M5 - Executive Director, Strategy and Portfolio (m/f/d)

A Career at HARMAN
As a technology leader that is rapidly on the move, HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation, inclusivity and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together, you’ll discover that at HARMAN you can grow, make a difference and be proud of the work you do every day.

About the Role

You will set, maintain and drive execution of the overall Strategic Business Unit Intelligent Cockpit (SBU IC) strategy to deliver on the goals of the overall Automotive Division.  Thought leader within the SBU IC being the point person for assessing strategic initiatives at all levels and developing impactful strategies to achieve the IC goals. Interface to all Harman strategy teams.

Your Team

You will lead a team of up to 10 team members. As an integral part of SBU IC, your team will lead and support the SBU IC’s teams in developing winning strategies and monitor their execution across different products, platforms, project teams and supporting functions.

What You Will Do

Own the strategy practice:

• Define HARMAN’s strategy for the SBU IC and its alignment with the overall Automotive Strategy
• Define a governance model for the strategy practice and establish a regular cadence of reporting progress to HARMAN senior management and board.
• Define milestones and success criteria through metrics and work in close collaboration with multiple businesses within the SBU to drive overall success
• Use market research, data, and insight to understand target audiences, shape strategic thinking and drive tactical execution of this vision. Drive research where appropriate.
• Drive the development, analytics, and presentation of competitive data important to the decision-making process of the Leadership team across the SBU.

Manage a successful portfolio:

• Drive the innovation process in the SBU.
• Lead the portfolio team to establish execution of the strategy and continuously provide health-checks of the strategy deployment.
• Use understanding of the market and technology trends to conceptualize new products that drive a unique in-cabin experience for end consumers

Build and maintain strategic external relationships:

• Build relationships with strategy teams of HARMAN’s customers and represent HARMAN’s Point of View on the future of the SBU.
• Work with partner SBUs on an aligned strategy for the Automotive Division
• Work with M&A team to evaluate potential and proactively identify target M&A opportunities.
• Work with Corp Strategic Alliances team to identify and manage for the Ballance’s and consortia. In addition, work within the SBU to determine strategic alliances and manage them to the benefit of the SBU.
• Build ecosystem of partners that enrich the SBU’s offering through new features and content useful for end consumers.

What You Need

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business administration management, economics, or related fields.
• 15+ years of experience in strategic business planning, product management, business development, and/or sales
• Understanding of current technology and consumer trends, processes and how decisions are being made along the value chain in both, the Consumer electronics and Automotive industry.
• Experience in driving transformation across a global organization
• Strong management, leadership, and communication skills
• Strong analytical experience to be able to track metrics, use research and analytics.
• Creative mindset
• Influence ability to inspire and drive change.
• Fluent English language skills

What is Nice to Have

• MBA and/or Master’s in Engineering.
• Prior experience in a strategy consulting firm.
• Knowledge of modern electronic in vehicle architectures.
• Experience with innovation in Asia, including China.
• Further language skills such as German, Chinese, or Korean

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 25%, domestic and international travel.
• Be willing to work in an office in North America or Germany.
• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment.

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location.
• Access to employee discounts on world-class HARMAN and Samsung products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, etc.)
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University.
• Competitive wellness benefits.
• Access to HARMAN Campus Fitness Center and Cafeteria.
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.