Technical Project Manager

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANIZATION:

This role contributes to adidas’ mission to be the best sports company in the world by exploring Human Perception, Exercise and Sport Performance opportunities within the creation and evaluation of innovative sport products and concepts. To build and enhance performance validation tools, guidelines, and processes. To act as a key driver of innovation for concept development teams in Innovation and the brand.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled individual to join our team as a Research Project Manager and Technical Lead. The successful candidate will spearhead a publicly funded research project focused on the integration of wearable sensors and printed electronics to support motion and emotion analysis in the field to enable elevated digital experiences of sports. This multifaceted role requires a blend of project management expertise and technical leadership to drive the successful execution of the project.

Project Management:

• Detail out and execute comprehensive project plans, ensuring adherence to timelines and milestones and making sure that industrial interests are matched.
• Coordinate and communicate with (internal and external) cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and collaborators to ensure project objectives are met.
• Monitor project budget and progress, allocate resources efficiently, manage third-party orders and provide regular updates on financial and progress status.
• Identify and mitigate risks, troubleshoot issues, and implement effective solutions to ensure project success.

Technical Leadership:

• Oversee the technical aspects of the research project, including sustainability by design, wearable sensor integration & printed electronics, motion analysis, psychological intervention & personalized guidance, and elevated digital sports experiences.
• Provide strategic direction for the project's technical development and ensure alignment with research goals as well as the business and innovation roadmap.
• Collaborate with internal and external experts to optimize technical solutions & methodologies as well as a successful exploitation within adidas.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in relevant technologies (actuator technology, embodied interaction, …) as well as related projects and integrate them into the project when applicable.

Team Collaboration:

• Foster a collaborative and innovative team culture, encouraging open communication and knowledge sharing.
• Lead, mentor, and support project team members, promoting a positive and productive working environment.
• Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration among internal team members and external partners.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Prepare detailed project documentation, including progress reports, technical specifications, and research findings.
• Communicate project updates to stakeholders through presentations, reports, and other relevant channels.
• Ensure compliance with all reporting requirements for the publicly funded research project.

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD or master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Sports Science, Psychology, Physics).
• Proven experience in research projects, either in project management, academia or industrial exploitation
• Strong technical background in one of the following fields:
  1. Wearable sensors, printed electronics and smart textiles
  2. Motion analysis and personalized guidance for behavior change
  3. Elevated digital experiences and consumer-focused applications in sports.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead a multidisciplinary team in a matrix organization and coordinate with a high number of external partners.
• Knowledge of funding agency requirements and experience managing publicly funded projects is a plus.

adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an equal opportunity employer.