Help Identify the job I am describing....

Sharon·Sep 28, 2021

Hello,

I am the CPO and VP of R&D at a small start up.

I am looking to recruit what I would call a "Sparing Partner". That is someone I can brainstorm with all day, discuss and discect the market, identify opportunities, talk to customers and map out moon-shots.

I am having a hard time figuring out what title(s) of roles I should be posting. I feel like it should be something like Head of Innovation? Strategy? Product Development?

We have a product manager, new business team, engineering, sales, product marketing.

I think the closest would be a product manager, but often I see this as someone that can run with an idea, outline the requirements and work with engineering to deliver it. I am looking for someone that's more creative, entrepreneurial, innovative.

Would love any advice and or pointers to roles/descriptions.

Thanks in advance,

Sharon

rachel·Sep 28, 2021

Hey Sharon - just shot you a DM! This is very much my remit & I would be happy to hop on a call and help however I can. :)

BrianaBrownell·Sep 29, 2021

This sounds like a Skunkworks, as in, a completely separate department/role that doesn't report into the regular organization. Usually you'd see it in a larger org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skunkworks_project In a small org, you might not want or need this role full time, but rather it might be an outside consultant or innovation specialist or facilitator that you hire for a specific amount of time.

Sharon·Sep 30, 2021

Thanks! This is a helpful framework.

Ray29·Sep 30, 2021

COO, CoS or inhouse Entrepreneur?

anneke·Sep 30, 2021

Hi Sharon, indeed that sounds to me like a Head of Strategy or Business Development.