Business Unit Description

AARP was built on innovation and has a long history of developing solutions that create opportunity and solve problems for people 50-plus. It's part of our DNA.

The Hatchery, an AARP innovation lab, is an innovation accelerator that works with start-ups and investors to discover big ideas and bring them to scale to change how people live as they age.

AARP is committed to supporting the Washington, D.C., region's thriving entrepreneurial community, driving economic development and creating bold services, products and solutions for people 50-plus .

It's all about delivering on AARP's purpose to empower people to choose how they live as they age.
Summary

The Director of Startup Collaborations will manage all aspects of AARP Innovation Labs' engagement with external startups by working to integrate them with sandbox and similar partner environments for the purpose of running trials or testing product solutions. The director is an entrepreneurial-minded corporate innovator, accomplished communicator, strong vendor manager, and experienced planner who will support AARP's external innovation vision in the development of meaningful solutions for the 50+.
Responsibilities

Startup Collaboration Engagement

Identify, cultivate and manage relationships with external innovation "sandbox" environments to allow startup partners to test and prove out product solutions in a friendly but rigorous environment.

Build and maintain a strong network in the creative, research and startup industries through events and sponsorships with the goal of developing environments for product testing.

Execute business development at an executive level in the pursuit of appropriate partners to work with AARP Innovation Labs' startups.

Financial and Budgetary Responsibilities

This position will share responsiblity for managing budget for physical innovation labs and sandboxpartnerships with the VP of Startup Engagements
Requirements

Bachelor's degree

A minimum of 10 years of relevant business development, project management, innovation and operations experience required.

Ability to demonstrate organizational skills and possess a clear understanding of the convergent and divergent phases of an innovating process to be able to inspire startups in a meaningful way.

Experience as an operations manager, vendor manager, and/or experience planner.This role will be the authority in managing AARP Innovation Labs's startups with sandbox partners. This could include events and meeting management, facilities, innovation resource management and relationships with external partners.

Additional Requirements:

Advanced degree preferred

Experience with resource and vendor management preferred

Event and partner management skills a plus

At AARP, the health and well-being of our candidates, employees, and members is a top priority. As a result of the COVID pandemic, all non- essential employees will continue to work remotely through the end of 2020. AARP has established social distancing policies to ensure the safety of our essential employees.
Benefits Offered

AARP offers competitive benefits with a 401K, 100% company funded pension plan, health, dental, vision and life insurance, STD/LTD, paid vacation and sick, and other benefits.
Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.