Manager, Innovation & Partnerships

JOB PURPOSE:

The Manager, Innovation & Partnerships is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and delivering innovative initiatives and strategic partnerships that enhance retail fuel, convenience, and mobility experiences. The role drives the execution of digital, AI, and technology-enabled solutions that create measurable customer value and commercial impact. It serves as a bridge between business, technology, and external partners to accelerate innovation adoption while ensuring scalability, governance, and return on investment.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Innovation Strategy & Program Delivery

• Support the development and execution of the innovation roadmap aligned with customer experience, retail growth, and digital transformation priorities.
• Identify, assess, and prioritize emerging technologies including AI, automation, robotics, and digital platforms relevant to retail and mobility.
• Translate innovation opportunities into structured initiatives with clear objectives, milestones, and success measures.
• Lead pilot programs and proofs of concept, ensuring timely execution and evidence-based evaluation of outcomes.
• Support scaling of successful innovations into operationally viable and commercially sustainable solutions.

AI & Digital Enablement

• Drive the deployment of AI enabled use cases that enhance customer engagement, personalization, and operational efficiency.
• Work closely with IT and data teams to ensure AI solutions are secure, compliant, and aligned with enterprise architecture.
• Support the establishment of AI governance frameworks covering prioritization, risk, ethics, and performance tracking.
• Monitor AI performance metrics to ensure measurable business and customer impact.
• Promote AI literacy and adoption across business functions through structured engagement and enablement.

Strategic Partnerships Management

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard strategic technology, digital, and innovation partners aligned with business needs.
• Manage end to end partnership lifecycle including due diligence, commercial alignment, onboarding, and performance review.
• Act as the primary business interface with partners, vendors, and innovation ecosystems.
• Ensure partnership initiatives are fully aligned with internal stakeholders and operational capabilities.
• Track partnership performance and value realization against defined commercial and strategic objectives.

Retail Media & Data Monetization Enablement

• Support the development and execution of retail media and data monetization initiatives across physical and digital assets.
• Collaborate with marketing and commercial teams to define monetization use cases and partner engagement models.
• Assist in managing relationships with advertising platforms, media partners, and data vendors.
• Monitor campaign and platform performance to optimize revenue generation and customer relevance.
• Ensure data monetization initiatives comply with data governance, privacy, and regulatory requirements.

Business Case Development & Value Realization

• Develop detailed business cases for innovation and partnership initiatives, including cost, benefits, and risk assessments.
• Secure cross functional input and alignment to ensure feasibility and executive buy in.
• Track financial and non financial benefits realization post implementation.
• Provide structured reporting on innovation performance, ROI, and strategic impact.
• Continuously refine initiatives based on performance insights and evolving business priorities.

Team Collaboration & Governance

• Contribute to the development of innovation standards, processes, and governance frameworks.
• Support knowledge sharing and best practice adoption across innovation initiatives.
• Coach and guide junior team members and project contributors as required.
• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, procurement standards, and risk management requirements.
• Represent the innovation function in cross functional forums, reviews, and steering committees.

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal

• Marketing group
• Digital Division
• Retail Operations
• Finance Division

External

• Technology and AI Solution Providers
• Innovation Labs, Start-ups, and Accelerators
• Strategic Digital and Media Partners
• Consultants and Industry Experts
• Advertising and Retail Media Platforms

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering / STEM, Business, Technology Management, Information Systems, or a related field.
• MBA or postgraduate qualification in Innovation, Strategy, or Digital Transformation is preferred.

Minimum Experience & Knowledge & Skills

• 12 years of experience in innovation management, digital transformation, partnerships, or related roles.
• Proven experience delivering innovation initiatives within complex, enterprise environments.
• Experience in retail, energy, mobility, or consumer facing industries is highly desirable.
• Extensive experience leading complex digital transformation programs
• Proven experience leading, developing, and managing high performing, multidisciplinary teams