Innovation Product Manager

Responsibilities:

• Drive innovation products (from innovators on the project) from ideation, conceptualization, and prototyping, through to implementation and launch

• Identify opportunities for new products that promote the Nigerian innovation ecosystem
• Be a champion of project MVPs, distilling the product down to what is desirable, viable, and feasible
• Ensures appropriate partnerships and collaboration with the industry to develop innovations based on market conditions and trends.
• Manages the product portfolio life cycle including development, validation, launch, and execution activities in support of the business strategy.
• Ensures input and supports appropriate iBank applications to meet innovator requirements.
• Provides support to ensure that all innovation product/intellectual property by Project I2M innovators are protected and appropriately defended in the marketplace

Requirements:

• Bachelor in any Discipline is required (a master's degree is an added advantage)
• Related experience including product management/development, product marketing, research & development, operations management, and/or technically relevant roles will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of and experience working with startup ventures, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships, is an asset.
• Ability to develop Intellectual property (IP) strategies, including intellectual property (IP) management, protection, and the implementation of technology licensing protocols.
• Must demonstrate superior communication, interpersonal, influencing, and presentation skills, with the ability to interact with key decision-makers at all levels both innovators and other project stakeholders.
• Must be willing and able to travel domestically.
• Must be innovative, able to inspire others, and discern new and creative approaches to promote the Nigerian innovation ecosystem.
• Excellent writing, communication, and data management skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work collaboratively with members of a complex team, pulling in resources and expertise as needed to address challenges and identify solutions as a team when needed.
• Relevant certifications will be an added advantage
• Be a self-starter and visionary person with strong leadership and self-motivation capabilities
• Have a startup founder mindset and be able to thrive in a dynamic environment, maintaining composure and a positive attitude
• Have excellent written and verbal interpersonal skills, with an ability to communicate with a wide range of team members and job functions –up to executives
• Be passionate about technology and comfortable building business use cases around it
• High proficiency in the use of the MS Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, etc.) Demonstrated commitment to principles of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)
• Fluent English speaker.
• Demonstrated ability to develop excellent, high-level written communication in English.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Project Management
• Effective communicator.