Senior Manager, Innovation and Sustainability

Brief Description        

• The role holder will be responsible for defining and implementing innovation and sustainability strategies at Kenya Airways. In addition, the holder will provide leadership, strategic direction, and oversight of the development and execution of innovation and sustainability programs in line with the company's vision, mission, and strategic goals.

Detailed Description        
Innovation Strategy and Leadership

• Develop and execute an innovation strategy aligned with the company's goals and objectives.
• Foster a culture of innovation throughout the organization, encouraging creative thinking and collaboration.
• Lead and inspire cross-functional teams to identify and implement innovative solutions.
• Define and steer the implementation of change management and risk management of innovation projects.
• Nurture a strong partner ecosystem across the region and globe to support Kenya Airways’ innovation agenda.
• Determine and manage the development and administration of the innovationbudget.

Sustainability Strategy and ESG

• Lead the development and implementation of Kenya Airways' sustainability strategy.
• Drive the implementation of sustainable practices within the organization to ensure that Kenya Airways attains its environmental, social, economic and governance objectives.
• Identify, evaluate and pursue opportunities for adopting sustainable practices across all aspects of the business.
• Advise Kenya Airways of emerging trends and best practices in sustainable aviation and drive their implementation.
• Determine and manage the development and administration of the sustainability budget.

Research and Development

• Conduct research to identify emerging technologies and trends that can enhance operational efficiency and reduce environmental footprint.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement research projects focused on innovation and sustainable aviation practices.
• Monitor industry advancements and engage with partnerships to stay at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.
• Develop proposals for funding based on the identified innovation and sustainability strategy and work with partners to access financial and technical support.
• Develop shared research tools and frameworks for use by Kenya Airways and its partners.
• Lead the commissioning and execution of research outputs.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including employees, government agencies, industry organizations, universities, start-ups and NGOs, to drive collaborative initiatives.
• Represent Kenya Airways at industry events, conferences, and forums to promote the company's innovation and sustainability efforts and provide thought leadership.
• Build and maintain relationships with key partners to leverage expertise, resources, and funding opportunities.
• Develop, plan and execute innovation summits, workshops and other events to bring together key players and stakeholders for purposes of networking, exchanging ideas and learning from each other.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to assess the effectiveness of innovation and sustainability initiatives.
• Develop and maintain reporting mechanisms to track progress, analyse data, and provide regular updates to senior management.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders, highlighting achievements and future plans.

Job Requirements        

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in a relevant field such as sustainability, environmental science, engineering, or business administration.
• Familiarity with different innovation methodologies, such as design thinking, agile development, or lean startup, and the ability to tailor and apply them to specific business challenges.
• Experience in developing and implementing employee training programs on sustainability and innovation.
• Extensive experience (minimum 8-10 years) in innovation management, sustainability, or related roles, preferably within the aviation industry.
• Proven track record of leading successful innovation and sustainability projects fromideation to implementation.

Additional Details        

• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated project management skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Experience in change management