Job Description
Join Horizon Labs at the forefront of tomorrow's transformation. We're seeking a visionary Futurist & Innovation Strategist to architect our 2026 roadmap and drive groundbreaking initiatives that redefine industries. This role blends cutting-edge foresight with pragmatic execution, requiring you to scan horizons, identify disruptive opportunities, and translate future scenarios into actionable strategies. You'll collaborate with C-suite executives across tech, sustainability, and AI domains while mentoring teams to embrace exponential thinking.
Our Austin-based innovation hub offers an unparalleled environment for thought leadership, with dedicated labs for prototyping, immersive research facilities, and partnerships with MIT and Stanford's future studies programs. We empower our futurists with $500K annual innovation budgets and quarterly 'Future Sprint' retreats in global innovation capitals.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain the 2026 strategic foresight framework using horizon scanning, scenario planning, and trend analysis
- Lead cross-functional 'Future Labs' to prototype solutions for climate resilience, AI ethics, and quantum computing applications
- Produce quarterly 'Future Pulse' reports with data-driven predictions for board-level decision-making
- Establish partnerships with academic institutions and disruptor startups for emerging tech validation
- Design and facilitate 'Future Visioning' workshops for Fortune 500 clients
- Mentor innovation teams in exponential technology adoption and agile foresight methodologies
- Secure $1M+ annual innovation funding through compelling future-case proposals
Qualifications
- Advanced degree in Futures Studies, Systems Thinking, or related field (PhD preferred)
- 8+ years in strategic foresight, innovation consulting, or R&D leadership
- Published thought leadership on 2020s technological disruption (white papers, TED talks)
- Expertise in AI ethics, climate tech, or biotech convergence trends
- Proven track record of translating future scenarios into commercialized innovations
- Certification in Strategic Foresight (e.g., from University of Houston) or equivalent
- Experience with Delphi method, cross-impact matrix analysis, and weak signal detection
- Portfolio demonstrating at least three implemented future-strategy initiatives