Senior Manager Corporate Development - Innovation Management (m/f/d)

This role will drive a sustainable innovation culture across the organization by identifying, evaluating, and shaping scientific and business opportunities with the potential to become future strategic growth initiatives. By leading cross-functional ideation processes, managing early-stage innovation projects, and translating scientific insights into actionable business recommendations, the position ensures that high‑potential initiatives – including those outside existing business units, at very early maturity stages, or requiring dedicated funding – are guided toward viable, scalable outcomes.

Your responsibilities:

• Identify, analyze, and translate scientific ideas – especially biological and medical concepts – into business and market opportunities within Healthcare, Pharma, and MedTech.

• Steer and continuously improve the ideation process, including structuring, prioritizing ideas, and developing sound decision templates.

• Lead and oversee innovation projects from idea generation to handover to Business Units or external partners / acquisitions.

• Guide interdisciplinary project teams, ensuring alignment across interfaces and adherence to budget and timeline constraints.

• Conduct market, competitive, and scientific analyses (desk research) and derive strategic recommendations.

• Build and maintain internal and external networks, including outreach across relevant markets.

• Participate in external innovation forums to bring new impulses into the organization.

• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary stakeholders (e.g., Science, Medicine, Finance, Strategy, M&A).

• Prepare reports, presentations, and decision documents for Senior Leadership.

• Continuously develop innovation processes, methods, and governance structures; plan and moderate workshops and events.

Your qualifications:

• University degree in Biology, Medical Sciences, Life Sciences, or Healthcare Management with strong biological / medical expertise; a PhD is an advantage

• Deep understanding of biological and medical fundamentals (“Basic Science”) and ability to translate scientific insights into business and strategic contexts

• Several years of relevant professional experience in at least one of the following: pharmaceutical industry, MedTech, healthcare (e.g., hospitals, insurers), or healthcare consulting

• Experience with healthcare data and / or health services research topics

• Proven track record in early-stage innovation or project management, particularly in evaluating and structuring ideas

• Strong skills in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and in scientific, market, or strategic desk research

• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with strong analytical abilities and a structured, solution-oriented work style

• Very good command of English; German and / or Spanish is an advantage; willingness to be present in the office approximately 3 days per week.

Drive the future of Innovation Management — join #futurefresenius and apply now through our online portal to make an impact!