Digital Innovation (AI/GenAI) & Strategic Partnerships Lead

Company Description

Are you looking for a meaningful experience in a company who tackles social, environmental and economic issues as an inseparable whole to the benefit  of the largest number of people and are you willing to work in a company committed to the environment? 

And you’d like to work in a company committed to the environment? Join Veolia!

Veolia aims to be  the benchmark company for ecological transformation. Our mission to “Resource the world” demonstrates the unwavering commitment of our 220,000 employees to creating a positive impact for our planet.

By joining Water Tech, not only will you become a Resourcer, but you will also take part in providing complete solutions for water treatment. By innovating in key areas such as sustainable development, resource and product recovery, we want to offer water related solutions suited for every application.  

At Veolia Water Tech HQ, we are committed to empowering our employees, to make their own decisions and to make a real difference.

Become a player in ecological transformation by joining us! 🌿🌍

Job Description

The Lead of Digital Innovation, AI & Strategic Partnerships will be responsible for driving digital and AI/GenAI innovation initiatives from end-to-end, managing a team composed of an AI Product Manager and an Innovation Lead. This role involves defining the digital innovation & AI  strategy to support AI for GreenUP program & growth initiatives, establishing digital innovation processes, frameworks, and governance, and collaborating with the Group on strategic partnerships. The ideal candidate will foster a culture of innovation, AI, digital customer-centricity, and methodologies within the organization.

Strategy Development:

• Define and implement a comprehensive digital innovation strategy aligned with the business lines & regions growth objectives.
• Interact with the Group, to understand and comply with inno/AI/GenAI Group strategy
• Contribute to promote, within WaterTech, Veolia, or externally, digital innovation, AI/genAI vision, our positioning, and the initiatives
• Work closely with the Digital Marketing team to create communication contents aligned with WaterTech and Veolia Group guidelines.
• Stay abreast of the latest or emerging trends and advancements in digital technology and AI/GenAI to drive continuous innovation and support the innovation culture Lead to spread this culture within the Digital team.

 Digital and AI Innovation:

• Develop and maintain a roadmap for digital and AI innovation initiatives by business lines.
• Manage digital and AI/GenAI innovation initiatives from idea generation to prototype, proof of concept (PoC), minimum viable product (MVP), and launch with a strong collaboration with the Business lines and regions.
• Supervise the innovation culture Lead,  supported by the global marketing team in the user research, market analysis, and trend spotting to inform innovation strategies and roadmaps.

   Process and Governance:

• Establish and maintain AI/GenAI  processes, frameworks, and governance structures within WaterTech.
• Define the best practices in digital innovation and AI.
• Collaborate closely with Digital Factory. 
• Govern AI/GenAI requests and initiatives at WaterTech through the AI/GenAI gov framework, and represents Water Tech, as the AI Global Strategy lead at the Group Level.
• Ensure compliance with regulation with the support of the legal & compliance team and cybersecurity team, in WaterTech and at Group level.
• Foster a culture of innovation, digital customer-centricity, and agile methodologies within the organization. Collaborate with HR to boost innovation culture.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing to drive innovation.

 Strategic Partnerships:

• Collaborate with the DB&T group (or relevant stakeholders) to identify and develop strategic partnerships.
• Manage relationships with key partners to drive innovation and achieve business goals (e.g. AWS, Mistral AI, Microsoft, Google), with the support of the Group and the Marketing, Sales and commercial excellence team.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science or a related field. 

• Proven experience in managing digital and AI innovation initiatives, preferably in a leadership role. Experience in defining and implementing digital innovation & AI strategies. Strong understanding of digital technologies, AI, and GenAI.

• An experience in an innovation center or lab in the AI/GenAI related field and in a digital customer-centric environment is required.

• Excellent leadership, team/stakeholders management, and communication skills. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and external partners. Ability to work in a global, multicultural environment.

• Experience in establishing and maintaining governance structures and processes. Ability to drive change management and innovation within an organization.

• Strong project & product management skills. Knowledge of agile and design thinking methodologies.

• Position based in Saint Maurice (with some days in the Veolia HQ - Aubervilliers) (3 days on-site, 2 days remote).

• Professional English is mandatory

• Ability to travel

Additional Information

We offer you the opportunity to join a Group whose goal is to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation! 🌿🌍

What are the advantages of joining us?

• Be part of a forward-thinking collaborative team who will focus on your future career and development both locally and internationally
• Possibility to be part of exciting projects outside of your daily work/ scope for your company
• We are committed to ensure you have the best experience possible
• Veolia is committed to a global social pact for its employees in all its geographic regions.

As an inclusive company, Veolia is committed to diversity and gives equal consideration to all applications, without discrimination.