Operations & Market Research Manager, Innovation Center (Contractor)

LG Electronics NA Innovation Center ("LG NOVA")

LG Electronics established the North America Innovation Center ("LG NOVA") in Santa Clara, California, USA., with an ambitious vision to become the nerve center of global innovation. Aiming to create the future of LG, focusing on disruptive and exponential growth, LG NOVA works with global corporations, startups, governments, and technology stakeholders to create new businesses, establish strategic partnerships, and develop a broad ecosystem using the "outside-in" innovation process.

LG NOVA is looking for an contract Operations and Market Research Manager located at our Innovation Center in Santa Clara, CA. This can by a hybrid position.

Role Overview

The contract Operations & Market Research Manager is a dual-role professional who not only ensures seamless project operations and administrative excellence but also drives market research and customer discovery initiatives. This position will work directly with EIRs and cross-functional teams to integrate real-world insights into operational strategies and strategic decision-making, ensuring that every incubated project is both operationally sound and market-ready.

Key Responsibilities

• Project & Operations Management:




• Collaborate with EIRs to oversee project timelines, deliverables, and resource allocation.
• Manage essential administrative functions including contract processing, expense approvals, meeting schedules, and internal communications.
• Identify, design, and implement process improvements to streamline operations and enhance project efficiency.




• Market Research & Customer Discovery:




• Plan, execute, and analyze market research studies to extract actionable insights.
• Lead customer discovery initiatives by designing surveys, organizing focus groups, and conducting one-on-one user interviews.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, competitive dynamics, and evolving customer needs to provide timely input into strategic decisions.
• Translate research findings into strategic recommendations that influence product development and business strategies.




• Data Integration & Reporting:




• Integrate market intelligence with operational data; construct dashboards and KPIs to measure both operational performance and market success.
• Deliver regular reports and presentations to senior leadership, highlighting operational metrics and insights from customer feedback.
• Establish and monitor performance metrics for engaged projects, ensuring data-driven adaptations as projects evolve.




• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:




• Serve as a key liaison between EIRs, internal teams, and external partners to ensure clear communication and alignment.
• Coordinate with partners or external research agencies to supplement internal data collection as needed.
• Facilitate regular strategy and operations meetings to ensure all stakeholders are informed of progress and challenges.

Qualifications

• Educational Background:




• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Marketing, or a related field.
• A Master's degree or equivalent can be advantageous.




• Experience:




• 5+ years of experience in operations management, project coordination, or similar roles-experience in startup incubations or innovation ecosystems is a strong plus.
• Practical exposure to designing and executing market research studies and customer discovery initiatives.




• Skills:




• Proficiency in project management tools, CRM systems, and data analytics platforms (e.g., Excel, Tableau).
• Strong analytical capabilities with proven experience in translating research data into operational strategy.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information succinctly.
• Adept at multitasking, with a keen eye for detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving.




• Preferred Attributes:




• Entrepreneurial mindset with an enthusiasm for innovation and disruption.
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments and to prioritize in a fast-paced setting.
• Strong collaborative skills with the capacity to work cross-departmentally and manage external stakeholder relationships.

Please Note: this is a contract position, not a direct hire position with LG.

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