Innovation Research Lead (Glendale)

Are you ready to shape the direction of emerging technology and influence the future of innovation? One of the world's largest entertainment companies is searching for a Strategic Innovation Research Lead to join their innovation-focused team 3 days onsite per week at their offices in Glendale, CA . In this pivotal role, you'll drive ideation and design thinking, conduct foresight and competitive intelligence research, and advise senior leaders. Your insights will fuel proof-of-concept development, inform strategic decision-making, and set the vision for where technology is headed next. This is a net-new role where you'll define and craft organizational impact for years to come; it's perfect for a creative strategist passionate about future relevance and innovation!

This exciting, brand-new opportunity begins as an initial 12-month W2 contract offering the chance to extend or convert to a permanent role, depending on efficacy in the role. During this contract, you'll have access to competitive benefits and enjoy a hybrid schedule at their world headquarters in Glendale, CA.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the strategic research and foresight advisor, scanning market trends and technological shifts to deliver rapid, actionable briefings to project teams and executives.
• Evaluate startups, vendors, and innovations for strategic alignment and opportunity, maintaining an organized repository of insights.
• Build deep partnerships with business development, project/product development, and engineering teams, embedding research into their opportunity areas and keeping them informed of new developments.
• Develop compelling messaging, decks, briefs, and newsletter communications that translate complex opportunities into clear strategies for executive review and broader audiences.
• Lead structured ideation and brainstorming sessions with internal/external partners, facilitating creative concept development and innovation pitch programs.

Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience
• Proficiency in research and synthesis tools such as JIRA, Smartsheet, Confluence, or similar platforms
• Demonstrated expertise in Artificial Intelligence and emerging technology spaces (ML, XR, Robotics, Spatial Intelligence, etc.) with a proven ability to track and interpret industry trends ahead of the mainstream
• Familiarity with R&D, innovation forums, or similar environments
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate technical topics for non-technical audiences and influence senior leadership
• Entrepreneurial mindset, comfortable operating in ambiguous contexts and driving unique, future-focused efforts
• Experience creating briefs, developing strategic messaging, and running innovation communications (including newsletters)

You will receive the following benefits:

• Medical Insurance - Four medical plans to choose from for you and your family
• Dental & Orthodontia Benefits
• Vision Benefits
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Voluntary Life Insurance, Long-Term & Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Paid Sick Time Leave
• Legal and Identity Protection Plans
• Pre-tax Commuter Benefit
• 529 College Saver Plan

Motion Recruitment Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. All applicants must be currently authorized to work on a full-time basis in the country for which they are applying, and no sponsorship is currently available. Employment is subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment screening. Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required under Motion Recruitment Employment Accommodation policy. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.