Innovation Ecosystem Partnership Lead (m/f/d)_3234

About the Job 

Responsible for identifying, building and activating Allianz's external innovation ecosystem. This role goes beyond relationship management—it creates strategic value by translating external market developments, startup capabilities and ecosystem partnerships into tangible business opportunities.

Acts as the bridge between Allianz and the external innovation ecosystem,  proactively identifies opportunities, connects the right stakeholders and accelerates innovation initiatives that support Allianz's strategic priorities.

In this role you thrive in ambiguity, create momentum without waiting for direction and naturally turn ideas into action.

What you do

Build and continuously expand a high-value network of startups, venture capital firms, scale-ups, research institutions and innovation partners. Proactively identify external opportunities that address Allianz's strategic business priorities.

Translate market trends, emerging technologies and startup capabilities into actionable recommendations for business leaders.

Create and own a pipeline of partnership and startup opportunities from identification through stakeholder alignment. Connect internal business challenges with the right external partners to accelerate innovation.

Act as a trusted advisor by bringing fresh market perspectives and challenging existing thinking whilst also building senior stakeholder relationships across Allianz and influence collaboration without formal authority.

Lead strategic conversations with external partners to create long-term value rather than transactional relationships.

Drive cross-functional collaboration between business, technology and external partners to move opportunities into pilots and implementation.

Represent Allianz within the external innovation ecosystem and continuously strengthen the company's innovation network.

What you bring

• Experience with Insurtech network as well as demonstrated experience within startups, venture capital, innovation consulting, corporate innovation or technology ecosystems.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a natural curiosity for emerging technologies and business models.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to identify opportunities where others see complexity.
• Outstanding networking and relationship-building skills with the ability to quickly establish credibility across internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work independently in highly ambiguous environments. Excellent strategic thinking and synthesis skills—able to convert large amounts of information into clear recommendations.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management capabilities without relying on hierarchy and the ability to connect ideas, people and organizations to create value.
• Self-driven, proactive and comfortable taking ownership of outcomes. Excellent communication and presentation skills and a passion for innovation and helping large organizations transform through external collaboration.

• Familiarity with AI technologies and GenAI platforms is a strong advantage.

What we offer

• We offer a hybrid work model which recognizes the value of striking a balance between in-person collaboration and remote working incl. up to 25 days per year working from abroad.
• We believe in rewarding performance and our compensation and benefits package includes a company bonus scheme, pension, employee shares program and multiple employee discounts (details vary by location).
• From career development and digital learning programs to international career mobility, we offer lifelong learning for our employees worldwide and an environment where innovation, delivery and empowerment are fostered.
• Flexible working, health and wellbeing offers (including healthcare and parental leave benefits) support to balance family and career and help our people return from career breaks with experience that nothing else can teach.