Manager - Corporate Innovation Challange

About RTIH

The Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH) is a Section 8 company established under the Government of Andhra Pradesh through the Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society (APIS). As the State’s principal platform for innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship, RTIH leads a Hub-and-Spoke network connecting five regional innovation foundations across Andhra Pradesh. Its vision—under the AP Innovation & Startup Policy (2024–2029)—is to make Andhra Pradesh a lighthouse of inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship.

Position

Manager – Corporate Innovation Challenge

Employment Type: Full-time| Contractual Role

Location: Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh

Reporting To: Joint Director - Ecosystems

Role Overview

The Manager – Corporate Innovation Challenge will be responsible for designing, managing, and executing innovation challenges and hackathons in collaboration with corporates, startups, academia, and government stakeholders. The role requires a strong foundation in design thinking, problem-solving, and technology, with the ability to translate real-world business challenges into actionable innovation programs.

Key Responsibilities

1. Hackathon & Innovation Challenge Management
   • Conceptualize, design, and execute end-to-end corporate innovation challenges and hackathons
   • Collaborate with corporates to identify problem statements aligned with business needs
   • Plan timelines, formats (online/offline/hybrid), and execution strategies
2. Design Thinking & Problem Structuring
   • Apply design thinking methodologies to frame problem statements and solution approaches
   • Facilitate workshops, ideation sessions, and innovation sprints
   • Ensure challenges are user-centric and outcome-driven
3. Stakeholder Management
   • Engage with corporates, startups, academic institutions, mentors, and ecosystem partners
   • Coordinate with internal teams for seamless execution of programs
   • Build and maintain long-term relationships with innovation stakeholders
4. Program Execution & Delivery
   • Oversee participant onboarding, communication, mentoring sessions, and final demos
   • Ensure high-quality participant experience and engagement
   • Monitor progress and drive timely execution of all program stages
5. Technology & Innovation Enablement
   • Leverage emerging technologies to design relevant and impactful challenges
   • Evaluate solutions based on feasibility, scalability, and innovation
   • Stay updated with trends in technology, startups, and innovation ecosystems
6. Evaluation & Impact Measurement
   • Design evaluation frameworks and judging criteria
   • Track outcomes such as prototypes, pilots, partnerships, and deployments
   • Prepare reports and insights for leadership and stakeholders

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Engineering, Technology, Design, or related field
• 6–8 years of experience in innovation programs, hackathons, startup ecosystem, or consulting
• Proven experience in managing hackathons, innovation challenges, or similar programs

Core Competencies

• Strong understanding of Design Thinking frameworks
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Solid technology background with awareness of emerging tech trends
• Experience in program/project management
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to facilitate workshops and ideation sessions
• High ownership and execution capability fast paced environments

Reporting & Coordination

• • Report to the Head – Ecosystems on program progress, key milestones, and outcomes
  • Coordinate closely with internal teams (Incubation, Partnerships, Communications) for seamless program execution
  • Act as the single point of contact for corporates, partners, mentors, and participants throughout the lifecycle of the challenge
  • Manage vendor and partner coordination for event execution, technology platforms, and logistics
  • Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to ensure high-quality delivery of innovation programs

What We’re Looking For

• Exposure to startup ecosystem / incubation / acceleration programs
• Experience working with corporates on innovation initiatives
• Certification or formal training in Design Thinking

Budget

CTC – 10.0 L – 12.0 Lakhs per annum