Head of Foresight and Strategic Growth (f/m/d)

Working at Freudenberg: We will wow your world!

Responsibilities:

• You provide professional and disciplinary leadership to the team, fostering collaboration, capability building and high-impact delivery
• You lead foresight activities by identifying and assessing relevant trends and technologies, prioritizing strategic topics, and translating insights into actionable opportunities for the Freudenberg Group
• You monitor and interpret external developments driven by technology, including regulatory, political, social and economic changes and assess their strategic relevance for Freudenberg
• You are responsible for Freudenberg’s multi-agent foresighting AI tool, working closely with IT and FTI AI experts, and Business Groups (business development, R&D) to ensure continuous development, high-quality data integration and effective use across internal and external data sources
• You lead FTI’s venturing unit and manage a portfolio of venturing instruments to identify, validate and advance BG-use cases, incubation activities and strategic growth opportunities, including collaboration with start-ups and external innovation ecosystems
• You drive the transformation of foresight topics into growth-field platforms in close collaboration with the Head of Technology Platform and ensure the good delivery of outcome
• Together with the Head of FTI and the FTI Management Team, you shape strategic priorities and drive the successful execution of strategic growth initiatives

Qualifications:

• University degree in engineering, natural sciences, business administration, innovation management or a comparable field; PhD, MBA preferred
• Several years of professional and leadership experience in strategy, foresight, innovation, venturing/venture clienting, R&D or technology management with a strong network in specific communities
• Proven track records in identifying strategic growth topics and driving their successful implementation
• Sound understanding of digital and AI-enabled tools, data-driven approaches
• Ability to work effectively across functions, business groups and management levels, with strong stakeholder management and people engagement skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage, influence and convince different audiences, partners and customers
• Strategic mindset combined with strong execution capabilities, entrepreneurial drive and a clear focus on value creation
• Fluent communication skills in English and German; additional languages are an advantage

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The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Freudenberg Technology Innovation SE & Co. KG