📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Manager, Open Innovation – Mobile eXperience Partnerships
🔹 Company: Samsung Research America
🔹 Location: 665 Clyde Avenue, Mountain View, CA, USA
🔹 Job Type: On-site
🔹 Category: Software Development
🔹 Date Posted: April 9, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Identifying and incubating innovative external technologies to accelerate Samsung's development and market position
- Proactively creating partnership and investment opportunities with breakthrough technologies
- Driving technical and business processes to validate and commercialize new technologies in Samsung's existing products
- Maintaining a strong pulse on the market to find the next big thing
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong industry knowledge, and excellent communication skills to effectively navigate the startup landscape and drive partnerships.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Keep a pulse on market trends, advances in core technology, and university research across multiple technology categories relevant to Samsung’s Mobile eXperience (MX) business
✅ Navigate the North America startup landscape to target partnership and investment opportunities in Samsung’s mobile and wearable device ecosystem, and identify new markets Samsung MX should enter to deliver new and exciting value to consumers
✅ Foster relationships with external technology startups, VCs, accelerators, incubators and universities to find breakthrough innovations and effectively communicate their value proposition to Samsung MX R&D teams and executives globally
✅ Be the primary liaison between partners and Samsung by leading the discussions, facilitating evaluations, and driving POCs with an eye towards partnership, commercialization, investment, and/or M&A. Be the internal champion for partner’s strategic goals and vision and advocate their needs to stakeholders ensuring awareness and understanding through effective communication
✅ Coordinate cross-functional and cross-geo team activities, setting project milestones, and motivating teams to meet project timelines and deliverables
✅ Proactively address ambiguity through strategic thinking followed by tactical execution
✅ Form a clear understanding of team priorities to balance urgent vs. daily activities
✅ Proactively build concepts and define new consumer experiences through partners
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration and stakeholder management, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills to succeed.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in technology or engineering discipline required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, and post-graduate (MS or MBA) degree strongly preferred
Experience: 10+ years of professional experience in a technology company, with at least 4+ years experience in a technology development (software or hardware), venture capital and/or corporate development role for mobile and/or wearable products
Required Skills:
- Deep industry knowledge in at least one core deep tech vertical, including but not limited to: AI, Digital Health/Fitness, AR/XR, Sensors, IoT, Computer Vision, and wireless technologies (e.g. 5G)
- Ability to evaluate core technologies with technical depth and transform complex technical information into a clear, concise messaging that can be easily understood by various levels in the organization
- Effective interpersonal and relationship management skills
- Ability to identify and source promising emerging technology startups by leveraging a robust personal network within the industry, venture capital community, and startup ecosystem
- Experience in leading complex, multi-team and cross-geographic projects to success
- Excellent written, verbal communications and presentation skills
- Ability to deal with ambiguity associated with working in a fast-paced and changing environment
- Must be willing to travel domestically and internationally (20%)
Preferred Skills:
- Positive attitude and energy, persistence, and flexibility
- Great communication skills: clear, patient, and well adapted to the audience and situation
- Analytical skills to formulate and present structured, objective recommendations and respond to challenges and objections
- Personal skills to plan, organize, and prioritize multiple assignments and delivery on tight schedules
- Ability to position and sell technology to executive audiences
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, a strong understanding of Samsung's product ecosystem and a proven track record in driving partnerships and innovation are highly desirable for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $197,800 - $296,600 USD per year
Benefits:
- Annual bonus eligibility
- Generous benefits package
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Samsung Research America operates in the Software Development industry, focusing on research and development of emerging technologies to enhance Samsung's products and services.
Company Size: Samsung Research America has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a large and diverse work environment with ample opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Founded: Samsung Research America was founded in 1988, with a strong history in the Bay Area and a global presence today.
Company Description:
- Samsung Research America (SRA) is responsible for researching emerging technology to create new businesses and developing core technology to enhance the competitiveness of Samsung products.
- SRA also plays a key role in providing the infrastructure to support Samsung’s open innovation and university collaboration activities.
- With headquarters in Silicon Valley and offices across the United States and Canada, SRA is committed to driving innovation and growth for Samsung.
Company Specialties:
- Scientific Research and Development Services
- Computer Hardware
- Computer Software
- MPS
- Think Tank Team
- Digital Health
- Research Science
- Design
- UX/UI
- NEON
- SRA
- AI
- Project Management
- Human Resources
- Video Display
- Mobile
- and Bixby
Company Website: https://www.sra.samsung.com/
ASSUMPTION: Samsung Research America is a well-established organization with a strong focus on innovation and collaboration, providing a dynamic work environment for employees.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, requiring a high degree of expertise and strategic decision-making.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Manager, Open Innovation – Mobile eXperience Partnerships will likely report directly to the Head of Open Innovation or a similar executive role within Samsung Research America.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with a requirement to travel domestically and internationally up to 20% of the time.
Growth Opportunities:
- As a senior manager, there may be opportunities to lead larger teams or take on more strategic roles within Samsung Research America or the broader Samsung organization.
- With a strong track record in driving partnerships and innovation, candidates may also have the opportunity to move into executive roles or take on more strategic responsibilities.
- Samsung's global presence provides opportunities for international assignments or relocation, depending on business needs and individual preferences.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a substantial impact on Samsung's mobile and wearable product ecosystem.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Samsung Research America's headquarters in Mountain View, CA, features a modern, collaborative work environment designed to foster innovation and creativity.
Office Location(s): 665 Clyde Avenue, Mountain View, CA, USA
Geographic Context:
- Mountain View is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, providing easy access to the region's thriving tech industry and vibrant culture.
- The area offers a diverse range of housing options, excellent schools, and numerous recreational opportunities.
- Mountain View is well-connected by public transportation, with easy access to San Francisco and other major cities in the Bay Area.
Work Schedule: The work schedule for this role is full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with some flexibility for remote work as needed.
ASSUMPTION: The Mountain View office provides a dynamic and collaborative work environment, with ample opportunities for networking and professional growth.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the provided link
- Phone or video screening to assess qualifications and cultural fit
- On-site or virtual interview with hiring manager and/or team members
- Final round interview with senior leadership or executive team
Key Assessment Areas:
- Industry knowledge and expertise in mobile and wearable technologies
- Ability to evaluate core technologies and communicate their value proposition effectively
- Relationship management and stakeholder communication skills
- Project management and leadership abilities
- Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, changing environment
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of Samsung's mobile and wearable product ecosystem and the competitive landscape
- Showcase your ability to identify and source promising emerging technology startups and evaluate their potential for partnership or investment
ATS Keywords: Mobile eXperience, Partnerships, Open Innovation, Startups, Venture Capital, Corporate Development, AI, Digital Health, AR/XR, Sensors, IoT, Computer Vision, Wireless Technologies, Project Management, Stakeholder Communication
ASSUMPTION: Samsung Research America's recruitment process is designed to assess candidates' technical expertise, industry knowledge, and cultural fit for the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, candidates should be comfortable using common productivity, project management, and data analysis tools to succeed in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation: Samsung Research America fosters a culture of innovation and continuous learning
- Collaboration: The organization values teamwork and cross-functional collaboration to drive success
- Integrity: Samsung Research America is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in all aspects of its business
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced work environment, with a focus on driving results and delivering value to Samsung's products and customers
- Strong emphasis on strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Opportunities for international travel and collaboration with global teams
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of driving partnerships and innovation in the mobile and wearable technology space?
- Are you comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a high degree of ambiguity?
- Do you possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively manage relationships with external partners and internal stakeholders?
ASSUMPTION: Samsung Research America values candidates who are strategic thinkers, strong communicators, and effective collaborators, with a passion for driving innovation in the mobile and wearable technology space.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a high volume of partnerships and investment opportunities, requiring strong prioritization and time management skills
- Navigating a complex and ever-changing technology landscape, with a need to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and advancements
- Balancing the demands of internal stakeholders and external partners, requiring strong communication and negotiation skills
- Working with a diverse range of technologies and teams, requiring adaptability and flexibility
ASSUMPTION: While this role offers significant opportunities for growth and impact, it also presents unique challenges that require strong leadership, communication, and project management skills to succeed.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other senior manager roles in open innovation or corporate development, this role places a greater emphasis on industry-specific knowledge and expertise in mobile and wearable technologies
- In the broader context of the technology industry, this role requires a strong understanding of the mobile and wearable technology ecosystem, as well as the competitive landscape and emerging trends
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into more strategic or executive roles within Samsung Research America or the broader Samsung organization, or transitioning into a similar role within another large technology company
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic decision-making, industry-specific expertise, and stakeholder management, providing a strong foundation for career growth and development.
📝 Sample Projects
- Identifying and evaluating emerging AI technologies for integration into Samsung's mobile and wearable product ecosystem
- Partnering with a digital health startup to develop and launch a new fitness tracking feature for Samsung's wearable devices
- Collaborating with an AR/XR startup to create immersive experiences for Samsung's mobile devices, enhancing the user experience and driving customer engagement
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and innovative nature of the work required in this role, with a focus on driving value for Samsung's mobile and wearable products and customers.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current state of Samsung's mobile and wearable product ecosystem, and how this role fits into the organization's long-term strategy?
- How does Samsung Research America support and collaborate with internal teams to drive partnerships and innovation?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Samsung Research America approach and manage relationships with external partners, and what are the expectations for this role in that regard?
- What opportunities exist for growth and development within Samsung Research America or the broader Samsung organization for someone in this role?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in and understanding of the role, as well as your commitment to driving success for Samsung Research America and its partners.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link: https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/samsungresearchamerica/jobs/7950442002
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, with a focus on your industry knowledge and expertise in mobile and wearable technologies
- Prepare examples of your past projects or initiatives that demonstrate your ability to identify, evaluate, and drive partnerships with external innovations
- Be ready to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into your overall professional development plan
- Follow up with the recruiter or hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application and express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
