AI Innovation Manager

Syensqo is all about chemistry. We’re not just referring to chemical reactions here, but also to the magic that occurs when the brightest minds get to work together. This is where our true strength lies. In you. In your future colleagues and in all your differences. And of course, in your ideas to improve lives while preserving our planet’s beauty for the generations to come.

Syensqo is undergoing a major transformation where digital and AI technologies are fundamental to creating differentiated value and enabling a more agile, knowledge-powered organization. Within this context, Syensqo.ai—our internal AI startup—is mandated to deliver fast, responsible, high-impact innovation that advances our competitive edge and supports all business units and functions.

We are looking for:

• As AI Innovation Manager, you will play a critical role in accelerating Syensqo’s AI innovation pipeline. Reporting directly to the Head of Syensqo.ai, you will focus on identifying emerging opportunities, cultivating partnerships (startups, academia, hyperscalers, ecosystem players), and working closely with R&I teams to turn cutting-edge advances into scalable business value.
• You will explore and validate AI-enabled business models, assess external technologies, support incubation initiatives, and coordinate innovation programs that feed into the broader Syensqo AI strategy. Your work will help shape the company’s future portfolio of AI-driven growth engines.
• This role requires high curiosity, strong strategic thinking, a structured innovation mindset, and the ability to connect dots across internal experts, external innovators, business challenges, and emerging AI capabilities.

We count on you for:

Innovation Scouting & Startup Mapping

• Continuously scan the external landscape for innovative AI technologies, startups, research centers, and emerging business models.

• Build and maintain a structured mapping of potential partners, categorized by maturity, relevance, technical differentiation, and strategic fit.

• Lead the evaluation, due diligence, and selection of innovation opportunities in collaboration with Syensqo.ai leadership and relevant business stakeholders.

Collaboration with R&I and Technical Communities

• Work closely with Research & Innovation teams to align on future technology needs and identify opportunities where AI can accelerate discovery, formulation, materials science, and lab productivity.

• Translate scientific or technical challenges into AI innovation opportunities in partnership with internal experts.

• Facilitate joint experimentation with R&I, including PoCs and feasibility studies.

Ecosystem Partnerships & Strategic Alliances

• Strengthen and coordinate relationships with core partners (e.g., cloud providers, AI labs, academic institutions, technology accelerators).

• Act as the innovation liaison for ongoing collaborations, ensuring continuous value generation and aligned roadmaps.

• Represent Syensqo.ai in external innovation forums and communities.

AI-Enabled Business Models & Strategic Foresight

• Identify and assess potential AI-enabled revenue models, service offerings, or operational breakthroughs relevant to Syensqo’s strategic goals.

• Conduct market and competitive analyses to support the creation of differentiated business value.

• Provide insights to the Product Managers and broader Syensqo.ai team to help guide product strategy and prioritization.

Incubation & Value Acceleration

• Support internal teams in designing and piloting new AI-driven concepts, ensuring fast learning cycles and measurable outcomes.

• Coordinate cross-functional squads where needed to accelerate testing of high-potential innovation opportunities.

• Structure learnings and recommendations to guide scale-up decisions.

Communication & Thought Leadership

• Support the internal and external communication of innovation outcomes, success stories, and technology insights.

• Contribute to fostering a culture of AI innovation across Syensqo through demos, workshops, learning sessions, and collaborations.

Key Stakeholder Interactions

• Close daily collaboration with the Head of Syensqo.ai and the Syensqo.ai leadership team.

• Frequent engagement with R&I, business units, industrial teams, and corporate functions to understand needs and opportunities.

• Interaction with external partners, startups, AI labs, and strategic ecosystems.

• Coordination with Product Managers to ensure innovation insights feed into product roadmaps and vice versa.
  
  

You will bring:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Innovation Management, Business, or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in innovation, technology scouting, venture building, digital strategy, or AI-focused roles.

• Strong understanding of AI and Generative AI technologies (e.g., GPT, Mistral, Gemini, Llama) and their applications in industrial and scientific environments.

• Experience working with startups, incubators, research networks, or corporate innovation programs.

• Familiarity with R&D workflows or scientific processes is a strong plus.

• Experience evaluating emerging technologies and translating them into business impact.

• Fluent in English; additional languages would be an asset.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Visionary and curious mindset, with the ability to “think 10X” and challenge assumptions.

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking, capable of structuring ambiguous opportunities.

• Excellent relationship-building skills and the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.

• Entrepreneurial and “hunter” mindset with high adaptability and speed of execution.

• Ability to communicate complex ideas simply, clearly, and persuasively.

• Comfort navigating between scientific, technical, and business domains.
  
  

You can count on us:

• Join Syensqo.ai at a pivotal moment of transformation and play a central role in shaping the future of AI innovation across Syensqo.

• Operate in a startup-like environment with agility, autonomy, and the opportunity to make visible impact.

• Engage with a rich ecosystem of innovators, researchers, and partners around the world.

You will get:

• Competitive salary and benefits package

• 16, or more, weeks of maternity/paternity and co-parenting leave, according to local regulations

• Training platform for all employees

• Free language courses (24 languages available)

• Free well-being sessions (physical and psychological)

Additional Information

• Location: HQ, Belgium

• Smart working flexibility

• Occasional travel for events, meetings, or site visits may be required.

About us

• Syensqo is a science company developing groundbreaking solutions that enhance the way we live, work, travel and play. Inspired by the scientific councils which Ernest Solvay initiated in 1911, we bring great minds together to push the limits of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers, with a diverse, global team of more than 13,000 associates. Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices and health care applications. Our innovation power enables us to deliver on the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies that advance humanity.
• At Syensqo, we seek to promote unity and not uniformity. We value the diversity that individuals bring and we invite you to consider a future with us, regardless of background, age, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ability or identity. We encourage individuals who may require any assistance or accommodations to let us know to ensure a seamless application experience. We are here to support you throughout the application journey and want to ensure all candidates are treated equally. If you are unsure whether you meet all the criteria or qualifications listed in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.