experience
- Strong communication skills and ability to persuade decision makers
- Proven track record of implementing sustainability innovations in the aviation industry

**Required Skills**:

- Stakeholder management abilities including influencing and ability to create enthusiasm
- Ability to assess corporate processes and infuse innovation practice within the existing company environment
- Ability to exercise sound commercial judgement and recognize and respond to risk within tolerances.
- Ability to meet deadlines, review and develop business processes, meet changing business needs.
- Accuracy and attention to detail.

The company has established several behaviors that form the minimum expectations around ‘how’ work activities are performed. These are;
- Achieving outcomes through partnerships; and
- Supporting the company; and
- Showing initiative and flexibility.

In addition, the following qualities have been identified as being essential for individual success in this role.

Personal Attributes

(Managing Self)
- Attention to detail
- Entrepreneurial initiative
- Technical/professional proficiency

Interpersonal Ability

(Leading and Influencing Others)
- Stakeholder management
- Customer focus
- Relationship building
- Problem Solving

Task Ability

(Managing Work)
- Opportunity identification
- Leading others
- Influence and persuasiveness
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