Innovation Specialist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Bank Julius Baer has set up a Innovation Ventures unit with the goal to identify and advance high-potential innovation opportunities globally for the Bank. Through a structured, partnership-driven model, the team prioritizes initiatives with a clear path to scale and measurable business impact.

As an Innovation Specialist, you will play a central role in driving the bank’s innovation agenda through proactive ecosystem engagement, structured experimentation, and meaningful collaboration across business and technology on a global scale. In this role, you will lead programs, drive strategic innovation partnerships, scout startups, pilot emerging technologies, and drive storytelling and engagement across the bank to embed innovation at the core of how we work.

The Innovation Specialist will report into the Head, Innovation Ventures. This is a strategic, high-impact role that requires a mix of business acumen, technology literacy, change leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. You will work on strategic initiatives that will support the acceleration of the bank’s AI Transformation.

KEY FEATURES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic Partnership Management & Collaboration

• Support coordination and management of strategic innovation partnerships across the bank’s global innovation corridor
• Explore collaborations with other relevant corporate innovation setups of related financial institutions to find synergies across topics
• Identify and partner with big tech, academia etc. to explore new and un-explored spaces relating to technology

Innovation Programs & AI Education

• Responsible for running innovation activations such as bank supported external Hackathons across the globe
• Lead regional AI education initiatives in collaboration with Julius Baer Academy and external partners to increase adoption of AI tools
• Support global initiatives aimed at driving AI use across the bank

Startup Scouting & Ecosystem Engagement

• Proactively scout global startups, fintechs, and technology partners aligned with strategic themes
• Represent the bank in innovation forums, incubators, accelerators, venture ecosystems, and industry events
• Work with ecosystem partners to increase visibility of the bank within the innovation ecosystem

Communications& Engagement

• Lead strategic communications and storytelling for Innovation topics, ensuring internal and external alignment and visibility
• Drive campaigns, showcase success stories, and foster a culture of innovation across business lines
• Develop new thought leadership through the publication of content such as Whitepapers in collaboration with the business
• Contribute to external-facing publications where relevant

Regulatory Responsibilities &/OR Risk Management

• Work closely with legal & compliance teams to assess regulatory considerations to bring new solutions into the bank
• Demonstration of appropriate values and behaviours including but not limited to standards on honesty and integrity, due care and diligence, fair dealing (treating customers fairly), management of conflicts of interest, competence and continuous development, adequate risk management, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations

SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

Personal and Social

• Strategic and outcome-oriented thinker
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Enthusiastic collaborator and team player with a positive attitude. Ability to articulate your ideas clearly
• Strong conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Operates strategically while executing tactically in a complex, regulated environment
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders across the organisation.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to experiment and iterate quickly

Professional and Technical

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum 6 years of experience in innovation, corporate venture, startup engagement, or digital transformation—preferably within financial services or technology sectors
• Track record of building innovation strategies, running pilots, and engaging external ecosystems with tangible outcomes
• Strong understanding of emerging technology trends including AI, data, fintech, and digital business models
• Familiar with client needs in banking(retail, affluent or private banking), as well as banking platforms
• Hands on experience with product development and innovation methodologies to validate and bring to life new technology solutions and business models
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines
• Track record of developing and implementing engagement and communication strategies that drive business growth and adoption
• Exposure working with startups, incubators, VCs or similar entrepreneurial roles
• Candidates preferred with exposure to Data/Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence, as well as exposure/passion in disruptive business models and new technologies