Head of Open Innovation Arena

Everything we do starts with people. Our purpose is to provide freedom to move, in a personal, sustainable and safe way. We are committed to simplifying our customers’ lives by offering better technology solutions that improve their impact on the world and bringing the most advanced mobility innovations to protect them, their loved ones and the people around them. 

Volvo Cars’ continued success is the result of a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive working environment. The people of Volvo Cars are committed to making a difference in our world. Today, we are one of the most well-known and respected car brands, with over 40,000 employees across the globe. We believe in bringing out the best in each other and harnessing the true power of people. At Volvo Cars your career is designed around your talents and aspirations so you can reach your full potential. Join us on a journey of a lifetime as we create safety, autonomous driving and electrification technologies of tomorrow.

Head of Open Innovation Arena- OIA
The role of the Open Innovation Arena is to prepare Volvo Cars for different futures by tackling our greatest uncertainties. Our ambition is set very high – it goes far beyond technology and encompasses all aspects to reach planetary safety.
Now we are looking for our next Head of the Open Innovation Arena, someone who can lead in an abstract, uncertain, creative, societal focused trajectory with the energy and wisdom that the less traveled road often gives the most interesting results.
The Open Innovation Arena is a construct based on the idea that innovation is a companywide matter. A matter that cannot be centralized, but a competence that needs to be spread, and shared. An arena is an open construct, not for the selected few but a place of participation reaching beyond the Volvo Cars.
Come and see for yourself - Innovation at its best
What You’ll Do:
The future towards which Volvo is currently heading is one of higher margins through the means of direct consumer relationships. The leap is massive. From a manufacturer of cars to a mobility provider and beyond. On this journey on which Volvo has just recently embarked, some factors are relatively certain, and some are uncertain. The relatively certain we have set goals for, created strategies for and designed architectures and organizations for. 

For the uncertain we need to prepare - think, test and do. That is why we created the Open Innovation Arena. The purpose is to connect the fragmented or isolated dots of ideas, knowledge and insights outside and inside across the company, into actionable shapes. The Arena is by default very dynamic to enable exploration and experimentation. Products, leadership and incentive models are tested. Mental models and systems are assessed for exploration, learning and action. Missions are formed to experiment and systemically evaluate feasibility. 
As Head of Innovation you will support innovation as an open and dynamic concept with an emergent mentality and a dare not to always lead.

Main parts of the arena’s anatomy consist of:
Strategy and Foresight – Ensuring outside in and inside out perspectives and diversity of mental models is applied. Supporting strategic relevance and enhance learning through cross conversations.

Lab, Experiment & Research – Providing rapid evaluation and learning, by democratizing and developing tools and methods for experimental research. Generating ideas and concepts, and catalyzing innovation, based on robust cross-functional insights. 

Internal and external engagement – Bringing internal and external knowledge and resources to and from the Innovation Arena to spread innovation across the company, ensure internal collaboration and involvement and steer toward external orientation. 

Pushing ways of working the concept of Agile working methodology to find innovative. 
Who are you?
Master’s degree in engineering, business or equivalent.  
Minimum of 10 years in similar innovation environments. 
Experienced in stakeholder management internal and external. 
Developing R&D plans to realize concrete roadmaps relative to innovation and technology advancements. 
A passion for building from the ground up with desire to push the boundaries of innovation.  
An innovative, collaborative, curious, energetic, perseverant, and all-encompassing team player. 
We see you as having leadership experience but also having a background where you too got your hands and mind working on projects and goals previously. 
How to Learn More And Apply:
We welcome your CV highlighting your failures and successes. Closing date for applications is 20th August 2021. If you have questions regarding this exciting role please contact Senior Recruiter craig.schlebusch@volvocars.com 

Please note, due to GDPR we cannot accept application through E-mail