04.04.2011
Enterprise Incubator Foundation
TITLE: Microsoft Innovation Center (MIC) Innovation Manager
LOCATION: Yerevan, Armenia
JOB DESCRIPTION: N/A
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
The role holder will be responsible for implementation of the MIC’s innovation activities and must work across the ICT sector in Armenia to get sustainable results from the MIC’s cross-sectoral cooperation. In addition, the role holder must be able to work effectively with current and potential MIC stakeholders. He or she must take a holistic view of MIC projects and be able to truly manage the end to end process encompassing all elements of the innovation cycle from idea generation to product development and testing and access to markets. A key part of this role is to ensure that creative excellence, disciplined project leadership and management are balanced in crafting new business opportunities and brands resulting in creation of new start ups in the ICT sphere.
The Innovation Manager will be responsible for identification, development and promotion of new ICT products, technologies and applications in Armenia and abroad. More specifically, Innovation Manager functions will include:
- Coordination of development and implementation of MIC’s Innovation/Business Strategy in close consultation with MIC staff, partners, and stakeholder;
- Identification and delivery of strategic, scalable and sustainable ideas to ensure MIC sustainability;
- Identification of and engagement with potential and existing MIC clients and beneficiaries, including representatives from various sectors of the Armenian economy, businesses, students, government, NGOs, etc.;
- Organization and conduct of innovation contests and idea generation competitions;
- Organization of regular sectoral discussions resulting in generation of new viable ideas that have a potential of becoming a demanded product in the market;
- Work with key MIC stakeholders to ensure engagement leading to project delivery;
- Generation of powerful innovation concepts based on deep consumer insight against an agreed innovation strategy and which are commercially and financially viable;
- Identification of commercialization potential of MIC-supported products and technologies and guidance to the development teams in project implementation;
- Delivery of clear market plans and leadership in testing and commercialization efforts of MIC-supported products; and
- Performance of other duties as assigned by MIC Project Manager.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Masters degree in areas of Business Administration, Marketing or equivalent is required.
Prior Work Experience and Knowledge: Successful candidates will have a significant level of IT, innovation and marketing experience. Familiarity with business planning and programming procedures, as well as project management principles is a must. Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in working with the private sector is also required. More specifically, the applicant must have demonstrated skills and knowledge in the following areas:
- Strategic penetration – use of analytical skills and intuition to generate strategies that deliver focused growth driving innovations.
- Knowledge of the Armenian IT industry – understands industry development trends, key players, and initiatives; knowledge of IT-specific strategies and programs in Armenia is also required.
- Market insight – identifies most powerful consumer opportunities and ensures penetrative consumer understanding and insights are applied to unlock most powerful innovation ideas.
- Project management – delivers high quality results through deployment of effective and efficient management approaches.
- Innovation judgment – understands the impact of MIC\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s innovation output by using clearly defined logical criteria balanced with instinct/intuition to judge and express in a compelling way all elements of an innovation idea.
- Commerciality – uses sound financial understanding to build innovation ideas whilst balancing commercial, customer and consumer motivations to deliver outstanding results.
- Motivating and inspiring MIC partners, beneficiaries and stakeholders – understands what drives and motivates MIC teams and constantly strives to build great relationships by breaking down barriers to performance.
Language Proficiency: Fluent English, Armenian and Russian is required.
Skills and Abilities: Excellent written and oral communication skills are required. The applicant should have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work effectively and collaboratively in teams. While word and data processing skills are required, familiarity with a variety of computer programs and applications will be very useful.
REMUNERATION/ SALARY: Competitive, based on work experience and educational background.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES: To apply for this position, please submit the following:
- A cover letter addressing with specificity the applicant’s professional experience that makes him/her best suited for the position;
- A CV or Resume that lists the applicant’s educational background and provides a detailed summary of the applicant’s professional experience and relevant qualifications for the job.
The above information should be sent to: [email protected]. Please mention in the subject field your name and the name of the position for which you are applying.
No personal visits or phone calls, please. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified for the interview.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 18 April 2011
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Innovation Manager for Microsoft Innovation Center 
