Robotics Lead (senior role)

Consultz is supporting our client a well-renowned Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) in the region in their search for a Robotics Lead to drive the groups robotics innovation and adoption agenda by combining advanced technical expertise and strategic foresight. The ideal candidate will possess active and influential connections within the worlds leading robotics and AI ecosystemsincluding premier labs academic institutions startups and technology firms across innovation hubs such as Silicon Valley Europe MENA and Asia. They will actively engage with robotics clusters research alliances and technology leaders leveraging a global network to foster cross-border collaborations and drive impactful growth strategies in alignment with frontier innovation goals and international best practices.

Key Responsibilities

Drive the identification evaluation and integration of disruptive robotics technologies into actionable strategies scalable pilots and industry-leading roadmaps that maximize productivity resilience and competitiveness. Act as a critical conduitbridging research market intelligence and commercializationlinking the companys global robotics ecosystem with its diverse portfolio companies.

Robotics Strategy & Roadmap Development

• Define and continuously evolve the robotics vision strategy and multi-year roadmapintegrating adoption frameworks aligned to priority sectors and national innovation ambitions.
• Identify evaluate and prioritize high-impact robotics initiatives across portfolio companies.
• Develop and institutionalize detailed playbooks and maturity models to support exploration pilot programs and large-scale deployment.
• Ensure alignment between robotics and broader organizational digital transformation strategies.

Technology Scouting Evaluation & Experimentation

• Lead global scouting and technical due diligence on emerging robotics technologies startups and research covering industrial automation service robotics mobile/AI-enabled systems and humanrobot collaboration.
• Map vendors benchmark solutions and assess readiness integration and commercial feasibility.
• Shape and oversee proof-of-concept and pilot programs with internal and external partners.
• Translate complex technical insights into clear recommendations and investment cases for executive decision-making.

Robotics Ecosystem & Partnership Development

• Build and nurture a global robotics ecosystem including startups corporates research labs and academia.
• Design and manage strategic partnerships joint research and commercialization frameworks to drive robotics ambition and impactful business outcomes within the portfolio.

Cross-Portfolio Enablement & Advisory

• Advise portfolio companies on strategy formulation technology selection implementation and scaling of robotics solutions.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer cross-sector collaboration and shared learning.
• Support investment and build-vs-buy decisions through rigorous technoeconomic assessments.

Thought Leadership & Horizon Scanning

• Generate actionable market and technology intelligence for robotics automation and related AI domains.
• Lead horizon scanning and scenario planning producing high-impact reports and contributions to the groups thought leadership platforms.

Outcome Orientation & Delivery

• Translate strategy into measurable business-aligned outcomes for robotics initiatives.
• Monitor KPIs ROI and capability-building metrics.
• Operate with agility and discipline in a dynamic multi-stakeholder global context.

Requirements

Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum of 15 years progressive experience in robotics industrial automation or technology leadership roles ideally including innovation R&D and digital transformation in large organizations or deep-tech ecosystems.
• Bachelors degree in Robotics AI Mechatronics Electrical/Mechanical Engineering Computer Science or related fields (Masters preferred). MBA or masters/postgraduate qualification in innovation technology management or strategy is highly desirable.
• Robust background bridging technical R&D with commercialization successfully bringing technologies from exploration and piloting to scaled execution.
• Extensive business development experience preferably in i nnovation accelerators corporate venture capital or tech ecosystems.
• Deep knowledge of robotics platformshardware AI integration autonomy sensors controls and perception solutions.
• Proven ability to assess technology maturity integration complexity and scalability.
• Understanding of Industry 4.0 concepts automation architectures digital twin and simulation technologies.
• Ability to synthesize technical inputs into strategic frameworks and commercial opportunities.
• Skilled in developing business cases ecosystem strategies and portfolio ROI assessments.
• Strong executive presence with the capacity to engage and influence C-suite and board-level audiences.
• Demonstrated systems thinking and a collaborative cross-functional approach.
• Effective communicator across technical business and policy domains.
• Strong track record in managing open innovation ecosystemsspanning startups corporates academia and research.
• Skilled in stakeholder management partnership structuring negotiation and intellectual property considerations.
• Ability to build alignment and consensus across diverse teams geographies and cultural contexts.

Global Network

• Active connections within global robotics and AI ecosystemsincluding leading labs academia startups and technology leaders across Silicon Valley Europe MENA and Asia.
• Deep expertise in business development partnership management and ecosystem building.