Job Information
Chick-fil-A Sr. Lead, External Research & Development in Atlanta, Georgia
Overview
The purpose of the External Research & Development Team is to harness the power of an external venture network to create competitive advantage. We aim to accelerate solutions to core business challenges, support the development of alternative revenue streams beyond the core business, serve as a reliable resource for internal partners and provide real world understanding of emerging solutions/technologies. Supporting these outcomes are three key strategies: building an expansive global venture network, cultivating strong internal relationships and influencing external innovation.
With the increasing pace of change, we believe an open innovation model is needed to effectively support the enterprise; this model acknowledges one company does not have a monopoly on good ideas and actively leverages innovation from outside the company to solve challenges, seize opportunities and prevent disruption. Open innovation requires an expansive network to be successful. The Senior External Research & Development Lead is responsible for supporting our strategic approach to building our global external network. The role leads our efforts to build external relationships, expand our understanding of innovation happening across the globe, identify the most promising solutions and connect potential solutions with internal teams to accelerate the business.
Our Flexible Future model offers a healthy mix of working in person and virtually, strengthening key elements of the Chick-fil-A culture by fostering collaboration and community.
Responsibilities
Play lead role in creating and executing strategy to build global external venture network
Deeply understand key business challenges, department goals and team roadmaps
Identify and connect with valuable external venture partners: Venture Capital Firms, Corporate Venture Teams, Accelerators, Start Ups, Universities, etc. Represent Chick-fil-A in the venture network
Develop and manage scalable system to effectively foster external relationships
Understand emerging developments and solutions in the marketplace
Source and evaluate emerging solutions
Connect internal stakeholders to potential solutions
Plan and execute internal stakeholder engagement and communication strategy to improve awareness of External R&D value across the enterprise
Create avenues for Chick-fil-A staff to add value to the external network
Organize key internal stakeholders to fulfill commitments to external network partners
Create in-field pilot and immersive experiences for internal stakeholders
Curate new methods for internal stakeholders to expand their understanding of emerging marketplace developments
Execute the broader team communication plan
Assess marketplace trends, competitive landscape and venture network to recommend opportunities for new business concepts, alternative revenue streams and strategic investments. Conduct business analysis on potential new business opportunities
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree
5 years work experience
Knowledge of startup ecosystem
Experience analyzing companies and evaluating business solutions
Builds effective relationships with internal Chick-fil-A staff, operators, and external partners
Serves as an internal subject matter expert on the startup/accelerator/venture capital community
Awareness of current and future technology trends, as well as novel approaches to provide value to Chick-fil-A through access to emerging technology
Has ability to understand current Chick-fil-A business focus areas and how they may impact current use cases and emerging technology solutions
Creates a professional and collaborative working environment with full colleague participation that promotes teamwork, quality, and exceptional outcomes
Demonstrates the ability to influence, manage and present ideas via clear written and oral communication (strong presentation skills)
Sets and continually manages project expectations with team members and other stakeholders
Exhibits ability to prioritize multiple projects and tasks, adapts to changing needs and tackles new challenges daily
Self-starter who operates well in a collaborative team environment and adapt effectively to changing business priorities/strategies
Is PC and/or MAC proficient including Microsoft Windows, Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Smartsheet and CRM systems
Preferred Qualifications
7 years work experience
Experience working with Accelerators and Venture Capital Firms
Experience developing and executing strategies for new business opportunities
Knowledge of Pilot Design to test emerging solutions
Understanding of technology development
Business case development and financial analysis
Experience with relationship management systems
Minimum Years of Experience
5
Travel Requirements
30%
Required Level of Education
Bachelor's Degree
Requisition ID2024-16353
Job FunctionMarketing
Position TypeExperienced Professionals
Posting Location : LocationUS-GA-Atlanta