Portfolio Director – Robotics

Drive imec’s offering for a portfolio of technologies in Robotics and Humanoids applications.

What you will do

In this job, you will be responsible to define and help realize imec’s strategy towards maximum impact for a portfolio of technologies and solutions applicable to the robotic market and more specifically towards humanoids. This portfolio director role pushes the boundaries of a wide range of technologies : Batteries and power management, sensing technologies (imagers, touch, …), compute and communication technologies, chiplets, as well as a good understanding of AI within Robotics. The role spans the journey from market analysis, over requirement and roadmap definition, business plan creation to its realization by managing the selected investments; and requires a strong interaction with multiple teams across the organization.

Your main responsibilities will be :

• Shape imec’s offering for this portfolio, driving research investments and solution roadmaps from market needs, in close collaboration with imec’s management, technology teams and your colleagues in the business development and field teams :  Create a good understanding of the needs for potential users of the technology. Identify, assess, and synthesize market trends and gaps relevant towards imec’s roadmap and offering definition in robotics and humanoids.Articulate USPs of imec technologies from an application perspective and how they fit in potential customers’ value chains. Analyze competitive and intellectual property landscapes. Assess financial impact and potential of proposed investments to support go / no-go decisions and prioritization. Define business models and collaboration approaches bridging imec’s offering to the needs and capabilities of the customers. This may involve building partnerships with 3rd parties or spin-offs to turn imec’s technologies or solutions in actual products. Validate the above and empathize with imec partners’ needs through effective Voice-of-Customer insight collection.
• Manage the investments towards new assets in the portfolio by taking up the business lead role for them : Develop, monitor and update the strategic vision and business case behind the investment decision. Derive high-level specifications and plans coherent with the stated product-market fit and market timing. Monitor execution and market risks and help manage potential barriers such as IP situation and regulatory approvals.Sign off investment milestones and requests for specification changes in view of the (updated) business case. Set release-to-market conditions and lead hand-over towards field and business development teams.
• Support the commercial phase for collaborations within the portfolio :  Support field teams in customer discovery and strategy alignment efforts (incl. make-a-thons, brainstorming, workshops etc.).Support business development teams towards the execution of the portfolio business plan (and to analyze deviations).Evangelize the portfolio in relevant industry conferences, congresses, or customer meetings.Make portfolio offering and business case adjustments based on market feedback.

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth.

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits.

Who you are