Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions. Open Innovation Partner and Communications Manager will work on the Xylem Innovation Labs team, a collaborative team-oriented environment, to support Xylem’s Enterprise Innovation Team. Primary responsibilities revolve around spearheading Xylem’s open innovation ecosystem program as well as managing the teams’ external communications efforts. The Analyst will also conduct market analyses, technical assessments, and put together compelling business cases all in the pursuit of driving growth through innovation by bringing new and innovative technologies to market. **OPEN INNOVATION** + **Owns and operationalizes Xylem’s global open innovation ecosystem** across the water industry and beyond, overseeing relationships with range of stakeholders including non-profits, universities, accelerator programs, customer innovation teams, investment firms, consulting agencies and research firms, etc. + **Designs and drives Xylem’s open innovation partnership strategy** to ensure Xylem has an early look at the best technologies in development globally. + Strategy must include a broad look at entrepreneurs across types of technologies, stage of company maturity, and geographic distribution + Make recommendations on which partnerships support and negotiate sponsorships with additional partners as required. + **Coordinates with colleagues companywide** to support and engage with open innovation partners, including attendance at external events, including open innovation partners in internal Xylem events. + **Make connections** between open innovation partners, colleagues across business, and startup companies **COMMUNICATIONS** + **Leads external visibility and positioning** of Xylem Innovation Labs by securing speaking engagements, building thought leadership content, and representing Xylem at industry forums. Acts as liaison with corporate communications team to create and execute on Xylem Innovation Labs **external communications strategy.** + Work with team Operations Manager to **create conference schedule** , ensuring speaking and/or panel engagement for XIL team member at every event attended + Work with team Operations Manager to **plan and execute virtual and in-person events** + Identify customer stories and **case studies** , coordinating creation and distribution of case studies internally and externally + Manage Xylem Innovation Labs **LinkedIn channel and social media presence** – including content creation and posting schedule + Develops and delivers **executive-ready pitch decks, business cases, and innovation briefings** tailored to internal leadership and external partners. **TECHNOLOGY SCOUTING** + Coordinates data with other teams and stakeholders across the organization to promote collaboration and **drive decisions** including and not limited to product management, R&D, sales, & business functions + **Support Tech Scouting & Evaluation Analyst** + **New technology intake:** conducting initial assessments, and further deep dives as warranted – communicating recommendations and next steps to business unit leaders + **Creation and maintenance of technology/startup company database** + **Develop and manage decision-support tools** to ensure that innovation decisions are aligned with corporate strategy and mission **OTHER** + Attend domestic and international conferences both in-person and online + Utilize agile IT tools for team communication and collaboration, including promoting these tools to drive innovation culture across the organization + Participation in Xylem Watermark volunteer activities + Other duties as assigned **Minimum Qualifications: Education, Experience, Skills, Abilities, License/Certification:** + Bachelor's Degree with 7–10 years experience or Master's + 5 years in strategy, innovation, technology scouting, or venturing capital. + Proven experience translating complex technologies into compelling business narratives. + Track record of influencing decisions across senior leadership and global teams. + Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex projects and stakeholder groups. + Recognized internally as a trusted advisor for innovation-driven business development. + Prior experience with decision-making and data visualization tools like Microsoft Power BI a plus + Able to communicate and generate support for recommendations among business leaders across the organization; demonstrated ability to express complex ideas, present results, and translate technical terminology to various levels of management + Adept at industry and market analysis - including competitive landscaping - across the water industry in all markets and geographies in which the company may conduct business + Team player that can work in a fast-paced environment with teammates distributed across geographies/time zones + Ability to work within a complex and often ambiguous environment, handling multiple projects simultaneously + Strong interpersonal skills & ability to build strong, trusting relationships + Curious, inquisitive, and a fast learner + Excellent written and communication skills + Attention to detail is a must + Comfort with decision-making + 25% travel The estimated salary range for this position is $107,100.00 - $192,800.00 plus bonus. Starting pay is dependent on multiple factors, such as skills, experience, and work location, and is not typically at the top of the range. At Xylem, we offer a competitive compensation package with a generous benefit package, including Medical, Dental, and Vision plans, 401(k) with company contribution, paid time off, paid parental leave, and tuition reimbursement. Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world. At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and Affirmative Action workplace, Xylem fosters an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment.   Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation