Media Innovation Lab Manager

Overview

The Media Innovation Lab Manager at Media City Qatar will spearhead the Lab's strategic vision and daily operations, fostering a culture of rapid experimentation and product innovation tailored to the media sector. This leadership role demands expertise in venture creation, agile team management, and media industry trends while serving as a key representative in regional and international media innovation networks.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement a comprehensive long-range innovation strategy and project roadmap that aligns with Media City Qatar's vision and the evolving needs of the media industry.
• Lead the establishment and supervision of multidisciplinary Innovation & Development teams to deliver tangible use case results and measurable impacts.
• Encourage a collaborative and adaptable workplace environment promoting swift experimentation and iterative development.
• Oversee everyday laboratory functions, focusing on managing risk, allocating resources effectively, and overseeing budgeting processes.
• Serve as the principal point of contact and ambassador for the Lab with senior stakeholders and external collaborators.
• Drive a culture of continuous innovation by monitoring emerging trends, identifying technological advancements, and seizing opportunities pertinent to media ecosystems.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) that evaluate Lab outputs, team effectiveness, and the Lab's broader strategic contributions.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 12 to 16 years of progressive experience in strategic innovation, venture building, or cross-functional management, preferably within media, technology, or creative industries.
• A bachelor's degree in business, design, technology, media, or a related discipline; a master’s degree is advantageous.
• Proven success in founding, growing, and sustaining innovation labs, R&D units, or venture-style teams with documented measurable effects.
• Strong professional network within Qatari and GCC public sectors, connected with industry leaders and key institutional figures.
• Experience crafting and executing strategic roadmaps aligning organizational goals with market potential.
• Expertise in innovation methodologies including agile practices and human-centered design approaches.
• In-depth knowledge of the media landscape, digital transformation, and emerging technological trends.
• Competence in budget management, operational risk reduction, and resource optimization at programmatic or organizational levels.

Technology Proficiencies

• Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• AI and emerging technologies such as Azure AI and ChatGPT or other large language model platforms
• Strategic planning and collaboration tools like Miro and Notion
• Project delivery and reporting tools including Jira, Asana, and Power BI