Specialist, True Lab

Job Purpose

To drive the development and execution of True Lab's university innovation ecosystem by engaging students, university partners, internal Business Units (BUs), speakers, and mentors to transform early-stage ideas into viable business models and functional prototypes.

The role is responsible for independently planning and managing True Lab activities, student engagement programs, Rapid Ideation workshops, mentoring sessions, and innovation development initiatives from preparation through execution. It requires strong ownership, proactive stakeholder management, continuous follow-up, and the ability to ensure activities are delivered smoothly with minimal supervision.

By connecting university talent with real business challenges and relevant internal expertise, the position supports the development of commercially relevant innovation, strengthens True Lab's university network, and builds a sustainable pipeline of future innovators and solutions for True.

Key Responsibilities

1. True Lab Program & Activity Management(30%) Independently plan, coordinate, and execute True Lab activities across partner universities, including annual activity planning, speaker coordination, agenda/content preparation, timelines, stakeholder communication, operational readiness, and post-activity follow-up. Ensure activities are delivered smoothly and on schedule with minimal supervision.

2. Student Community & University Engagement (20%) Build and actively manage the True Lab student community and university network. Work closely with True Lab Ambassadors, university representatives, and students to drive participation, strengthen engagement, promote programs, and maintain continuous relationships across partner universities.

3. Student Innovation & Business Model Development(30%) Drive assigned student innovation teams from early-stage ideas toward viable business models and functional prototypes. Conduct regular follow-up, challenge business assumptions, track progress, identify gaps, and connect teams with relevant mentors, experts, and BUs.

4. BU & Ecosystem Collaboration (20%) Collaborate with internal BUs, university partners, and external experts to identify business challenges and translate them into innovation themes, student projects, mentoring opportunities, and potential solutions. Proactively coordinate stakeholders and ensure agreed actions are followed through to execution.

Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Innovation, Engineering, Technology, or related fields.
• Master's degree in Business, Management, Innovation, Technology Management, or related fields is preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in innovation program management, startup/student development, university partnership, project management, or related fields.
• Hands-on experience in planning and executing programs, workshops, hackathons, innovation activities, or capability-building programs.
• Experience in business model development, ideation, mentoring, or supporting early-stage innovation projects.
• Proven experience working with multiple stakeholders, preferably across corporate, university, startup, or innovation ecosystems.
• Strong project and program management, with the ability to plan, prioritize, follow up, and drive activities through execution.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Good understanding of innovation processes, Design Thinking/Rapid Ideation, business model development, entrepreneurship, and startup development.
• Ability to engage and mentor students/young talents and facilitate their progression from ideas toward viable business models and prototypes.