Innovation Project Manager

The opportunity

Hitachi Energy is seeking a dynamic, action-oriented Innovation Project Manager to turn our global Open Innovation agenda into concrete results across the transformer business.

In this highly operational role, you will execute and orchestrate innovation activities such as global startup challenges, venture-clienting pilots, and ideation workshops - transforming strategy into action and measurable business impact.

Working at the core of the Global Innovation Organization, you will collaborate closely with startups, partners, technical experts, business sponsors, and global delivery teams. You will be the driving force that connects frameworks with execution and ideas with pilots.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, global environment, brings structure and momentum, and is motivated by seeing tangible outcomes from their work.

• Operationalize open innovation offerings, ensuring consistent and professional delivery of startup challenges, venture-clienting, and entrepreneurial initiatives
• Manage end-to-end execution of innovation projects, including planning, timelines, stakeholder alignment, risk management, and reporting
• Run global startup challenges by coordinating scouting inputs, managing submissions, supporting evaluations, and ensuring clear communication
• Drive innovation pilots and explorations, facilitating problem definition, organizing experiments, and capturing evidence and learnings
• Plan and deliver high-quality workshops, sprints, events, and co-creation sessions across global teams
• Translate innovation frameworks and blueprints into actionable execution plans with clear milestones and deliverables
• Ensure transparency and governance by tracking KPIs, progress, outcomes, and risks
• Act as the "glue" between Innovation Operations, R&D, Product Management, and business sponsors

• Degree in Innovation Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field
• 3-6 years' experience in project management, innovation operations, consulting, or coordinating cross-functional initiatives
• Hands-on experience delivering innovation activities such as startup challenges, pilots, workshops, or ecosystem events
• Strong planning, prioritization, and execution skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives in parallel
• Experience working in complex, global, matrixed environments
• Confident communicator, comfortable interacting with startups, engineers, and senior stakeholders
• Practical problem-solver with a structured, execution-focused mindset
• Genuine interest in open innovation, startup collaboration, and turning ideas into impact

• Private medical care and life insurance
• Access to fitness and wellness programs
• Access to benefits platform with discounts and perks
• Employee Capital Plans (PPK)
• Equipment for working from home or allowances for setting up a workplace at home
• Spectacles and contact lenses allowance
• Company events and team-building activities
• Psychological support program