Job Description
Join Horizon Labs at the forefront of tomorrow's solutions. We're seeking a visionary Futurist & Innovation Director to architect our roadmap for 2026 and beyond. This pivotal role bridges cutting-edge research with actionable business strategy, driving transformation in sustainable technology and human-centric design. Lead cross-functional teams to prototype breakthrough innovations while maintaining alignment with our core mission: Creating a better future, today.
Our Austin headquarters features state-of-the-art labs and flexible workspaces designed to foster creativity. You'll collaborate with industry pioneers and have access to our $50M innovation fund for prototyping and market testing.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the 2026+ innovation roadmap through horizon scanning and trend analysis
- Lead cross-functional teams in prototyping breakthrough technologies (AI, biotech, quantum computing)
- Drive strategic partnerships with academic institutions and R&D labs
- Present visionary insights to C-suite executives and board members
- Manage the innovation pipeline from ideation to market validation
- Champion human-centered design principles in all innovation initiatives
- Monitor emerging technologies and regulatory landscapes affecting 2026+ markets
Qualifications
- Master's degree in Futuristics, Innovation Management, or related field (PhD preferred)
- 8+ years in strategic innovation or futures research leadership
- Proven track record of launching disruptive technologies to market
- Deep expertise in emerging tech trends (AI, biotech, quantum, Web3)
- Exceptional storytelling and executive communication skills
- Experience managing innovation budgets exceeding $5M
- Certification in Futures Studies or Innovation Management (e.g., CFIP, CPSM)
- Portfolio of published trend analyses or innovation frameworks