Inventing Director

Description

We Are:

Innovators who ask and answer the ?What If! questions that help organisations imagine new futures and make them a reality. We have been ‘doing’ innovation for the past 25+ years, working with Fortune 500 clients across sectors. We use an experimentation-led approach to define the strategy, create the inventions and change the culture to turn organisations into human powered experimentation engines. Our values are embedded in our DNA and inform all of our decision making, not the least of which is recruitment. If this sounds like you, please apply! Never stop asking ?What If!

You Are:

A Senior Innovation Leader who will work to unlock new opportunities for ?What If! within the Accenture network and local market. Building relationships to sell larger, more connected projects, our Directors are responsible for driving client agendas – spotting and unlocking opportunities whilst maintaining high level strategic output. They are passionate about cracking innovation problems which stem from real human problems, provoking clients to experiment to de-risk growth. Directors work to build the team, recruiting and nurturing talent, as well as working to collaborate on projects to create a deeper pool of talent.

The Work:

Directors set the tone for the business – leading the strategic agenda for our clients and the vision of success for our teams. Most critically they are our commercial engine, selling competently across our offer. They fill our pipeline whether through provoking clients in their role as trusted advisor or in pushing their team’s thinking to be audacious and impactful so it always leads to follow-on. They also take a critical role in leading our business – whether around developing our offer, creation of POVs, leading our cohorts and now integration with Accenture.

Knowledge and IP

• Ability to sell a point of view, not just have one

• Happy, comfortable and successful working in an iterative way, without a heavy reliance on standard process

• Encourages project team to try new things (through their own actions)

• Ability to redirect and course correct a project as needed

• Generates new ideas, process and structures to help us grow

• Go beyond smart strategy documents to develop real-world solutions positioned for growth

• Great story teller – collects, creates and shares stories (own and ?!)

• Razor sharp insight intuition and quick discrimination of insight and ideas

• Ability to be an intellectual juggler and operate on multiple levels on a project and on the inventing team considering the past, the task at hand and incorporating their knowledge of organisation, people, politics, etc

• Experienced and confident in designing day plans, setting up and leading workshops, moderating consumers, using stimulus and managing the necessary quantity and quality of ideas.

People

• Motivates and inspires teams

• Helps develop the skills of the people around them (on project and beyond)

• Can make tough calls and have tough conversations with clients and ?!

• Attracts talent, works to recruit, on-board and develop them

• Ability to clearly see business opportunities and articulate them convincingly

• Is diplomatic but firm (embodies appropriate levels of bravery)

• Can manage their own energy and others and brings passion to their work

Clients

• Writes and owns the POV and approach for new business pitches and proposals

• Creates, leads and grows long lasting client relationships, overseeing the client portfolio, unlocking new opportunities and ensuring high quality output

• Owns day-today project needs and client management

• Manages senior clients plus any big issues throughout their projects

Money

• Can scope and cost a project accurately and in the moment

• Understands and oversees revenue management

• Delivers against their set annual new business targets

• Ensures they and their teams are working profitably

Culture within Cultures

• Builds relationships to unlock new opportunities for ?What If! within Accenture

• Can collaborate with agencies/ teams in the wider Accenture network to build bigger, more connected projects

• Spots opportunities for project teams within Accenture

Requirements

Here’s what you need: 

• Minimum 10 years business experience in strategic consulting, growth focused work, insight, branding, and/or innovation experience as well as a track record for developing new products, services and solutions to business problems. 
• You are a natural Leader, you possess the demeanour, business maturity, intellect and integrity required to establish immediate credibility with key stakeholders within the company.
• At least 4 years’ experience building client relationships across all levels, being a trusted advisor and shaping C Suites agenda, to inspire the whole team.
• At least 3 years’ proven track record of selling big projects or large-scale programs.
• Minimum 2 years working in China.

Bonus points if:

• You are an idea generator comfortable working in an iterative way.
• You are comfortable leading innovation initiatives, including expertise in design thinking, consumer insight and user experience in both corporate and consulting environments.
• You are united by our 5 core values - Adventure, Impact, Passion, Love & Audacity and these come across in every project we produce as well as everyone we recruit. 

Benefits

Never stop asking ?What If?