GLOBAL RESEARCH & INNOVATION SOFTWARE VP

Ready to take on meaningful challenges and shape the next generation of mobility?

Joining OPmobility means stepping into a global group with a purpose to keep people and goods moving safely, smarter, and sustainably everywhere.

Position Details:

- Job Title: Global Research & Innovation Software VP

- Location: United States

- Scope: Global

MISSION

Lead OPmobility's Advanced Innovation strategy and New Business Labs ecosystem to identify, validate and accelerate new growth opportunities, emerging technologies and disruptive business models supporting the Group's long-term strategic ambitions.

Drive innovation governance, technology road mapping, open innovation initiatives and innovation portfolio management, while ensuring strong alignment with Business Groups and corporate strategy.

Responsibilities & Activities

Innovation Strategy

• Define and continuously update the Group Innovation Strategy.

• Develop, maintain and release the Product Technology Roadmap.

• Identify strategic technology domains and future growth opportunities.

• Translate market, societal and technology trends into innovation priorities.

New Business Development

• Lead the New Business Labs framework across regions.

• Explore opportunities beyond traditional automotive markets.

• Structure and manage innovation opportunity portfolios.

• Support creation of new business models and adjacent growth opportunities.

Open Innovation & Ecosystem Management

• Build partnerships with startups, universities, research centers, venture capital firms and innovation networks.

• Lead technology scouting activities.

• Develop collaborative innovation programs and proof-of-concept initiatives.

• Maximize value from strategic memberships and innovation ecosystems.

• Organize internal and external innovation events to create visibility of groups innovation activities.

Innovation Portfolio Management

• Govern the Innovation Pipeline.

• Manage project gate reviews and investment decisions.

• Monitor innovation KPIs and portfolio performance.

• Ensure proper resource allocation and prioritization.

Governance & Stakeholder Management

• Prepare and facilitate Innovation Board reviews.

• Coordinate innovation activities with Business Groups and corporate functions.

• Ensure alignment between innovation programs and Group strategic plan.

• Provide executive reporting to CODIR and Group leadership.

Team Leadership

• Lead Advanced Innovation, Open Innovation and New Business Labs teams.

• Develop innovation competencies across the organization.

• Foster an entrepreneurial and experimentation mindset.

• Build a strong global innovation community.

PROFILE REQUIREMENTS

Personal Background

- Master's degree in Engineering, Technology, Innovation Management, Business Administration or equivalent.

- Advanced degree (MBA, Executive MBA, MSc, PhD) highly valued.

- Strong understanding of emerging technologies, industrial systems and business strategy

- 15+ years of progressive experience in Innovation, R&D, Technology Strategy, Product Development or Business Development.

- Proven experience leading innovation portfolios within an international industrial environment

Job Technical skills

• Innovation Management

• Open Innovation

• Technology Scouting

• Venture & Startup Ecosystem

• Portfolio Management

• Product Technology Roadmapping

• Business Model Innovation

• Strategic Planning

• Design Thinking

• Emerging Technologies Assessment

Job Soft skills

• Strategic Vision

• Influence and Stakeholder Management

• Entrepreneurship

• Systems Thinking

• Complexity Management

• Cross-functional Collaboration

• Change Leadership

• Executive Communication

At OPmobility, people truly matter. We are committed to building inclusive teams, promoting diversity and equality, and ensuring that every application is considered fairly - because the future of mobility is built by diverse perspectives, bold ideas, and people who dare to move forward.

Innovation is therefore not a buzzword, but a natural part of everyday work. You’ll grow in an international environment where cutting-edge technologies, industrial excellence, and real-world impact come together to tackle the challenges of tomorrow’s automotive industry.

Founded in 1946 by Pierre Burelle, OPmobility, known until 2024 as Plastic Omnium, has transformed itself into a player in sustainable and connected mobility. Today, OPmobility develops technological solutions across four areas of expertise: exterior and lighting systems, the integration of complex modules, technologies related to energy storage, hydrogen and electrification, and a division dedicated to the development of embedded software and digital solutions.

With €11.5 billion in revenue in 2025, 152 factories, 40 R&D centers, and nearly 38,100 employees across 28 countries, OPmobility combines global scale with local impact. All driven by a shared ambition to accelerate the automotive energy transition.