Explore Head of New Venture jobs and step into a role at the forefront of corporate innovation and growth. A Head of New Venture is a senior strategic leader tasked with conceiving, launching, and scaling new business lines or products from the ground up. This profession sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship and corporate strategy, acting as an internal founder who transforms ambiguous ideas into tangible, revenue-generating enterprises. Professionals in these jobs are responsible for navigating uncharted territory, building something significant from a concept, and driving long-term value for their organization. The typical responsibilities for a Head of New Venture are comprehensive and entrepreneurial in nature. They begin with defining the vision and strategy for the new initiative, conducting market validation, and securing internal buy-in. A core part of the role involves assembling and leading cross-functional teams, often working closely with product development, marketing, sales, operations, and legal/compliance departments to shepherd the venture from prototype to market launch. These leaders own the end-to-end execution, including developing the go-to-market strategy, managing the venture's profit and loss (P&L), and establishing key performance indicators to track success. As the venture grows, they are responsible for scaling operations, optimizing performance, and building a dedicated team. Ultimately, they are accountable for the venture's commercial success and strategic fit within the larger corporate portfolio. To excel in Head of New Venture jobs, candidates require a distinct blend of skills and experience. A proven track record of launching and scaling new products or business units is paramount, often within a corporate incubator or startup environment. Strategic thinking and a strong analytical aptitude are essential for market analysis, financial modeling, and data-driven decision-making. Exceptional leadership and influence skills are needed to motivate teams and secure resources without direct authority. A "builder's mindset" is critical—thriving in ambiguity, creating structure from scratch, and moving rapidly from ideation to execution. Strong financial acumen for P&L management and forecasting is typically required. Excellent communication skills are vital for presenting to executive leadership and external partners. While not always mandatory, an advanced degree like an MBA is commonly preferred, coupled with significant post-graduate experience in strategy, consulting, or operational roles. For those seeking to drive innovation from within an established company, Head of New Venture jobs offer a unique and high-impact career path.
