Senior Innovation Manager/ Innovation Manager

1. Role Purpose

The Innovation Manager drives Mission Partner (MP) engagement, identifies innovation needs, develops innovation pathways, and coordinates innovation activities that support public safety and homeland security outcomes.

The role ensures strong stakeholder relationships, uncovers Challenge Statements (CS), facilitates innovation engagements, and works closely with the Scouting & Insights Unit and Programs Unit to translate MP needs into viable innovation projects and opportunities.

The Senior Innovation Manager performs these responsibilities with greater autonomy, complexity, and leadership, including leading major MP accounts, managing complex innovation pathways, and mentoring junior managers.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Mission Partner Engagement & Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary working-level contact for assigned Mission Partners.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with MP officers and operational stakeholders.
• Understand MP operational contexts, strategic priorities, and pain points.
• Ensure timely communication, follow-up actions, and account satisfaction.

B. Challenge Statement (CS) Identification & Innovation Needs Analysis

• Identify and articulate MP pain points, operational challenges, and innovation needs.
• Collaborate with Scouting & Insights (S&I) to validate and refine CS.
• Document CS for formal intake into Hatch’s innovation pipeline.
• Ensure CS are translated into actionable innovation opportunities.

C. Innovation Pathway Development

• Develop tailored innovation pathways aligned to MP needs and Hatch’s program capabilities.
• Recommend suitable programs or formats such as:
• Dimension X
• In Beta
• POCs/pilots
• Advisory or discovery sessions
• Innovation Safaris or Dojo (future program)
• Work with the Programs Unit to ensure pathway alignment, feasibility and readiness.

D. Facilitation of Innovation Activities

• Plan and organise MP-facing engagements including:
• Innovation Safaris
• Innovation Dojo sessions (future)
• Innovation advisory workshops
• Strategy or discovery workshops
• Ensure sessions deliver value and contribute to MP innovation maturity.

E. Monitoring of MP-Linked Innovation Projects

• Track project progress and maintain visibility of all MP-specific innovation activities.
• Coordinate with the Programs Unit for updates on POCs, pilots, and program milestones.
• Maintain structured documentation (notes, logs, updates, next actions).
• Escalate risks or blockers to the Head, Partner Success.

F. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with:
• Scouting & Insights for startup recommendations and insights
• Programs Unit for delivery coordination
• Collaborations Team for upstream partnership and lead identification
• Ensure information flow and alignment across units.

G. Reporting, Analysis & Portfolio Management

• Maintain account dashboards and activity trackers.
• Prepare reports and briefs for internal management or MP updates.
• Provide insights on MP trends, opportunities, and innovation readiness.
• Support the overall Partner Success portfolio management process.

H. Continuous Improvement

• Identify improvement opportunities within Partner Success workflows.
• Share feedback to enhance innovation pathways, engagement models, and MP experience.
• Contribute to internal playbooks, templates, tools, and best practices.

3. Required Competencies

Technical & Functional

• Stakeholder engagement and account management
• Problem identification and CS articulation
• Innovation facilitation (workshops, safaris, dojo)
• Cross-functional coordination
• Documentation and reporting
• Familiarity with public safety and innovation ecosystems

Behavioural

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Empathy and stakeholder sensitivity
• Organised and structured work style
• Proactive, resourceful, and outcome-oriented
• Ability to manage concurrent engagements
• Adaptability and resilience

4. Qualifications & Experience

Innovation Manager (Entry–Mid Level)

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Business, Innovation, Engineering, Social Sciences or related fields.
• 3–6 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, account management, public sector work, innovation roles, or program coordination.
• Experience with workshops, stakeholder facilitation, or innovation processes is advantageous.

Senior Innovation Manager (Mid–Senior Level)

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 6–10+ years of relevant experience in innovation management, stakeholder engagement, public-sector advisory, or complex program coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to lead major MP accounts or complex innovation engagements.
• Experience mentoring junior staff is preferred.

5. Key Working Relationships

Internal

• Head, Partner Success
• Scouting & Insights Unit
• Programs Unit
• Collaborations Team
• Marketing/Experience/Brand (as needed)
• Shared Services (as needed)

External

• Mission Partners (government agencies)
• Startups and technology providers
• Ecosystem partners and networks