IT Research & Innovation Manager - 28110BR
DESCRIPTION/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provide global IT Research & Innovation leadership for a team that conducts applied research, technology/business model proof of concepts, cross-skill team experiments, and inter-company IT innovation strategy & enablement.
* Lead global team of IT researchers in such diverse areas as Internet of Things, Social Collaboration, Machine Learning/Analytics, Quantum Computing, advanced human/machine interfaces. Includes labs, relationships with advisory partners (Forrester, CEB etc.), venture capitalists and university alliances.
* Create IT technology needs roadmap through business/tech futuring and engagement w/ IT leadership. Establish technology priorities for research, competency/dev, technical competency planning, and experimentation. Integrate this work with Corporate Research led Technology Planning.
* Chartered with creating a culture of innovation across global IT. This includes managing a network of global innovation coaches, supporting idea incubation (through seed funding, design thinking etc.) and creating innovation enablers (virtual & physical labs, idea management tools).
* Conduct monthly IT Research Reviews engaging IT and other skill team leadership.
* Engage other skill teams including Smart Mobility, PD, Marketing, and Mfg for resourcing and execution of technology PoC’s/Experiments.
* Drive innovation within IT and co-partner in driving innovation across Ford.
* Provide the voice of Ford IT Research with external companies, partners, consortiums.
* Collaborate with Ford Corp Research and Technical Advisory Board (TAB) to identify applicable emerging technology requirements. Conduct inter and intra-IT proof of concepts (PoC’s), experiments, and projects leveraging global team resources.
* Establish and execute on IT Research portfolio. Conduct monthly IT Research Reviews where results of research, PoC’s, experiments are presented. Document and publish results as IT Research papers.
* Manage Research portfolio ensuring activities are appropriately funded and staffed.
* Define & sustain Ford IT’s innovation strategy.
* Co-partner w/ Learning & Development in driving Ford’s Innovation journey.
* Influence IT operating model and strategy development work where gaps exist in support for Research/Experimentation/PoC efforts.
* Represent IT in external forums where joint R&A/IT technology research is required including emerging Innovation Factory design.
* Work with key suppliers in terms of feature definition, competitive bidding, management recommendations, project execution, testing, etc.
* Influence and help change policies which inhibit Research/Innovation objectives and activities.
Scope:
* Global IT: Work across all IT organizations in Research related Strategy Formulation and Delivery.
* Global Business: Work with Business partners in all functions to leverage emerging IT tech.
* Intra-company: Act as primary IT Research voice externally. Co-partner in driving Ford’s Innovation journey.
The distance between imagination and … creation. It can be measured in years of innovation, or in moments of brilliance. When you join the Ford team; discover all the benefits, rewards and development opportunities you’d expect from a diverse global leader. You’ll become part of a team that is already leading the way, with ingenious solutions and attainable products - and it is always ready to go further.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Ford Motor Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status.
