Position Summary: Innovation Lead
Impact Hub Network is looking for an Innovation Lead to drive the Innovation OKR under the 2026–2030 roadmap.
The Innovation Lead will design and operationalise a methodology to identify, validate, codify, and replicate high-performing innovations, such as services, products, and business models, from local Impact Hubs.
This role sits in the recently launched Business Innovation Lab and reports to the Global Innovation & Impact Director. This position will also work cross-functionally with Business Development, Brand & Communications, and Impact Hubs across our network.
This is a senior systems-building and portfolio leadership role — focused on transforming local business cases into scalable, revenue-generating network-wide assets.
Our Vision on Innovation
Innovation across the Impact Hub Network has historically emerged organically — through entrepreneurial experimentation at the local level. While this has produced outstanding programmes, services, and revenue models, replication across the network has been inconsistent and largely ad hoc.
Under the new roadmap, innovation shall become systematic, scalable, impactful and revenue-generating.
We are shifting:
- From isolated pilots → to structured replication
- From local excellence → to network-wide productisation
- From experimentation → to scalable business models
- From one-off innovation → to global business engines
The Innovation Lead plays a critical role in building the governance, incentives, and systems required to scale proven Impact Hub solutions globally.
Key Responsibilities
1. Innovation Portfolio Identification
- Identify high-performing Impact Hub–developed products, services, and programmatic models with replication potential.
- Develop clear selection criteria (impact performance, financial viability, transferability).
- Build and manage a portfolio of scalable solutions.
- Work closely with originating Hubs to align on intellectual property, sharing incentives and scaling models.
2. Codification & Methodology Design
- Develop and test a structured Scaling Methodology, including: Replication principles, governance models, licensing or revenue-sharing mechanisms, quality assurance standards, and incentive frameworks for originating and adopting Hubs
- Create practical replication toolkits (playbooks, pricing models, delivery manuals, training assets).
- Ensure comparability and quality across markets while allowing contextual adaptation.
3. Revenue & Business Model Development
- Support the design business models to support the product scaling.
- Develop pricing frameworks and margin structures.
- Align incentives between originating Hubs, adopting Hubs, and the Global network.
- Ensure replication that contributes meaningfully to the Network’s financial sustainability.
4. Network Enablement & Governance
- Co-design governance mechanisms to manage solution ownership and replication rights.
- Facilitate agreements between Impact Hubs.
- Create internal communication strategies to encourage uptake.
- Build peer-learning mechanisms.
- Establish quality control and performance monitoring processes.
5. Impact Measurement & Learning
- Work closely with the Impact Measurement team to define impact metrics across replicated solutions.
- Integrate impact and revenue tracking into the innovation portfolio management.
- Refine the scaling methodology based on evidence and learnings.
6. Program Management
- Lead program design and setup, including capacity planning, onboarding, and alignment on scope, budget, and implementation
- Monitor program milestones, budgets, financial performance, and risks, driving timely resolution of delivery or quality issues.
- Lead scope adjustments and renegotiations where required, ensuring operational feasibility and contractual alignment.
- Oversee compliance with contractual and reporting requirements, ensuring accurate and timely reporting to partners and internal stakeholders.
- Work closely with Account Managers to maintain alignment between partnership commitments and delivery realities.
What would success look like?
The Global Innovation Portfolio intends to achieve in a 3-year roadmap:
- EUR 2 million in revenue generated through replicated solutions
- Minimum of 3-4 proven solutions successfully replicated in multiple regions
- A codified scaling methodology adopted by the network, including governance and incentive models
- Proven increased network revenue diversification
- A measurable impact growth linked to replicated products
Are we a match?
We are looking for a strategic systems thinker who understands both entrepreneurship and network governance.
You are comfortable:
- Turning successful pilots into scalable business models
- Designing governance and business incentive structures
- Balancing decentralisation with quality standards
- Driving adoption across diverse regions and cultures
- Aligning revenue growth alongside impact goals
You combine commercial acumen with impact. You are pragmatic, analytical, and able to build trust across a diverse global network.
Key skills and experience
- 8–10+ years of experience in innovation scaling, productisation, venture building, or programmatic replication.
- Proven experience designing and implementing scalable business models.
- Strong understanding of revenue modelling and financial performance tracking.
- Experience working within global settings.
- Ability to design governance and incentive mechanisms.
- Experience with participatory methodologies, design thinking or user centric design.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills.
- Analytical mindset with experience using data to refine strategy.
- Fluency in English required.
Preferred:
- Previous experience in venture builders or own entrepreneurial success
- Experience in social innovation ecosystems, co-working networks, or entrepreneurial support organisations
Job specification summary
- Position level: Lead
- Legal Form: Independent Contractor if outside of Austria; employment if based in Austria; VAT registration required where applicable.
- Starting Date: As soon as possible
- Engagement: Full-time (1 FTE – 40 hours per week) with a flexible working schedule
- Contract length: Undetermined period contract; 3 months probationary period
- Location: Global. Candidates can be based in any geography, ideally within an existing Impact Hub or closely connected to the network. Availability to set up a working schedule in GMT+-3 hours is preferred.
- Remuneration: 3,800 – 5,100 EUR monthly (total cost to company as an independent contractor), COLA-adjusted based on country of residence and commensurate with experience.
- Reporting: Direct report to the Global Impact and Innovation Director
- Paid holidays: 25 days of paid time off annually and local public holidays
- Allowances and other contributions: Monthly allowance for use of own equipment; Impact Hub membership and workplace access where applicable; other work-related expenses on a needs basis; access to all company systems and collaboration tools.
- Citizenship/visa: Impact Hub GmbH will not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must hold the appropriate work authorization for their country of residence.
Application process
Please send your application by 19th March 2026 at this link (including CV and cover letter) or via email to corina.stefan@impacthub.net and nayla.attas@impacthub.net
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and only selected candidates will be contacted for the interview phase. The recruitment process may include two interview rounds and a short practical assessment aligned with the responsibilities of the role.
Our commitment to inclusion
Impact Hub welcomes people from all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, colour, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, gender identity, or expression.
We recognise that candidates from marginalised or underrepresented groups may apply only if they meet 100% of the criteria, while others apply with fewer matches. If you feel this role aligns with your experience and aspirations, we strongly encourage you to apply.
About Impact Hub Network
Impact Hub is a global network of 120+ Impact Hubs, with over 500,000 Impact Makers driving change through impact entrepreneurship. Active in 65+ countries across five continents, the Impact Hub Network drives inclusive and sustainable innovation at scale through entrepreneurial action. Through its work, Impact Hub supports social innovators, connects strategic allies, and bridges solutions with large organisations, investors, and public institutions to build better businesses for people and planet. For more information, visit our global website or LinkedIn.
