Innovation Manager - Fintech and Crypto & Digital Assets

Plug and Play Tech Center•Sunnyvale, CA

About The Position

ABOUT US Plug and Play Tech Center (PnP) is the world's largest open innovation platform, bringing together startups, investors, and corporations to drive the future of technology. With 65+ offices worldwide, 550+ corporate partners, and 2,000+ investments, we empower enterprises to accelerate their innovation journey through curated startup engagements, pilot projects, and strategic partnerships. ROLE OVERVIEW We are seeking an Innovation Manager to own, manage, and grow a portfolio of corporate accounts within our Fintech and Crypto & Digital Assets programs. You will serve as the lead strategic advisor for enterprise partners, helping define innovation strategies, facilitating startup collaboration, and ensuring long-term satisfaction and retention. This role also encompasses hands-on program delivery — coordinating accelerator activities, supporting startups, and contributing to community and ecosystem building. This role sits at the intersection of strategy consulting, client relationship management, program operations, and startup ecosystem engagement — ideal for someone who thrives across both the strategic and executional dimensions of innovation.

Requirements

2+ years of experience in consulting, innovation, account management, or customer success - specifically with enterprise clients.
Solid understanding of corporate innovation, emerging technology trends, and startup ecosystems; genuine enthusiasm for fintech, crypto, digital assets, and broader financial services innovation is a strong plus.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Excellent written, verbal, and facilitation skills, with comfort engaging both senior executives and early-stage founders.
Proficiency in managing retention metrics and conducting executive business reviews.
Self-motivated, analytical, curious, and entrepreneurial, with a strong bias toward efficient execution.
Ability to multitask effectively and thrive in a dynamic, fast-growing environment.

Responsibilities

Account Ownership & Relationship Management
Own, manage, and grow the enterprise ecosystem, serving as the primary relationship manager for assigned corporate partners.
Build trust and long-term engagement through regular meetings, stakeholder mapping, and proactive executive engagement.
Lead executive business reviews, delivering tailored content, substantive value, and actionable outcomes.
Own key retention metrics (e.g., GDR, NDR), proactively identify churn risks, and partner with internal teams to mitigate them.
Identify cross-sell opportunities and collaborate with the Sales team to expand engagement and revenue.
Innovation Strategy & Advisory
Conduct discovery sessions with partners to assess strategic goals, innovation priorities, and business challenges.
Define and implement innovation strategies through consulting activities such as strategy and ideation workshops.
Advise on market trends, technology shifts, and startup ecosystems relevant to partner needs — with a focus on areas such as payments, lending, wealth management, and financial services.
Design and deliver tailored advisory sessions with curated startup introductions and actionable recommendations.
Capture and communicate key findings through post-session reports, presentations, and executive communications.
Share partner insights with Ventures and Programs teams to shape Plug and Play's roadmap and offerings.
Fintech Program Delivery & Operations
Coordinate and execute accelerator program activities for startups, including workshops, cohort sessions, and milestone events, and managing scheduling, communications, and materials preparation.
Support participating startups by anticipating their needs, facilitating access to resources, and connecting them with relevant mentors and financial services partners.
Maintain program databases, prepare progress reports, and manage program documentation to keep operations running smoothly.
Ecosystem Engagement & Community Building
Collaborate with Ventures and Sales teams to identify relevant startups, emerging technologies, and industry trends.
Build and maintain relationships across the Fintech and Crypto & Digital Assets ecosystem, including founders, mentors, VCs, and financial services partners, and gather feedback to continuously improve the program experience.
Help organize and execute events including our signature Summit, pitch days, and networking sessions, managing registrations, coordinating logistics, and ensuring a seamless experience for all stakeholders.
Support social media strategy and content creation to grow community presence and amplify visibility within the innovation landscape.
Represent Plug and Play at industry events, conferences, and showcases to strengthen relationships and brand presence.