Fugro is a geo-consultancy firm dedicated to creating a safe and livable world. They design, build, and operate assets safely and sustainably for their clients. The Innovation Director will develop and deliver on a technology-driven innovation vision for Fugro in Europe to continue providing cutting-edge solutions that positively impact the planet. 

About Fugro

Advising on how to develop energy transition and climate adaptation infrastructure; assessing maintenance needs; or helping the marine industry reach their Net Zero targets. These are examples of how Fugro has become the global leader in geo-consulting.

Geo-data is the information about the earth’s surface, subsurface, and everything built on it. Fugro acquires geo-data from planes, trains, cars, boats, submarines, and robots, anywhere on the planet, and even in the harshest and most remote areas. Their specialized geo-engineers and geologists then analyze this data and build 3D simulation models to advise clients in the water, energy, and infrastructure sectors.

Fugro is the only organization that can collect and analyze data at this scale and level of complexity. They are very purpose-driven and want to lead the way for global industries to achieve energy transition, safe infrastructures, urban and coastal resilience, and protect the natural environment. 

“We support clients to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions and strengthen climate resilience. For our own operations, Fugro aims to be carbon neutral by 2035, by investing in the decarbonization of our vessels and equipment. – Mark Heine, CEO of Fugro

At Fugro, around ten thousand people across fifty-nine countries support a broad range of clients. They are a publicly traded company with headquarters in Leidschendam, The Netherlands.

Fugro is committed to maintaining its lead position as the most innovative data firm worldwide. They’ve achieved this level of success by heavily focusing on their people and technology. And Fugro continuously optimizes its client portfolio and explores new markets, innovations, and business models.

Job description: Innovation Director – Europe

Fugro is achieving its vision to create a safe and livable world by focusing on the most vital global trends: energy transitions, climate change adaptation, and resilient infrastructure. The Innovation Director will develop thought leadership for each of these pillars for the European market. They will actively communicate, internally and externally, a compelling vision to show how new technology trends in the market dovetail into opportunities for Fugro’s product portfolio and client operations.

With Innovations Directors for Asia Pacific and the Americas as peers, the Innovation Director – Europe reports to the Global Innovation Director, who reports to the Executive Board. This role is responsible for product design and delivery – including relevant components like setting and guarding roadmaps and aligning stakeholders. They will lead a department of 250 engineers, scientists, product owners, and innovation managers as well as other roles across Europe. Together they deliver products in geospatial mapping, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, computer vision, robotics, space automation, and real-time data acquisition platforms. They work closely with experts in business, product management, marketing, and technology.

” How is the energy transition unfolding? Which groundbreaking technologies are emerging? What problems need to be solved to allow our clients to significantly reduce their environmental impact? And how should this influence the direction of our product portfolio? The Innovation Director will develop a strategy, and deliver the outcomes on these and other questions.” – Pawel Michalak, Global Innovation Director of Fugro

Sustainability efforts are demand-driven, and also are often supply-driven for the sectors where Fugro is active. Their priority is to develop impactful and innovative solutions, and then inspire and advise clients. This is one area of ​​responsibility for the Innovation Director. They will drive a culture of innovation across the European organization, and coach and mentor colleagues to be impactful and effective in the innovation domain. They will also approach clients, partners, universities, and other external stakeholders, initiate dialogues, and then collaborate and gather input. That’s why this role is both internally and externally oriented, and often client-facing.

The Innovation Director has ample experience and a proven track record in leading large innovative organizations and projects in relevant sectors. They are knowledgeable on at least one large sustainability-related topic, such as energy transition. As an experienced leader, they support the team in implementing engineering best practices and building a culture of innovative thinking, knowledge sharing, and predictable delivery.

A key responsibility for this role is to build a creative, inspired, and efficient organization that enables Fugro to deliver new products. The Innovation Director knows how to lead a department of 250 experts, navigate within a multinational company, communicate across all levels of the organization, and create an effective leadership team.

This is a unique opportunity for a strategic leader with an academic background in technology, such as instance engineering or industrial design. They develop and implement ambitious innovations that serve clients and ensure a safe and livable planet. This role can contribute to society’s greatest challenges on a global scale, while inspiring thousands more as a role model. 

Interested?

Fugro is working with Top of Minds to fill this vacancy.
To express your interest, please contact Stephanie Stuit at stephanie.stuit@topofminds.com .