Role Overview

TheSenior Leader – Open Innovation and Strategic Allianceswill play a critical role in driving external innovation initiatives through partnerships with startups, research institutions, and ecosystem collaborators across the UK and Europe. The position requires a blend of strategic vision and operational execution to identify emerging technologies, foster collaborations, and deliver innovative solutions that align with HCL Software’s global business goals. This role will also focus on integrating cutting-edge research and innovations into the company’s product and service portfolios.

---

Key Responsibilities

1. Drive Open Innovation Programs

Establish strong relationships with startups, accelerators, venture capital firms, and innovation hubs across the UK and Europe.

Design and execute open innovation initiatives such as hackathons, co-creation programs, and proof-of-concept collaborations with startups.

Act as a liaison between internal product teams and external innovation ecosystems to identify and integrate transformative technologies.

2. Develop Strategic Partnerships

Build partnerships with technology providers, hyperscalers, and industry leaders to enhance HCL Software’s capabilities in AI, IoT, cloud computing, and other emerging domains.

Negotiate and manage long-term strategic alliances that create value for both HCL and its partners.

Collaborate with external stakeholders to identify mutual growth opportunities and co-develop innovative solutions.

3. Collaborate on R&D Initiatives

Partner with top-tier universities and research institutions in the UK and Europe to explore new technologies and solutions.

Manage joint research and development projects focused on cutting-edge areas such as autonomous systems, edge computing, and privacy-preserving technologies.

Ensure research outcomes are transitioned into scalable product features or operational improvements.

4. Support Technology Scouting and Investments

Identify high-potential startups and niche technology providers for strategic collaboration or investment.

Conduct thorough evaluations of emerging technologies and their potential impact onHCL Software’s offerings.

Provide insights and recommendations to corporate development teams regarding technology investments or acquisitions.

5. Enable Internal Innovation

Work closely with product and engineering teams to prioritize the integration of externally sourced technologies.

Provide insights into regional technology trends and customer needs to guide product development strategies.

Align internal innovation efforts with global market opportunities and emerging regulatory requirements.

6. Represent HCL in the UK and European Ecosystem

Attend and represent HCL Software’s at conferences, innovation forums, and industry summits in the UK and Europe.

Publish thought leadership articles, white papers, and case studies to showcase HCL Software’s innovation capabilities.

Facilitate internal workshops and training sessions to promote a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a similar discipline.

Experience:

Over 8 years of experience in open innovation, strategic partnerships, or technology scouting roles, Proven track record of fostering collaborations with startups, accelerators, and research institutions and experience in managing external partnerships and evaluating technology investments.

Skills:

• Strong understanding of emerging technologies, including Quantum computing, AI, IoT, cloud computing, and edge computing.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive results in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Familiarity with European data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR) and their implications for technology adoption.

Candidate Data Privacy Notice

https://www.hcltech.com/candidate-privacy-notice