Innovation Account Director
Rainmaking, Netherlands
Job Description
At Rainmaking, our mission is to realise the massive entrepreneurial potential at the crossover between the corporate amp; startup worlds. We believe the greatest value can be unlocked by combining the scale strengths and deep domain knowledge of corporates with the entrepreneurial execution of startups. We bring our entrepreneurial experience and global network, to co-invest with ambitious corporates. We only succeed when our partners see tangible, commercial results, designing and executing a balanced portfolio of innovation initiatives.
We help corporations embed an entrepreneurial culture. We train teams with practical entrepreneurial skills. We help companies to meaningfully engage with startups. And, we partner to collaboratively build your innovation culture.
Rainmaking has partnered with over 85 Fortune 500 companies, delivering positive change through entrepreneurship and bringing startups and corporates together to build and scale new businesses. During which, Rainmaking has built, invested, and accelerated 932 ventures, including the world’s largest industry-focused accelerator programme, Startupbootcamp
Rainmaking has 13 offices across the globe with a global team of 150+ entrepreneurs, strategists, product experts, program teams and startup experts.
The Engagement
We are looking for an Account Director to run a startup pilot studio with an exciting European company. Your main area of focus will be working with one of our key partners to help them unlock new growth through innovation and entrepreneurship, by partnering with key startups in the ecosystem.
You will be in charge of leading the delivery and client servicing, supported by the core Pilot Studio team. We are looking for a great manager, passionate about innovation, able to build strong relationships with corporate clients and with a hands-on working style. You will report to the Europe COO. The Pilot Studio is focused on accelerating growth within key strategic areas for the client by partnering with startups, with the potential for investment or acquisition.
A bit more detail about what you’d be getting up to...
In the day to day of the role you will be responsible for:
- Managing client relationship and external stakeholder management extending to the network of experts, mentors, external stakeholders, etc who will be part of the project.
- You will be able to drive and facilitate key client meetings
- You can immerse yourself in a client’s key challenges and find solutions through strategic analysis and approaches to innovation
- You can ‘translate’ from startup to corporate, and drive collaborations between the two that drive real impact
- Identify new opportunities for the partnership and growth
- You enjoy being in front of clients and other stakeholders and asking questions to better understand their pain points and needs, to help deliver an even better experience and solution for them
- Driving projects from start to finish, with a structured approach
- Setting a great framework for reporting to the client team, and leading the internal team through regular reports and key meetings.
- Setting clear KPI’s for the team internally as well as with clients, and be the driving force to smash targets
- You'll be responsible for the overall delivery of the program including budgets and management of timelines, ensuring a happy partnership with the client.
About You
- 5+ years experience managing stakeholders within complex organisations in a fast-paced environment
- A self starter with strong communication skills (written and verbal)
- English language is essential
- Structured mindset to approaching problem solving and meeting deadlines with proven attention to detail
- Management experience from leading a team previously and a keen interest to work cross-functionally within the organisation
- Able to meet high expectations while working independently (we don’t micro-manage)
- Strong interest in entrepreneurship, emerging technologies and the corporate innovation landscape, maybe even a background in a startup or as a founder yourself
- Comfortable with ambiguity, adaptable and resourceful. Willing to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in!
- Innovation best practices is something you have had previous exposure to and are aware of lean startup methodology, design thinking, etc.
- Responsible for owning projects and take responsibility for following-through with them
- You value kindness, entrepreneurship and impact, just like we do
Why Work With Us
- Opportunity to be part of an innovation journey for an established corporate partner
- Opportunity to learn about cutting edge strategy at the intersection of corporates and startups</