Chief Innovation Officer (CInO)

Job Title: Chief Innovation Officer (CInO) Role Summary The Chief Innovation Officer is responsible for driving enterprise-wide innovation, identifying new growth opportunities, and fostering a culture of experimentation. This role leads the development of new products, services, business models, and partnerships to ensure long-term competitiveness and market differentiation. Key Responsibilities 1. Innovation Strategy & Vision Define and execute the organization's innovation strategy aligned with business goals Identify emerging trends, technologies, and market disruptions Advise executive leadership on future growth opportunities 2. New Product & Business Model Development Lead ideation, incubation, and scaling of new products, services, and ventures Explore new revenue streams, including digital and platform-based models Drive concept validation through pilots, MVPs, and rapid experimentation 3. Innovation Programs & Labs Establish and manage innovation labs, accelerators, and incubators Implement structured innovation frameworks (design thinking, lean startup) Run hackathons, innovation challenges, and internal idea programs 4. Emerging Technology & Partnerships Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies (AI, blockchain, IoT, etc.) Build partnerships with startups, universities, and technology providers Lead corporate venture and open innovation initiatives 5. Culture & Change Management Foster a culture of innovation, agility, and experimentation Promote cross-functional collaboration and idea sharing Drive organizational change toward a growth and innovation mindset 6. Portfolio Management & Governance Manage innovation portfolio, prioritization, and funding allocation Track KPIs such as ROI, time-to-market, and innovation pipeline health Ensure alignment with enterprise strategy and risk frameworks 7. Commercialization & Scaling Transition successful pilots into scalable business solutions Work with product, technology, and business teams to operationalize innovations Measure and communicate business impact of innovation initiatives Qualifications & Experience Bachelor's degree in Business, Technology, Engineering, or related field (MBA preferred) 15–20+ years of experience in innovation, strategy, product, or technology leadership Proven track record of launching new products or business models Experience working with startups, ecosystems, or venture initiatives Strong understanding of digital technologies and market trends Key Competencies Strategic and forward-thinking mindset Creativity and problem-solving ability Strong business and commercial acumen Leadership and influence across functions Ability to drive change and cultural transformation