Program Manager, Innovation & New Business Development

Job Description:

The automotive industry is undergoing an environmental transformation characterized by CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Sharing, Electrification). To capitalize on the opportunities and navigate the challenges presented by this shift, it is imperative to enhance the efficiency of traditional automotive planning and engineering processes as well as operations.

The Silicon Valley Office (SVO) at MNAO plays a pivotal role in identifying and leveraging external innovations to foster new business growth and operational improvement at Mazda and support the HQ in Hiroshima, especially the newly founded e-Mazda division. The Program Manager, New Business Development will collaborate closely with the SVO team to scout and assess startups in North America based on Strategic needs from e-Mazda and MNAO. This involves engaging with a diverse array of teams, including MNAO's Strategy Teams, to devise and present business plans that incorporate startup innovations. The role encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, from identifying and evaluating startups, understanding internal departmental needs through interviews, clarifying their challenges, assessing the potential value of startup innovations for Mazda, to planning and validating Proof of Concept (PoC) initiatives and formulating engineering and business strategies.

Furthermore, this role will eventually be expected to work in the venture capital offices of MNAO's partner in the Bay Area for around one year, enhancing connections with the VC and deepening discussions on startup discovery and integration with them.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

Investigation of Potential Startups and Expansion of the Silicon Valley Ecosystem

• 15%

• Identifying startup opportunities for Mazda Corporation (e-Mazda) and MNAO.

• Fostering and broadening relationships with startups, venture capitals, corporations, and other key stakeholders in Silicon Valley.

• Participating in technology and business conferences, as well as startup pitches, to stay abreast of technological trends and identify potential business partners

Evaluation and Ideation of New Business Ideas

• 40%

• Assessing the viability of startup collaborations.

• Conducting interviews to determine needs and challenges across various departments and defining problems to be solved.

• Generating potential business ideas using startup innovations for Mazda Corporation (e-Mazda) and MNAO

Preparation and Leadership of PoC/Creation of Business Proposals

• 45%

• Organizing PoC projects to minimize new business uncertainties while ensuring customer value, business models, and technical feasibility.

• Leading PoC initiatives with both internal and external teams as a project manager, ensuring objectives and deadlines are met.

• Developing detailed business plans, including target market, pain points, solutions, and financial models based on PoC outcomes.

Qualifications and Other Requirements:

Education (Minimum):

Bachelor's degree in finance, marketing, business administration, or equivalent work experience. An MBA or advanced degree is preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum four (4) years of experience in business development or a similar role within the automotive or high-technology sectors, startups, or venture capital.

• Proven expertise in mobility related verticals and skills in creating quantitative business plans.

• Preferred: Project management experience utilizing agile methodologies, tech scouting, and familiarity with Japanese Corporate Culture.

Training/Certification:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification highly desired

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Collaboration/Leadership Competencies:

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, adept at working with all organization levels and external partners.

• Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively to identify problems and implement solutions.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and tasks across various functions.

• Ability to motivate and lead peers, staff, and executives.

• Ability to influence others and build effective business relationships.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written, and presentation skills.

• Skills/Knowledge:

• Proven expertise in identifying and assessing emerging technologies and business models.

• Exceptional capability to formulate detailed quantitative business plans.

• A deep-seated curiosity about new technologies and business models, paired with flexible thinking, enables the generation of innovative business ideas and solutions.

• Advanced problem-structuring and strategic problem-solving abilities, with a track record of tackling complex issues by developing pragmatic and forward-thinking strategies.

• Self-motivated, with a high degree of initiative and the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Must be proficient in all Microsoft applications with a high skill level with Excel and PowerPoint with an emphasis on executive level reporting.

• A foundational understanding of the automotive industry is preferred.

• Other Requirements:

• A solid network within the Silicon Valley ecosystem and a track record of building strategic relationships is desired.

• Fluency in Japanese is a significant advantage.

Travel: May be required about 6 times per year in North America

Pay Range:

$91,400.00-$139,400.00

Salary to be determined by education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

Learn more about MNAO's comprehensive benefits package here