Lead Specialist, Innovation Portfolio

About the role

Ma'aden, a major multi-commodity mining and metals company in the Middle East, is hiring a Lead Specialist, Innovation Portfolio in Riyadh. The role maximizes the value of innovation investments by establishing a structured, transparent and strategically aligned innovation portfolio, ensuring initiatives are prioritized, governed and managed so they support long-term growth, operational excellence and transformation.

Key responsibilities

• Set up and strengthen innovation portfolio governance, prioritization models and investment criteria, and align investments with business strategy and transformation priorities
• Evaluate opportunities against strategic fit, value, risk, scalability and feasibility, and build business cases and recommendations for funding and allocation
• Maintain a balanced portfolio across short-, medium- and long-term horizons, and define performance frameworks and value-realization measures
• Monitor innovation performance and benefits, and use insights to optimize the portfolio
• Build and maintain a pipeline of innovation opportunities and emerging technology initiatives, accelerating high-potential concepts through validation and piloting
• Work with Innovation, Technology Operations, Data & AI and business functions to resolve dependencies, resource constraints and execution risks
• Deliver executive-level portfolio reporting and insights that support strategic planning, budgeting and the innovation roadmap

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Technology, Innovation Management or a related field
• 10-12 years of progressive experience in innovation management, strategy execution, technology portfolio management, PMO or transformation environments
• Experience managing complex cross-functional initiatives and supporting strategic investment decisions and portfolio governance
• Experience in mining, industrial, manufacturing, energy or other technology-intensive sectors is preferred

Required skills

• Innovation portfolio management, portfolio governance and stage-gate frameworks
• Strategic prioritization, investment planning and business case development
• Portfolio performance management, executive reporting and dashboarding, budgeting and investment analysis
• Stakeholder management, cross-functional collaboration and influencing

What we offer

• Career growth
• Competitive salaries and a comprehensive package
• Inclusive work environment and work-life balance
• Employee wellness