Robotics Lead (mid-senior level role)

Consultz is supporting our client, a well-renowned Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) in the region in their search for a Robotics Lead to drive the group’s robotics innovation and adoption agenda by combining advanced technical expertise and strategic foresight.

The ideal candidate will possess active and influential connections within the world’s leading robotics and AI ecosystems—including premier labs, academic institutions, startups, and technology firms across innovation hubs such as Silicon Valley, Europe, MENA, and Asia. They will actively engage with robotics clusters, research alliances, and technology leaders, leveraging a global network to foster cross-border collaborations and drive impactful growth strategies, in alignment with frontier innovation goals and international best practices.

Key Responsibilities

Drive the identification, evaluation, and integration of disruptive robotics technologies into actionable strategies, scalable pilots, and industry-leading roadmaps that maximize productivity, resilience, and competitiveness. Act as a critical conduit—bridging research, market intelligence, and commercialization—linking the company’s global robotics ecosystem with its diverse portfolio companies.

Robotics Strategy & Roadmap Development

• Define and continuously evolve the robotics vision, strategy, and multi-year roadmap—integrating adoption frameworks aligned to priority sectors and national innovation ambitions.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize high-impact robotics initiatives across portfolio companies.
• Develop and institutionalize detailed playbooks and maturity models to support exploration, pilot programs, and large-scale deployment.
• Ensure alignment between robotics and broader organizational digital transformation strategies.

Technology Scouting, Evaluation & Experimentation

• Lead global scouting and technical due diligence on emerging robotics technologies, startups, and research, covering industrial automation, service robotics, mobile/AI-enabled systems, and human–robot collaboration.
• Map vendors, benchmark solutions, and assess readiness, integration, and commercial feasibility.
• Shape and oversee proof-of-concept and pilot programs with internal and external partners.
• Translate complex technical insights into clear recommendations and investment cases for executive decision-making.

Robotics Ecosystem & Partnership Development

• Build and nurture a global robotics ecosystem, including startups, corporates, research labs, and academia.
• Design and manage strategic partnerships, joint research, and commercialization frameworks to drive robotics ambition and impactful business outcomes within the portfolio.

Cross-Portfolio Enablement & Advisory

• Advise portfolio companies on strategy formulation, technology selection, implementation, and scaling of robotics solutions.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer, cross-sector collaboration, and shared learning.
• Support investment and build-vs-buy decisions through rigorous technoeconomic assessments.

Thought Leadership & Horizon Scanning

• Generate actionable market and technology intelligence for robotics, automation, and related AI domains.
• Lead horizon scanning and scenario planning, producing high-impact reports and contributions to the group’s thought leadership platforms.

Outcome Orientation & Delivery

• Translate strategy into measurable, business-aligned outcomes for robotics initiatives.
• Monitor KPIs, ROI, and capability-building metrics.
• Operate with agility and discipline in a dynamic, multi-stakeholder global context.

Requirements

• Minimum of 15 years’ progressive experience in robotics, industrial automation, or technology leadership roles, ideally including innovation, R&D, and digital transformation in large organisations or deep-tech ecosystems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, AI, Mechatronics, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields (Master’s preferred). MBA or master’s/postgraduate qualification in innovation, technology management, or strategy is highly desirable.
• Robust background bridging technical R&D with commercialization, successfully bringing technologies from exploration and piloting to scaled execution.
• Extensive business development experience, preferably in innovation accelerators, corporate venture capital, or tech ecosystems.
• Deep knowledge of robotics platforms—hardware, AI integration, autonomy, sensors, controls, and perception solutions.
• Proven ability to assess technology maturity, integration complexity, and scalability.
• Understanding of Industry 4.0 concepts, automation architectures, digital twin, and simulation technologies.
• Ability to synthesize technical inputs into strategic frameworks and commercial opportunities.
• Skilled in developing business cases, ecosystem strategies, and portfolio ROI assessments.
• Strong executive presence, with the capacity to engage and influence C-suite and board-level audiences.
• Demonstrated systems thinking and a collaborative, cross-functional approach.
• Effective communicator across technical, business, and policy domains.
• Strong track record in managing open innovation ecosystems—spanning startups, corporates, academia, and research.
• Skilled in stakeholder management, partnership structuring, negotiation, and intellectual property considerations.
• Ability to build alignment and consensus across diverse teams, geographies, and cultural contexts.

Global Network

• Active connections within global robotics and AI ecosystems—including leading labs, academia, startups, and technology leaders across Silicon Valley, Europe, MENA, and Asia.
• Deep expertise in business development, partnership management, and ecosystem building.