Join a strategic innovation team focused on shaping priorities, improving operating models, and turning ideas into actionable plans with measurable outcomes. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with leadership to assess current practices, align innovation efforts to broader transformation goals, and build a clear path forward for execution.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate the current innovation strategy, operating model, governance, funding approach, and intake/stage-gate process.
• Assess how innovation initiatives connect to broader transformation priorities and North Star direction.
• Benchmark current practices against peers and external market perspectives to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Review responsibilities, staffing, skills, and capacity across related functions to uncover overlaps and gaps.
• Scan emerging technology trends and peer activity to inform strategic recommendations.
• Research new products and services launched by peers and assess relevance, maturity, and urgency.
• Design leadership engagement activities, including 1:1 interviews, workshops, and supporting materials.
• Develop a business case that outlines expected outcomes, investment needs, assumptions, and measurable value.
• Create a sequenced execution plan with owners, milestones, dependencies, decision points, and success measures.
• Recommend ways to streamline responsibilities, optimize resourcing, and identify any remaining capability gaps.
• Prepare executive-ready recommendations, presentations, and supporting documentation for leadership review.

Skills

• Experience in innovation strategy, operating model design, and execution planning.
• Ability to translate strategic priorities into practical plans with clear owners and measurable outcomes.
• Strong business mindset with the ability to connect technology and innovation to business value.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to turn research into a compelling narrative.
• Experience collaborating with senior stakeholders and supporting executive-level decision-making.
• Ability to assess organizational responsibilities, skills, and capacity across functions.
• Comfort working with external research, market insights, and benchmarking sources.
• Strong analytical thinking and the ability to synthesize complex information into clear recommendations.

Preferred Skills

• Hands-on experience building prototypes or proofs of concept using GenAI tools or low-code platforms.
• Background in financial services, wealth management, or asset management.
• Familiarity with AI strategy and GenAI concepts.
• Experience using research from firms such as Gartner, Forrester, McKinsey, Deloitte, or BCG.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a hybrid, leadership-facing environment.

Horizontal is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued, respected, and encouraged. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone can contribute, grow, and succeed.

By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree that Horizontal Talent may contact you regarding your application using automated technology, including phone calls, SMS/text messages, or email, which may be delivered by our virtual AI recruiter, Alex.