Fulltime | Essen, Germany

Do you have a passion for innovation, collaboration, and shaping new business opportunities?

As a Corporate Co-Innovation Manager (m/f/d), you will develop and manage strategic partnerships with companies, startups, and relevant stakeholders. You will initiate co-innovation projects, build ecosystems, and shape the future through joint product developments, pilot projects, and innovative programs. With your sense for trends, strong network, and execution power, you will drive sustainable growth and visibility.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Experience in innovation management, business development, partnership management, or a comparable role
• Proven track record in developing and implementing partnerships, co-creation, or consulting projects
• Strong communication, persuasion, and negotiation skills
• Solid understanding of startups, markets, and business models
• Analytical, structured, independent way of working with high self-initiative
• An existing network within the innovation and startup ecosystem is an advantage
• Excellent German and English skills complete your profile

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage and further develop strategic partnerships with companies, startups, and stakeholders
• Identify, plan, and implement co-innovation projects (e.g., consulting, pilot projects, product developments, innovation programs)
• Build and maintain innovation ecosystems with corporate partners
• Conduct market and competitor analyses to identify trends and opportunities early on
• Organize and facilitate strategy and status meetings to ensure goal achievement
• Ensure and measure success indicators (e.g., pilot projects, marketing activities, events, knowledge transfer formats)
• Co-design and implement marketing and communication activities to increase the visibility of partnerships

ABOUT US

The BRYCK Startup Alliance is a joint venture of leading universities, corporates, and investors in the Ruhr region, designed to become a European deep-tech hotspot. With strong academic roots, significant investment power, and a unique ecosystem, the BRYCK Startup Alliance drives innovation, builds scalable ventures, and creates international impact from its home at the Colosseum in Essen.
As one of Germany’s official EXIST Startup Factories, the BRYCK Startup Alliance supports science-based startups in fields such as energy, materials, health, and intelligent systems, helping to turn the Ruhr region into a European innovation hub.
Be part of shaping the future of innovation and startups — we look forward to receiving your application.