Pilot 44
Founded in 2014, Pilot44 has grown to become one of today’s most trusted Disruptive Innovation & Venture-building Studios. We are not a typical digital media or creative agency. We are a global team of builders comprised of entrepreneurs, brand strategists, technologists, and operators, trusted to help our clients see around corners and deliver innovation that touches billions of global consumers.
Working with some of the world’s largest brands, we have consistently pushed the envelope in developing new models of innovation, enabling our clients to more effectively spot emerging opportunities, develop new concepts, and bring new solutions to market in a fraction of the time & costs of traditional models. Our work falls into two broad categories, both of which are rooted in the work of our world-class research and insights team:
- Growth Innovation: We help our clients identify new disruptive growth opportunities and bring new products, services, and entirely new businesses (ventures) to market
- Strategic Capabilities Innovation: We help our clients leverage emerging technologies to build new internal capabilities across primary areas of digital marketing, omnichannel commerce, supply-chain sustainability, consumer engagement, and other key aspects of the value-chain
We are not consultants – we are cofounders. From utilizing neural networks and driving skin care recommendations, to developing and launching an entirely new line of functional beverages, we are not afraid to roll up our sleeves. We are curious entrepreneurs driven by our passion for creating. We value integrity, humility, and, above all, zealousness. If you love to craft compelling narratives about the future, and are fueled by the wild ride of entrepreneurship, we invite you to join us on an extraordinary journey!
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The Director, Venture Strategy reporting to the Principal, Ventures requires a highly-motivated and battle-tested startup employee, entrepreneur, corporate innovator, strategist or storyteller who’s ready to develop creative solutions and roll up their sleeves and get things done. In this role, you’ll function as a “co-founder” in building strategies for new businesses and brands, in collaboration with our corporate clients. Leveraging Pilot44’s venture-building methodology, you will guide new ventures from the research and opportunity area stage through early-market incubation and growth.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Opportunity and Concept Development
- Work directly with corporate clients to understand key business drivers, challenges and future growth opportunities.
- Partner with Pilot44 Research & Brand and Design Strategy team leads to identify key trends and cultural shifts driving white space opportunities, and creative and innovative solution concepts to address consumer needs
- Support consumer validation processes to confirm opportunity, concepts, and solution detail throughout venture development process
- Develop a venture plan narrative rooted in the strategic opportunity and solution that clearly conveys the value of disruptive innovation to clients & executive team sponsors
Operations, GTM & Business Plan Development
- Work with Commercialization team to identify and source necessary operational partners for physical products including supply chain, manufacturing, R&D, distribution and fulfillment (as necessary)
- Develop detailed and creative go-to-market strategies and marketing channel strategy, incorporating a strategic approach to sales/distribution and brand awareness growth aligned to the relevant business channels
- Support the building of a fundable business model and pro forma around the solution concept, sourcing and managing inputs from operations / commercialization strategy, go-to-market and brand strategy, distribution models to inform model
- Determine all required staffing and partners necessary for early operations of the venture, support scoping and project planning for next phase(s) of the venture
Venture Plan Development
- Form and lead a strategic narrative for the venture plan including overseeing relevant research, market, consumer, and other trends
- Work with consumer researchers, brand strategists and designers to develop new concepts and brand foundations from the research and insights gathered.
- Define and support a clear opportunity and solution concept supported by validation, research, and entrepreneurial instinct.
- Manage internal and external stakeholders throughout the process and development of the venture plan, including executives, external agencies, designers and researchers
- Lead and develop iterative versions of the venture plan for internal and external presentations throughout the process to receiving funding or approval
Venture Incubation & Launch
- Partner with the Commercialization team to oversee early-stage incubation and launches for commercialized ventures, leveraging your expertise in brand building to guide foundational brand & business development and early stage growth
- Ensure that the brand, operations, and GTM workstreams of commercialization are aligned to the strategy of the venture, driving cohesion from the venture design stage through the commercialization phase
ABOUT YOU
- 10 years’ experience working in early stage startups or entrepreneurial experience with demonstrated success in launching and growing new consumer products, brands or businesses.
- The ideal candidate has launched new brands or created new products, and led the development of a brand from idea to execution, with demonstrated experience in Go-to-Market strategy, digital or product marketing, brand strategy or other relevant fields
- Experience working in a consultative role on complex projects and with corporate executives with stellar client management skills.
- Expert storyteller with 5+ years crafting compelling and highly strategic stories for senior leadership buy-in.
- A solid grasp of business fundamentals, and an ability to articulate the value of a service and product in alignment with clients’ businesses
- A deep understanding and experience with the start-up business / product development process including design strategy, venture pitch development, solution development, go-to-market planning, and incubating
- Demonstrated ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial environment with limited supervision (including proactively seeking guidance when needed). You are a self-starter with superior work ethic and personal integrity.
- Must be comfortable with ambiguity and be willing to do whatever is required to make the business successful. This role will “wear many hats” throughout the venture process.
- Bias towards action and ownership with strong commitments to accuracy and speed in equal measure.
- Wants to be part of a highly collaborative team, where we all aim to win together
- A strong commercial acumen and comfortability speaking up against popular opinion when needed
- BA/BS degree (Masters or higher a plus).
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US
- Possibilities to do what you do best and to develop your skills even further
- A culture of excellence working with passionate and committed colleagues
- A fast-paced and dynamic startup environment
- Autonomy and the room to make decisions
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical / dental / vision, PTO that increases over time, and 401k with an employer contribution
- An excellent salary based on experience
- A great culture for the fun and curious