Upstream Marketing Director, FEI - Remote
Solventum, Loughborough, England, United Kingdom
Job Description
Solventum is a new healthcare company with a legacy of solving big challenges. The Upstream Marketing Director, Front-end Innovation will shape and execute the franchise “Build” strategy, building a strong front‑end pipeline that feeds the innovation roadmap with high‑quality, validated opportunities. The director will ensure innovation investments are grounded in insights from customers, markets, technologies, and business strategy.
Responsibilities
* Lead the development of the long‑range innovation roadmap, identifying where the franchise can expand through solving unmet customer needs, innovative technologies, adjacent market categories, or new business models.
* Partner with Upstream leadership to align opportunity areas with franchise strategic and financial goals.
* Partner with the Upstream Marketing Director to transition qualified opportunities into structured new product initiatives (NPIs).
* Maintain an integrated view of opportunity creation versus concept execution.
* Serve as a key member of the Global Upstream leadership team.
Opportunity Identification & Exploration
* Drive structured innovation processes with cross‑functional early innovation teams to identify meaningful customer and clinical unmet needs.
* Synthesize insights from customers, markets, and technologies into opportunity maps and need statements that guide ideation and feasibility work.
* Partner with R&D, Medical Affairs, and Finance to assess early technical, clinical, and financial feasibility and innovation readiness for pipeline opportunities.
* Partner with Senior Strategic Marketing Manager to evaluate whether certain opportunities may be better served through a Buy/Partner strategy.
Governance & Process Leadership
* Define and manage the FEI process, ensuring clarity of roles, decision gates, and progression criteria for early opportunities.
* Establish criteria for advancing early concepts into the Upstream Marketing pipeline.
* Present opportunity maps and early innovation concepts to leadership to inform resource allocation and Build strategic direction.
* Establish and maintain a balanced portfolio of early‑stage initiatives, from horizon scanning to concept incubation.
Your Skills and Expertise
* Bachelor’s degree or higher in Marketing, Business Management, or a related field AND 2+ years of progressive experience in front‑end innovation, upstream marketing, and/or innovation strategy roles.
* Proven ability to translate ambiguous opportunity spaces into clear, prioritized innovation strategies.
* Deep expertise in structured innovation processes (e.g., design thinking, ethnography).
* Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical ability, and financial acumen.
* Strong collaboration and influencing skills, particularly in cross‑functional, matrixed organizations.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, executive presence, and storytelling ability; experience presenting to C‑level executives.
Additional Qualifications
* Advanced marketing and/or clinical degree (e.g., MBA, RN, MD, or related field).
* Experience in healthcare, medical devices, or other regulated industries.
* Knowledge of the advanced wound care market, including negative pressure wound therapies.
* Ability to thrive in an action‑oriented and high accountability environment.
Application Information
Work location: Remote
Travel: 30% domestic and international
Relocation Assistance: Not authorized
Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).
EEO Statement
At Solventum all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Well‑Being and Benefits
Solventum offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. Solventum regularly benchmarks its pay and benefits with comparable companies.
Solventum is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in its recruitment process.
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Marketing and Sales
Industries: Medical Equipment Manufacturing
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