Director, Strategic Initiatives

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are seeking a Director of Strategic Initiaves to lead innovation strategy and drive breakthrough solutions in emerging areas such as foodtech, agritech, air mobility and modern infrastructure systems. The ideal candidate has 10+ years of experience in these domains and will play a central role in shaping MELIC’s long-term agenda, building external ecosystems, and guiding new venture creation across the Mitsubishi Electric portfolio.

The essential functions of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

Strategy & Insight

• Develop MELIC’s strategic roadmap across target future domains.
• Deliver market intelligence, domain landscape analyses, and executive insight briefs.
• Identify opportunities where Mitsubishi Electric’s capabilities—AI, robotics, sensing, controls, and energy systems—can create competitive advantage.

Startup & Technology Pipeline

• Build and manage a robust pipeline of startups, researchers, and emerging technologies.
• Lead technical and strategic evaluations of innovations in food, water, climate, and next generation infrastructure systems.
• Define and refine MELIC’s criteria for domain-driven venture selection.

Program Leadership

• Lead MELIC’s innovation programs, pilots, and collaborative initiatives with universities, startups, and industry partners.
• Mentor founders and advise internal teams throughout early-stage concept development.
• Represent MELIC at conferences, panels, and key ecosystem events.

Venture Building

• Collaborate with MELIC’s AI, Product, and Engineering teams to shape new venture theses and concept prototypes.
• Identify whitespace opportunities where Mitsubishi Electric can develop differentiated new businesses.
• Support validation and early traction of selected venture concepts.

Partnership & Ecosystem Development

• Establish and grow partnerships with universities, research institutes, multilaterals, investors, and corporates.
• Position MELIC as a leading innovation hub in next-generation industrial, environmental, and life-systems technologies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Advanced degree required (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant technical or scientific discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in new business creation, domain leadership, or innovation management.
• Expertise in one or more relevant domains: watertech, agritech, foodtech, infrastructure systems or related fields.
• Demonstrated success in open innovation, startup ecosystems, venture programs, or external partnerships.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to engage researchers, founders, and senior executives.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $149,600 and $205,700/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including commissions based on achieving individual performance and/or sales metrics, incentive compensation and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these additional compensation and benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, domestic partnership, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, military or veteran status or other legally protected status (except when one of these criteria is a legally permissible bona- fide occupational qualification).

The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the Company, or (c) consistent with the Company’s legal duty to furnish information.

To view the EEO is The Law Poster and the supplement, please visit www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf

To view the Notice to Job Applicants and Employees regarding San Francisco's Fair Chance Ordinance and the Know Your Rights poster please visit www.sfgov.org/olse/sites/default/files/FCO%20poster2020_0.pdf

Applicants with a disability who need assistance with the application process may contact Human Resources by email at employment@meus.mea.com or by calling 714.229.3813.