As Director Technology Partnerships & Strategic Innovation, you will develop and leverage external technology networks to identify and deliver strategic partnerships with global start-ups and Fortune 500 companies to fuel Ecolab growth as a technology leader. As a dynamic leader with a successful track record of technology centric strategy planning, commercial development and opportunity scouting for disruptive technologies and partnership execution, you will play a key role in helping the business to deliver on their objectives by introducing new technologies that align with business growth strategies and create new market opportunities.
Location: Eagan, Minnesota
What You Will Do:
Technology Strategy Development & Planning: Identify key drivers of sustainable advantages from a technology perspective to emerging areas for Ecolab businesses; Evaluate the impact of strategic decisions on the value chain and oversee the implementation of strategic initiatives; Develop a prioritized plan that aligns with the overall business strategy
Technology Acumen: Understand competitive technology landscapes and associated product technology stacks; Co-ordinate technology diligence on external opportunities with associated internal subject matter experts and secure buy-in from business R&D leaders
Understanding Business Context: Develop and implement business cases for projects and initiatives; Influence business stakeholder decision-making in functional areas; Align strategies, initiatives, and projects with business objectives
Partnership Development: Develop and leverage external technology networks in identifying and successfully executing partnerships with global start-ups, Fortune 500 companies, etc. that could address Ecolab's strategic needs; Sponsor and lead key community outreach and involvement initiatives
Scouting / Deal Development: Maintain regular interface with Ecolab venture capital partners to identify leading start ups and bring in new technologies that align with business growth strategies and create new market opportunities
Present to senior leadership (including C-suite) to influence and secure partnership approvals
Collaborate with R&D teams to run a robust technical diligence plan and additionally work with Marketing and Finance to develop business case needed to justify partnership (market sizing, business models, forecasts, cash flows, etc.)
Develop comprehensive partnership/deal strategy based on mutual must haves; partner with Law to develop right collaboration structure (term sheets to ensure early alignment) and negotiate definitive agreement (with business support)
Minimum Qualifications:
BS and 10+ years experience working (1.) at a multinational company in a technology strategy or strategic marketing role, and/or (2.) at or with venture capital (VC)/consulting firms building investment or partnership strategy, and/or (3.) in technology focused-business development roles working on Open Innovation activities, with responsibility for driving new innovations and growth strategy development
Experience presenting to senior leadership, with demonstrated ability to engage and influence to secure partnership approvals
Preferred Qualifications:
Willing to travel to build connections
Experience in the hospitality arena (restaurants, lodging, food retail)
Excellent communication skills, with an ability to influence at all levels, internally and externally, including vision, mission and rationale
Strong relationship building skills with demonstrated ability to develop, build and foster trust with target partners and their management team/investors
Demonstrated ability to deal with high levels of technology disruption in spaces like digital, IoT, advanced chemistries, etc
Solid track record as an agent of change
Strategic and systems thinking with the ability to connect the dots between identified targets and Ecolab business/technical needs
Strong collaboration, including close partnership with technical, marketing and commercial teams to think creatively in assessing external opportunities
Capacity for independent and creative thought on technology rich inorganic opportunities that enable getting into new markets and establishing new business models
Sound judgement to take calculated risks for long-term value creation
Strong business and financial acumen with strong analytical skills needed to build/understand financial models
MS in Engineering/Science or Master's in Business Administration (MBA)
Benefits
Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families. to see our benefits.
If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here.
Covid-19 Vaccine Notice
Due to local mandates and customer requirements, applicants for certain customer-facing positions must be fully vaccinated (which in some situations requires a booster if eligible), unless a religious or medical accommodation is requested by the applicant and approved by Ecolab.
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