Innovation Strategy Manager

GRIFOLS, S.A.•NC-RTP, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Innovation Strategy Manager leads Grifols’ innovation agenda for a future-ready, efficient, and donor-focused plasma network. As head of the Plasma Innovation Hub, the role defines strategic innovation priorities, governs high-impact projects, and drives cross-functional experimentation to transform the donor and plasma value chain. The position oversees the Innovation vertical and works with global stakeholders to deliver measurable business value and operational improvements. It reports to the Head of Business Development & Plasma Affairs. The role provides strategic insight, cross-functional coordination, and structured governance to strengthen innovation capabilities across Plasma Procurement, enhance donor engagement and operational performance, and support adoption of new technologies. It is based at the Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina, or Boca Raton, Florida, corporate office, with a hybrid mix of remote work and in-office collaboration. The manager leads the Innovation Manager and the Innovation Hub, setting priorities and supporting capability development. The role also represents the Innovation vertical in internal forums, steering committees, and leadership reviews, and advises on innovation governance, funding models, and organizational capability building.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Innovation, Business, Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field.
At least 8 years of experience in innovation, strategy, and project management roles.
Ability to connect innovation to long-term business priorities.
Strong knowledge of customer-centric methodologies such as Design Thinking, Service Design, and Customer Journey Mapping, and of innovation strategy frameworks.
Project management experience, including planning, execution, monitoring, and stakeholder reporting.
Excellent facilitation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity and work in cross-functional environments.
Excellent analytical and financial modeling skills.
Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.
Demonstrated ability to balance creativity with execution and strategy with operational realities.
English proficiency.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or MBA.
Experience in complex, regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, or biotechnology.
Experience in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, or life sciences.
Familiarity with regulated environments and stakeholder alignment.
Proficiency in additional languages, such as Spanish or German.

Responsibilities

Lead the Plasma Innovation Hub and define its strategic innovation roadmap in alignment with enterprise priorities and the Business Development & Plasma Affairs transformation agenda.
Govern the end-to-end innovation portfolio, ensuring initiatives deliver measurable value, scalability, and alignment with long-term business goals.
Identify emerging trends, technologies, and market opportunities that can advance plasma procurement efficiency, donor experience, and operational excellence.
Provide senior thought partnership on innovation strategy, experimentation models, and future-state design.
Direct the Discover, Define, Develop, and Test phases of innovation projects.
Lead user research, donor insights analysis, stakeholder engagement, and market exploration to define opportunities and strategic problem statements.
Establish KPI frameworks, performance measurement systems, and governance processes to ensure transparency, quality, and business alignment.
Translate insights into strategic recommendations and scale-up strategies for consideration by the Business Development & Plasma Affairs department and leadership teams.
Lead and mentor the Innovation Manager, setting priorities and supporting capability development and governance discipline.
Build a culture of experimentation, agility, and continuous improvement within Plasma Procurement.
Facilitate cross-functional collaboration across Plasma Procurement and with key stakeholders.
Represent the Innovation vertical in internal forums, steering committees, and leadership reviews.
Lead market research, donor journey analysis, and competitive assessment to inform innovation and service development.
Partner with Donor Care, Marketing, and Operations to identify needs, pain points, experience gaps, and service offerings that can strengthen donor loyalty and retention.
Embed donor-centric methodologies, including Service Design, Design Thinking, and Journey Mapping, across innovation initiatives.
Research customer needs, preferences, and pain points; analyze competitive landscapes and identify opportunities for differentiation.
Provide foresight on industry shifts, regulatory changes, and technology trends affecting the plasma landscape.
Develop business cases, financial models, and strategic briefs to inform executive decision-making.
Advise on innovation-related governance, funding models, and organizational capability building.
Perform other duties as assigned by managers or supervisors.