{"id":3458609,"url":"https://alion.io/job/kinit-innovation-director","title":"Innovation Director","company":{"id":1862345,"name":"KInIT","domain":"kinit.sk","url":"https://alion.io/company/kinit","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Nalgoo","truth_index":null},"role":"Leadership","role_family":"Leadership","seniority":"head","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Bratislava, Slovakia"],"countries":["SK"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":6000,"max":null,"currency":"EUR","period":"month","gross":null,"usd_annual":80256},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":3,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"EU AI Act","optional":true},{"name":"GDPR","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-29T12:27:08Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-29","last_verified_at":"2026-10-30T20:06:23Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":1,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":1},"description":"Salary: 6000EUR gross (the final compensation package will be determined based on the candidate’s level of seniority, depth of relevant experience, and the expertise they bring to the role).\nShape the Future of Innovation at KInIT and Slovakia\nAt Kempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies (KInIT), we believe that excellent AI research should not only advance scientific knowledge but also create meaningful impact in the real world.\nWe are looking for an entrepreneurial and research-driven Director of Innovation to build and lead our innovation function from the ground up.\nThis is a unique opportunity for someone who understands both scientific research and the commercial technology sector and wants to bring these worlds closer together, thereby contributing to a stronger research and innovation ecosystem in Slovakia.\nYou will identify promising opportunities emerging from our research, validate their potential, and transform the most relevant ones into impactful projects, services, products, and partnerships. You will also explore sustainable revenue opportunities that support KInIT’s long-term development and independence while staying true to our non-profit mission.\nWe are looking for a leader who combines scientific credibility, entrepreneurial thinking, and hands-on execution, someone who can turn ideas into tangible outcomes and inspire others to do the same.\nYour Mission at KInIT\nBuild and drive KInIT’s innovation strategy\nDevelop and implement an innovation strategy aligned with KInIT’s mission, research priorities, and long-term goals.\n\nIdentify opportunities to translate research outcomes into real-world applications, services, products, or new collaborations.\n\nMonitor developments in AI and emerging technologies and assess their relevance and potential for KInIT, with a focus on creating meaningful impact and contributing to the advancement, competitiveness, and sustainable development of Slovakia as a whole.\n\nEstablish a structured innovation pipeline for identifying, evaluating, validating, and prioritizing promising ideas.\n\nDevelop business cases, assess market potential, and explore sustainable revenue models, including licensing, consulting, training, software tools, and potential spin-offs.\n\nBuild and lead the innovation function\nEstablish the innovation function, define its operating model, and gradually build and develop the team.\n\nFoster a culture of experimentation, collaboration, and responsible innovation.\n\nWork closely with KInIT’s research teams to identify opportunities based on their expertise and research outcomes.\n\nSupport researchers in exploring practical applications of their work while respecting scientific independence and research priorities.\n\nDrive selected innovation initiatives from initial concepts through validation, pilot projects, and potential implementation.\n\nConnect research with industry and society\nBuild and strengthen strategic partnerships with companies, startups, universities, public institutions, investors, and innovation organizations in Slovakia and internationally.\n\nIdentify the needs of external partners and connect them with KInIT’s research capabilities.\n\nExplore opportunities for joint innovation projects, technology transfer, and new forms of collaboration.\n\nRepresent KInIT in the innovation ecosystem, at conferences, and in discussions with strategic partners.\n\nContribute to strengthening KInIT’s position as a bridge between excellent research, industry, and society.\n\nWhat Makes This Role Different\nYou won’t be joining an established innovation department with predefined processes and a ready-made portfolio. You will have the opportunity to build it.\nYou will shape how innovation works at KInIT, influence its strategic direction, and create new ways for excellent AI research to generate value beyond academia.\nUnlike traditional corporate innovation roles, success here is not measured by commercial returns alone. Your work will contribute to scientific excellence, societal impact, meaningful partnerships, and the long-term sustainability of an independent research institute.\nThis role offers an unusual combination of strategic ownership, hands-on execution, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on Slovakia’s AI innovation ecosystem.\nPersonality requirements\nRequired Experience and Skills\nStrong research background and first-hand research experience: At least 3-5 years of experience in an academic environment (e.g., PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related field) and a solid understanding of scientific research, demonstrated through relevant publications and research activities.\n\nCommercial experience: At least 3-5 years of experience in a technology company, startup, or innovation/R&D environment, with hands-on involvement in developing new technologies, products, or services.\n\nInnovation track record: Demonstrated ability to identify promising opportunities, validate ideas, develop prototypes, and bring innovations closer to practical application or market adoption.\n\nLeadership experience: Proven experience building, developing, and leading teams.\n\nBusiness understanding: Familiarity with business models such as licensing, SaaS, consulting, and strategic partnerships, and the ability to assess market potential.\n\nStrategic and execution skills: Ability to translate complex ideas into actionable plans with clear priorities, resources, and measurable outcomes.\n\nCommunication skills: Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively with researchers, business leaders, and external partners.\n\nLanguages: Fluent English.\n\nLeadership and Personal Competencies\nAn entrepreneurial mindset combined with respect for scientific rigor and research independence.\n\nA hands-on, proactive approach and the ability to build structures and processes from the ground up.\n\nSound judgment in evaluating opportunities, including knowing when to pursue, adapt, or discontinue an initiative.\n\nAbility to navigate ambiguity, prioritize effectively, and make progress with limited resources.\n\nStrong collaboration skills and the ability to build trust across research and commercial environments.\n\nGenuine motivation to create societal impact through responsible technological innovation.\n\nA balance of long-term strategic thinking and practical, results-oriented execution.\n\nNice to Have\nApproximately 10-15 years of combined experience in research and the technology industry.\n\nExperience establishing a startup, spin-off, or successfully bringing a technology-based product or service to market.\n\nExperience with European or national research and innovation projects.\n\nFamiliarity with intellectual property management, technology transfer, and relevant regulatory frameworks, such as the EU AI Act and GDPR.\n\nAn established network within the European or international technology and innovation ecosystem.\n\nExperience developing strategic partnerships or negotiating commercial collaborations.\n\nKnowledge of Slovak or Czech.\n\nEmployee perks, benefits\nAt KInIT, you will become part of a unique independent research institute that brings together excellent AI researchers, technology experts, and industry partners.\nIn addition to the opportunity to build a new strategic function and contribute to meaningful technological innovation, we offer:\nThe opportunity to work alongside leading AI researchers and contribute to projects with real-world impact.\n\nA collaborative, intellectually stimulating, and internationally connected research environment.\n\nAccess to internal scientific seminars, knowledge-sharing activities, and institute events.\n\nInstitute-wide social events and community activities.\n\nSelection process\nIf you are interested in shaping the future of innovation at KInIT, we would love to hear from you.\nPlease apply and send us your CV, ideally highlighting innovation initiatives, products, partnerships, or teams you have helped build or lead.\nWe will contact selected candidates with further information about the recruitment process.\nCompany description\nKempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies (KInIT) is an independent non-profit research institute dedicated to advancing excellence in artificial intelligence and connecting scientific research with real-world needs.\nWe bring together outstanding researchers and technology experts, collaborate with academia and industry, and create opportunities for research-driven innovation with meaningful societal impact.\nOur ambition is to strengthen Slovakia’s research and innovation ecosystem, attract and develop talent, and contribute to internationally competitive AI research.\nAt KInIT, scientific excellence, collaboration, and societal responsibility go hand in 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