Lead, Innovation

Lead Innovation

Location: Various locations

Employment Type: Full Time

Department: Executive Office

Position: Executive General

**Position summary:** At the Rainforest Alliance, we are looking for an Innovation Lead. An innovator who seeks and develops ideas, handles innovation projects, and creates structures and processes for innovation at the Rainforest Alliance. The Innovation Lead is a promoter, especially in the field of culture change, working to persuade and disseminate knowledge of innovation. The Innovation team at the Rainforest Alliance has two main responsibilities:

1. Developing and testing new value propositions and business models for large-scale impact 3-5 years from now.
2. Overseeing and supporting the organization-wide portfolio of new offerings.

The Innovation Lead is responsible for leading exploration, ideation, concept development, and prototyping of new value propositions and business models for the Rainforest Alliance. This position focuses on innovations that make RA's work more relevant and attractive to companies, brands, and retailers, building trust in the RA brand and exploring new ways to engage consumers.

**Responsibilities:**

• Lead exploration and ideation by searching for opportunities for innovation, scouting for technologies, start-ups, and partnerships.
• Develop new partnerships and coalitions to achieve innovative business models.
• Lead cross-functional programs and projects to develop, prototype, and test innovation concepts.
• Ensure concepts are adopted and integrated by the business.
• Prioritize and drive ideas through the innovation funnel, manage stakeholders, and prepare for stage gate decisions.
• Influence strategic direction for innovation.

**Qualifications:**

• BA or MA Degree in a relevant field (e.g., Innovation Management, Business, Service Design, International Development, Supply Chain Management, Economics).
• At least 10 years of work experience in Business Innovation, preferably in an international context.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a proven track record in developing and launching new lines of business.
• Good understanding of trends and innovation in environmental sustainability and social impact.
• Strategic and analytical thinker with hands-on mentality.
• Strong organizational skills, interpersonal skills, and experience in design thinking, prototyping, and agile ways of working.
• Proficiency in English; French and/or Spanish is a plus.
• Willingness and ability to travel.

**Job Level: 2 Salary:** Commensurate with experience **Deadline:** May 5th, 2024

*Notes:* Only candidates authorized to work in the Netherlands, Kenya, India, Mexico, and Brazil will be considered. If you have any questions about the job vacancy, please contact the HR department at recruitment@ra.org.

The Rainforest Alliance is creating a more sustainable world by using social and market forces to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities. Our alliance spans 70 countries and includes farmers, forest communities, companies, governments, civil society, and millions of individuals. Together, we work to protect forests and biodiversity, take action on climate, and promote the rights and improve the livelihoods of rural people.

As an international non-profit organization with over 30 years of experience in sustainability transformation, we understand the connection between the well-being of rural communities and ecosystem health. At the Rainforest Alliance, we combat climate change, protect forests and biodiversity, promote human rights, and improve livelihoods.

The enormity of the social and environmental challenges we face requires a broad alliance working together. That's why we bring farmers, forest communities, companies, and consumers together to change the way the world produces, sources, and consumes.

*Why?* To protect nature and improve lives, we need to change how businesses operate, source, and how consumers make choices. Our alliance aims to transform our relationship with natural resources and each other to create a better future for people and nature.

The Rainforest Alliance encourages diversity and inclusion across the organization. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected group.