Zeiss

Corporate venture capital for deep-tech startups

Head of Innovation Hub China

Business OperationsConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeShanghai, ChinaNo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A completed university degree is required.
At least 8 years of professional experience is required.
Demonstrable experience in innovation management, technology assessment, or research project management is required.
Experience establishing and managing strategic partnerships is required.
Strong leadership and team management skills are required.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to navigate complex organisational structures, are required.
Good knowledge of Chinese culture and a high level of intercultural competence and adaptability are required.
Fluency in Chinese and English is required.

Responsibilities

Develop the strategic direction of the ZEISS Innovation Hub in Shanghai in consultation with internal ZEISS stakeholders, including SSC China, Ventures, Corporate Research and Technology, and Corporate Strategy, and external local partners such as Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Conduct feasibility studies, pilot programmes, and innovation initiatives while ensuring compliance with budget and contract requirements.
Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with academic institutions, start-ups, and industry partners.
Initiate and manage cooperation projects with external partners.
Design and manage the implementation of networking activities, such as specialist conferences and innovation awards, in line with the agreed strategic direction.
Represent the company in local innovation networks, committees, and public forums.

Desired Qualifications

A doctorate in a technical or scientific field is preferred.
Knowledge of additional languages is an advantage.

Position Summary

Establishment and management of the Innovation Hub as a strategic interface between companies and external partners (universities, start-ups, industry). Promotion of innovation, cooperation and positioning in the Chinese innovation ecosystem.

Main tasks

Developing the strategic direction of the ZEISS Innovation Hub in Shanghai in consultation with internal ZEISS stakeholders (e.g. SSC China, Ventures, Corporate Research and Technology, Corporate Strategy) and external local partners (e.g. Shanghai Jiao Tong University).
Conducting feasibility studies, pilot programmes and innovation initiatives. Ensuring compliance with budget and contract requirements.
Establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships with academic institutions, start-ups and industry partners. Initiating and managing cooperation projects with external partners.
Designing and managing the implementation of networking activities (e.g. specialist conferences, innovation awards) in line with the agreed strategic direction. Representing the company in local innovation networks, committees and public forums.

Education

Successfully completed university degree, preferably a doctorate in a technical or scientific field

Work experience

At least 8 years of professional experience
Demonstrable experience in innovation management, technology assessment or research project management
Experience in establishing and managing strategic partnerships

Other skills

Strong leadership and team management skills
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; ability to navigate complex organisational structures
Good knowledge of Chinese culture and generally high level of intercultural competence and adaptability
Fluent Chinese and English; other languages are an advantage

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team

About the Company

Zeiss

Corporate venture capital for deep-tech startups

ZEISS Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of the ZEISS Group, investing in deep-tech startups that align with its core business areas. It focuses on early-stage rounds (pre-Series A to Series A), typically $1–$5 million, across Information Technology, Industrial Tech, MedTech, and Life Sciences. It adds value by providing targeted funding and using ZEISS’s global network and expertise to support portfolio companies. The goal is to accelerate development of new technologies and business models that complement ZEISS’s portfolio, while actively engaging with external innovation.

Company size: 1,001-5,000
Company stage: Growth Equity (Non-Venture Capital)
Total funding: $69.9M
Headquarters: Oberkochen, Germany
Founded: 2001

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