Adidas SENIOR DIRECTOR DIGITAL INNOVATION 

Pakistan, Punjab, Lahore 

106952455

Innovation Leadership & Strategy

• Define and lead the global Digital Innovation strategy and roadmap, aligned with adidas business priorities.
• Establish a sustainable innovation framework that consistently drives exploration, ideation, prioritization, and delivery of disruptive solutions.
• Ensure innovation efforts span across all sales channels (eCom, Wholesale, Retail, 3rd party platforms) and align with the overall digital transformation agenda.
• Represent adidas as an innovation thought leader internally and externally, shaping the narrative on the future of digital commerce and consumer engagement.

Research, Exploration & Piloting

• Drive exploration of emerging technologies, startups, and industry trends to identify high-potential opportunities.
• Lead the end-to-end innovation pipeline from scouting and business case development through pilots and transition to scale.
• Ensure innovation pilots are strategically prioritized, rigorously validated, and deliver clear business and consumer outcomes.
• Oversee budget allocation and governance for innovation investments, ensuring value delivery and adherence to adidas policies.

Collaboration & Ecosystem Development

• Build and maintain a strong network of internal and external partners including startups, tech companies, incubators, and accelerators.
• Partner with senior leaders across Digital, Brand, Markets, TECH, and Operations to embed innovation into core strategies and roadmaps.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for adidas in the global innovation ecosystem, participating in key industry events and positioning adidas as a partner of choice.
• Drive transparency and alignment through regular communication, case studies, and knowledge sharing across the organization.

People & Organizational Leadership

• Build, lead, and inspire a diverse team of innovation professionals, ensuring succession and future talent pipelines.
• Create a culture of experimentation, safety, and empowerment - encouraging teams to take risks, learn, and scale successes.
• Provide clarity, direction, and measurable targets for the team, aligned with adidas strategy and business outcomes.
• Continuously optimize organizational structures, team workload, and operating models to deliver maximum impact.

Key Relationships:

• Global Digital & eCom Leadership Team
• Global and Market Sales & Brand organizations
• Global IT and Operations
• Group functions (Finance, Procurement, Legal, HR)
• External startups, agencies, accelerators, and innovation leaders

Education & Professional Experience

• Master’s degree in Business, Technology, or related field preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in Digital, eCommerce, or Technology-driven environments.
• Proven track record in defining and delivering innovation strategy at global scale.
• Demonstrated success in building new practices, managing large-scale programs, and creating measurable commercial and consumer impact.
• Extensive experience in leading cross-functional and global teams.
• Strong background in agile/lean innovation and piloting methodologies.

Soft-Skills

• Inspirational leader with a passion for innovation and consumer-centricity.
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate vision into execution.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with proven ability to engage senior stakeholders.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving change across complex organizations.
• Thought leader with ability to represent adidas externally and shape the industry dialogue on digital innovation.

Hard-Skills

• Deep understanding of end-to-end digital consumer journeys and platforms.
• Broad knowledge of emerging technologies, digital ecosystems, and innovation methodologies.
• Fluent in English (verbal and written).