At Emirates, we believe in connecting the world, to and through, our global hub in Dubai; and in constantly innovating to ensure our customers ‘Fly Better’.
Emirates Group IT thrives on the dynamic nature of technology. Being pioneers in aviation innovation, we're always at the forefront, pushing boundaries. We're on the lookout for exceptional IT professionals to fortify our position as leaders in the industry. Embark on a journey with the world’s largest international airline and become a vital part of our cutting-edge information and technology team as an Innovation Manager.
As an Innovation Manager in the Technology Futures & Innovation team you will drive innovation through research and development activities and leveraging emerging technologies to bring the newest innovations to Emirates group business. Manage and successfully deliver proof of concepts and new business models ideas in close collaboration with business, technology team and partners. You will communicate with internal stakeholders and external communities to create a well rounded innovation idea pipeline which is aligned to group strategic objectives as well as leading the development of innovation prototypes across the innovation channels and coordinate on all cross-functional activities required for taking an idea to portfolio. You will will create and maintain measurable KPIs to ensure a rounded ecosystem is maintained comprising of global and local start-ups, strategic partners, incubators and accelerators.
Join our Technology Futures & Innovation team, where innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Bringing cutting-edge solutions to the products and services we offer has been key to our past success and will drive our future prosperity. Whether you have an interest in robotics, spatial computing, generative AI, or corporate ventures, we invite you to join us on our journey to establish a leading position by building new coalitions. If you are passionate about driving technological advancements and making a significant impact we invite you to apply and help to shape the future of Emirates Group.
In this role you will:
- Deliver Innovation portfolio of projects using agile principles within scope, time and costs. Initiate and manage projects and proof of concept through all stages to ensure that their progress, quality and the outputs in key result areas are consistent with the scope. Define and manage the annual innovation work programme and budgets based on business needs and the ideas portfolio. Provides innovative response to business needs thereby increasing speed, agility and faster turnaround.
- Conduct research on emerging technologies, technology platform explore new Business models in travel and hospitality looking at mega trends for 1 to 3 years, develop and manage upkeep of Innovation Technology Radar , identify next generation tools, frameworks, platforms , research relevant cross industry
innovations and document pertinent whitepapers. Design, research, develop, analyse and suggest new innovation ideas leveraging cutting edge technologies such as, but not limited to, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum computing, next generation architecture etc.
- Create an innovation at scale model by consolidating all the innovation initiatives as part of the Emirates Group innovation. Spread Innovation efforts evenly across EK business units and across business benefits of enhanced Customer experience, positive revenue impact and operational efficiencies. Ensure life cycle governance by integrating the incubation lifecycle of ideation to production based on clear transition from innovation portfolio to delivery portfolio. Create and maintain the Emirates group Innovation at scale operating model, framework and lifecycle.
- Work on defining and detailing problems statements, ideas and pain points and ensure that it is meeting the key criteria for idea on-boarding. Using design thinking methodology conduct ideation sessions to generate most practical or most innovative ones in order to inspire new and better design solutions and products. Work with the Manager IT Innovation for ensuring that all the ideas have business context and business sponsorship for more streamlined process from business idea to production.
- Create an innovation score card for each of the idea and a details Idea on Page (IoaP) detailing the idea, strategic drivers, technology driver and other key attributes for this to be presented to the Innovation board for idea selection. Create closure reports and present it to the Innovation board to share the results and learning and enable them to take a decision on transitioning the project to portfolio.
- Conduct technology hackathons to work on niche business problems or for coming up with new business
ideas. Engage with strategic partners across key locations to bring together talented developers and designers to build new and innovative travel-centric applications. Identify new technology and business idea, business drivers and bring business context, frame lessons, and lead the team towards results.
- Organise key innovation events to get cross Industry thought leaders to discuss strategic themes specific to Emirates group. Conduct Roadshows for developed prototypes, and showcase new technologies to Business and Technology teams to generate interest and to create new pipeline of innovation ideas. Engage with Business heads, Business partners, community of internal developers and communicate with them, provide a create, own and manage technology incubators and inspire IT and Group employees to participate in the introduction and incubation of leading-edge technologies manage dedicated and diverse virtual communities and take responsibility for delivery of solutions during the incubation phase of technology adoption.
- Develop and engage with the Innovation Channels of Start-ups, strategic partners, Universities and incubators for sourcing new ideas, technology and getting ideas delivered. Work closely with partnership team to define the Go to market strategy for innovation partners.
- Work closely with Portfolio, Architecture, Cyber Security and Software engineering on adoption of technology and innovation initiatives and disseminate knowledge on next generation technology ensuring Emirates Group remains at the forefront of technological innovation. Work with the technology business partner and portfolio team for transition of successful innovations into the portfolio and provide technical consulting to the agile team during the project formation stage.
