Innovation Executive Lead

Job Description:

Lead AXA’s US innovation hub in Silicon Valley - driving AI, startup partnerships, and academic collaborations. Shape industry insights, foster strategic alliances, and manage ecosystem engagement. Passionate about tech, innovation, and making a global impact? Join us!

About the job

Job purpose

Lead AXA’s U.S. innovation outpost focused on emerging technologies and AI-driven transformation.

Represent AXA in strategic partnerships with the Silicon Valley start-up ecosystem, GAFAM and venture firms.

Manage the relationship with Stanford University and foster our joint academic partnership around AI.

Drive and execute the thought leadership strategy by identifying emerging trends and providing strategic notes for top management.

Manage ecosystem engagement.

Main missions

Your responsibilities include:

1. Academic Partnerships :

Manage and collaborations with Stanford HAI. Coordinate work on the existing research streams by liaising with professors in Stanford and the research team in Europe.

Coordinate partnership renewals and ensure alignment with AXA’s innovation roadmap.

2. Ecosystem Engagement :

Build relationships with startups, venture capital firms, and corporate innovation hubs (e.g., Alphabet, Salesforce, NVIDIA, A16z).

Represent AXA in the Silicon Valley tech ecosystem. Bridge the gap between disruptive innovation and insurance business needs.

3. Thought Leadership :

Publish regular insights and forecasts on emerging tech trends and regulatory developments.

Answer requests for briefs/memos from top management on emerging Silicon Valley trends.

Based on the knowledge of the start-up ecosystem and academic partners, coordinate visits of the AXA top management in the Silicon Valley.

4. Operational Oversight

Manage the Palo Alto Hub’s budget and strategic direction.

Expected skills & experience

We are looking for someone with the following experience and skills:

Experience

Significant experience in tech strategy, academic partnerships, or innovation leadership.

Proven track record in managing cross-functional teams and external collaborations.

Insurance knowledge – AXA experience preferred

Experience in senior stakeholder management

Strong network in Silicon Valley and global tech ecosystems.

Technical skills

Deep understanding of AI, data science, and emerging technologies.

Strategic thinker with operational execution capabilities.

Insurance business acumen

Soft skills / transversal skills

Excellent communication skills, written and situational

Strong autonomy, able to navigate ambiguity in a remote location

What we offer

We bring together the expertise, cultural diversity and creativity of over 8,000 employees worldwide and we’re committed to equal opportunities in all aspects of employment (gender, LGBT+, disabled persons, or people of different origins) and to promoting Diversity & Inclusion by creating a work environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect, and where individual differences are valued.

About the entity

AXA is becoming a sustainable tech-led company and at AXA Group Operations we are one of the major catalysts for this transformation.

We set the tone by triggering and empowering the evolution of our insurance business model through technology and innovation, driving its concrete implementation globally at speed, with a high quality of advisory and execution.

We are present across 17 countries with committed, highly qualified teams. We leverage technology, data, sourcing, security and investment allocation in a global way, but also achieve economies of scale and synergies when necessary.

At AXA Group Operations, we want to be recognized in three fields of action:

State-of-the-art Data Technology to drive customer experience

State-of-the-art Procurement & Sourcing to drive efficiency and better manage risks

High-Performing Global Team for stronger partnerships with AXA entities

About AXA

As a world-leading insurance company, we act for human progress by protecting what matters. With 153,000 employees in 54 countries working for 105 million customers, we’ve created a truly dynamic and vibrant community. Inclusion and diversity link closely with our values, and together we’re nurturing a culture of respect, for each other, for our customers and the communities around us. Join AXA and you’ll feel like you belong, are included and can thrive. You’ll be able to shape the way you work and truly grow your potential as you seek out new opportunities, push boundaries and benefit people in critical moments of their lives. This is your chance to build the tomorrow you want. Know you can.

#LI-OA1 #LI-Hybrid