Innovation Strategist

2 weeks ago

Toronto, Ontario, Canada AXL: Human Potential, AI Superpowered Full time

About AXL

AXL is a venture studio dedicated to turning applied research and corporate insight into great Canadian companies. We work alongside the executive teams of major companies and leading researchers to uncover, validate, and launch the next generation of human-centric innovations.

This role sits at the front edge of that process — embedded with the C-suite on down at our partners to discover high-value opportunities through deep inquiry, collaboration, and strategic design.

The Role

As an
Innovation Strategist (Design Researcher, Analyst, Consultant)

, you will lead the discovery process with our corporate partners. You will plan and run workshops, conduct stakeholder interviews and surveys, and synthesize insights into actionable venture opportunities.

You will work closely with executives, researchers, and venture builders to bridge human insight and commercial strategy — transforming complex systems and needs into tangible innovation paths.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead Discovery Engagements:

Design and facilitate workshops, interviews, and surveys to uncover needs, challenges, and opportunities within partner organizations.

  • Synthesize Insights:

Translate qualitative and quantitative research into clear opportunity maps, frameworks, and venture hypotheses.

  • Guide Strategic Decisions:

Work with senior executives to prioritize opportunities and align them with corporate and studio strategy.

  • Prototype Concepts:

Collaborate with product, design, and technical experts to visualize and test early venture ideas.

  • Shepherd Outcomes:

Document findings, produce synthesis reports, and present recommendations to both internal and partner stakeholders.

  • Build Relationships:

Establish trust with partner teams, often working on-site to understand their context and culture.

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in
    innovation strategy

,
design research

,
service design

, or
business design

(consulting, studio, or corporate innovation environment).

  • Proven ability to
    plan and lead workshops

and
facilitate complex stakeholder groups

.

  • Strong skills in
    qualitative research

,
insight synthesis

, and
storytelling

.

  • Comfort with
    strategic frameworks

,
market opportunity mapping

, and
venture hypothesis development

.

  • Exceptional communication skills — visual, verbal, and written.

  • Bonus: experience in
    corporate innovation

,
new venture creation

, or
applied R&D

.

You Might Be a Fit If You...

  • Are as comfortable with executives as with end-users.

  • Think in systems and see patterns others miss.

  • Are energized by ambiguity and discovery.

  • Can move fluidly between research, strategy, and facilitation.

  • Believe that innovation begins with genuine human understanding.

Why AXL

You'll join a small, senior team at the intersection of academia, industry, and entrepreneurship — helping to shape ventures that define Canada's role in a post-AI world.

At AXL, everyone is a founder of our shared future.

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