Head of Innovation Delivery & Business Intelligence (f/m/d)

We are seeking to recruit a Head of Innovation Delivery and Business Intelligence (f/m/d) for our Global Research & Development and Innovation (GRDI) department.

The Head of Innovation Delivery and Business Intelligence plays a central role in shaping, steering, and accelerating Heidelberg Materials’ Group Innovation Strategy. The position is accountable for translating strategic priorities into disciplined execution across a portfolio of high impact innovation initiatives, spanning short-, mid-, and long- term market horizons.

This is a leadership role suited for a professional with a strong strategic mindset and hands‑on delivery experience, who has experience at the intersection of innovation, analytics, and complex stakeholder environments. It combines portfolio management, insight generation, and organizational influence, with direct exposure to Group leadership and external partners.

In this position you lead a team of 4–8 professionals, including oversight of startup and ecosystem engagements, and act as a trusted partner to Senior Leaders across R&D, Innovation, Operations, and Corporate functions.

The position is based in Leimen, near our headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, and reports to the position Vice President of Global R&D and Innovation.

YOUR NEXT CHALLENGE

Innovation Portfolio Leadership & Execution

• Lead and steer the Group Innovation portfolio across short-, mid-, and long- term market horizons, ensuring alignment with the Group Innovation Strategy

• Provide fact-based decision support for innovation initiatives leveraging market, regulatory, supply chain, and IP insights and proactively disseminate relevant insights across the Group

• Ensure disciplined execution of innovation initiatives, including timely delivery and clear accountability

• Drive portfolio prioritization and resource allocation through structured review and decision cycles

• Enable efficient collaboration across internal and external stakeholders and deliver concise, decision relevant updates to senior management

Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead and develop a team of 4–8 professionals, fostering a performance oriented and collaborative culture

• Set priorities, coach structured problem-solving and ensure capability building aligned with future needs

Startup & Ecosystem Engagement

• Oversee startup collaborations and innovation ecosystem partnerships, ensuring strategic fit, scalability, and business impact

• Collaborate with startups, technology and service providers, academic partners, and domain experts to identify opportunities, manage risks, and enable knowledge transfer

• Maintain an insight on significant developments within the sector, and disseminate knowledge within the Group in a timely manner

Innovation Culture & External Representation

• Strengthen the organization’s innovation culture through high-visibility initiatives such as innovation challenges and hackathons

• Represent Heidelberg Materials in relevant industry forums and associations, coordinating closely with internal stakeholders

Governance & Financial Oversight

• Own and continuously evolve a robust performance and governance framework for R&D and innovation initiatives

• Lead requirements related to research grants, public funding and other financial incentives, including R&D tax schemes

• Design, maintain, and refine best‑in‑class reporting tools and dashboards for innovation projects, covering resource allocation, budgets, spend tracking, and personnel time

• Oversee contractual topics, including IP management and competition law

YOUR PROFILE

• University degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Innovation, Engineering, Science or related field; advanced degree to be considered most positively

• Proven experience in innovation management, strategy execution, or complex project delivery, organizational planning, ideally in a corporate or consulting environment; experience with using state-of-the-art digital tools for innovation management will be seen as a plus

• Demonstrated ability to translate market signals, technical insights, and operational complexity into strategic decisions and an innovation portfolio

• Outstanding stakeholder management and influencing skills, with confidence engaging senior executives and leaders across diverse functions

• High analytical rigor combined with a bias for impact and action

• Proven ability to work fluently in English, additional languages are an advantage

• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex topics clearly to diverse audiences

• Comfortable navigating complex, ambiguous environments and aligning multiple interests across regions and functions

• Willingness to travel internationally (approximately 5-10%)

OUR OFFER 

We are convinced that only those who successfully realize their personal goals can also fully contribute professionally. That's why we offer you attractive benefits, such as: 

• Flexible working time models with up to 50% remote working within Germany 

• 30 vacation days plus additional special vacation days 

• Attractive compensation with profit share/bonus, Christmas, and vacation payment 

• Multiple learning & development options: support of job-related further training, various technical and leadership development program 

• JobTicket, JobBike and further special conditions and discounts for e.g., gyms 

• Company fitness room, various sports classes, health, and prevention campaigns 

• Individual onboarding with buddy program as well as various networking initiatives (Network of Women, International Network etc.)

• Modern office building in Leimen, close to vineyards, featuring ergonomic desks and height‑adjustable workstations

• Subsidized on‑site canteen offering a variety of meal options

• Free on‑site parking for cars and bicycles, with charging options available

... and much more.