Sr Manager - Innovations

As Senior Manager Innovation & Strategy, you will play a pivotal role in shaping Tata Communications innovation and growth agenda. This role demands a forward-thinking strategist who can identify transformative technologies, orchestrate collaborations across the ecosystem, and translate emerging trends into new business opportunities. Youll act as a strategic advisor and innovation catalyst, partnering with business leaders, startups, and external partners to drive ideation, incubation, and commercialization of next-generation capabilities that strengthen Tata Communications market leadership. Key Responsibilities 1. Strategic Foresight & Opportunity Shaping Technology Scanning : Continuously analyze disruptive trends across connectivity, AI, cloud, IoT, edge, cybersecurity, and digital platforms. Opportunity Identification : Spot whitespace areas aligned with corporate strategy and emerging customer needs. Thought Leadership : Develop strategic Points of View (PoVs) and influence senior leadership decisions on technology bets, investments, and partnerships. Market Sensing : Evaluate competitive landscapes and partner ecosystems to inform portfolio direction. 2. Innovation Strategy & Portfolio Execution Incubation Ownership : Lead end-to-end strategy for proof-of-concepts and pilots, from scoping through execution to scale. Commercialization Readiness : Assess market potential, customer validation, and ROI before transitioning projects to business units. Portfolio Governance : Track innovation initiatives against success metrics, ensuring strategic alignment and business impact. 3. Ecosystem Development & Strategic Partnerships Startup Collaboration : Build relationships with startups, accelerators, VCs, and academia to source breakthrough innovations. Partnership Strategy : Identify, evaluate, and structure partnerships that enhance Tata Communications technology capabilities and go-to-market reach. External Representation : Represent Tata Communications in industry forums and innovation networks, positioning the company as a thought leader in next-gen technologies. 4. Internal Enablement & Innovation Culture Innovation Programs : Lead hackathons, challenge programs, and internal accelerators to foster creativity and intrapreneurship. Capability Building : Champion design thinking, lean experimentation, and agile innovation practices across teams. Communication & Influence : Partner with corporate communications to showcase innovation stories that inspire cross-company participation. 5. Business Strategy & Impact Measurement Strategic Advisory : Support high-impact business initiatives, growth strategies, and market entry assessments. Financial Modeling : Build business cases validating market potential, investment requirements, and ROI assumptions. Performance Analytics : Monitor actual outcomes vs. forecasts recommend pivots and optimizations. Who You Are A strategic thinker with a strong grasp of both business strategy and emerging technologies. Experienced in innovation management, venture partnerships, or corporate strategy within tech or telecom sectors. Skilled at navigating ambiguity, driving consensus, and influencing senior stakeholders. Passionate about turning technology foresight into tangible business outcomes. Behaviors & Competencies (DRIVE) Ambiguity Navigator : Thrive in uncertain environments quick to chart a course without full information. Structured Problem Solver : Break down complex challenges, prioritize effectively, and propose creative, data-driven solutions. Cross-Functional Fluency : Comfortable engaging across finance, marketing, product, sales, legal, and operations. Clear Communicator : Articulate ideas succinctly in written and spoken Englishwhether in executive presentations or collaborative workshops. Collaborative Team Player : Build trust, foster non-hierarchical teamwork, and work seamlessly across functions. Relationship Builder : Form professional networks, convene ad-hoc teams, and navigate conflict resolutions. Qualification & experience : (Qualification and exp) MBA with an engineering background having good exposure to technology with a knack for problem solving Prior experience in consulting / strategy roles is not a must but is a value add

Skills Required

innovation strategy , Business Strategy, business case, Financial Modeling, Market Analysis