Role OverviewThe Senior Leader – Open Innovation andStrategic Alliances will play a critical role in driving externalinnovation initiatives through partnerships with startups, researchinstitutions, and ecosystem collaborators across the UK and Europe.The position requires a blend of strategic vision and operationalexecution to identify emerging technologies, foster collaborations,and deliver innovative solutions that align with HCL Software’sglobal business goals. This role will also focus on integratingcutting-edge research and innovations into the company’s productand service portfolios.---Key Responsibilities1. Drive OpenInnovation ProgramsEstablish strong relationships with startups,accelerators, venture capital firms, and innovation hubs across theUK and Europe.Design and execute open innovation initiatives suchas hackathons, co-creation programs, and proof-of-conceptcollaborations with startups.Act as a liaison between internalproduct teams and external innovation ecosystems to identify andintegrate transformative technologies.2. Develop StrategicPartnershipsBuild partnerships with technology providers,hyperscalers, and industry leaders to enhance HCL Software’scapabilities in AI, IoT, cloud computing, and other emergingdomains.Negotiate and manage long-term strategic alliances thatcreate value for both HCL and its partners.Collaborate withexternal stakeholders to identify mutual growth opportunities andco-develop innovative solutions.3. Collaborate on R&DInitiativesPartner with top-tier universities and researchinstitutions in the UK and Europe to explore new technologies andsolutions.Manage joint research and development projects focused oncutting-edge areas such as autonomous systems, edge computing, andprivacy-preserving technologies.Ensure research outcomes aretransitioned into scalable product features or operationalimprovements. 4. Support Technology Scouting andInvestmentsIdentify high-potential startups and niche technologyproviders for strategic collaboration or investment.Conductthorough evaluations of emerging technologies and their potentialimpact onHCL Software’s offerings.Provide insights andrecommendations to corporate development teams regarding technologyinvestments or acquisitions.5. Enable Internal InnovationWorkclosely with product and engineering teams to prioritize theintegration of externally sourced technologies.Provide insightsinto regional technology trends and customer needs to guide productdevelopment strategies.Align internal innovation efforts withglobal market opportunities and emerging regulatory requirements.6.Represent HCL in the UK and European EcosystemAttend and representHCL Software’s at conferences, innovation forums, and industrysummits in the UK and Europe.Publish thought leadership articles,white papers, and case studies to showcase HCL Software’sinnovation capabilities.Facilitate internal workshops and trainingsessions to promote a culture of collaboration andinnovation.QualificationsMaster’s degree in Information Technology,Engineering, Business, or a related field.Bachelor’s degree inComputer Science, Engineering, or a similar discipline.Experience:Over 8 years of experience in open innovation, strategicpartnerships, or technology scouting roles, Proven track record offostering collaborations with startups, accelerators, and researchinstitutions and experience in managing external partnerships andevaluating technology investments.Skills:Strong understanding ofemerging technologies, including Quantum computing, AI, IoT, cloudcomputing, and edge computing.Exceptional negotiation,communication, and relationship management skills.Demonstratedability to lead cross-functional teams and drive results incomplex, multi-stakeholder environments.Familiarity with Europeandata privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR) and their implications fortechnology adoption.Candidate Data PrivacyNoticehttps://www.hcltech.com/candidate-privacy-notice
