Director AI Innovation & Incubation (m/f/d)

As part of the Data Insights & AI Department (DIA), you will lead Hapag-Lloyd's AI transformation journey by establishing and operating our AI Lab. This space will serve as the centre for AI discovery, ideation, and incubation across our global organization. You will work in close collaboration with the AI Hub and the Hapag-Lloyd Academy to identify high-impact AI opportunities, help mature promising ideas into solid business cases, and ensure our AI investments deliver measurable value. You will facilitate targeted awareness & ideation sessions, rigorously filter AI opportunities for real business impact, and guide the most promising ideas through to a decision stage – with a compelling business case and, where appropriate, a Minimal Viable Product (MVP) together with the AI Hub.

Establish, operate, and continuously evolve the AI Lab as Hapag-Lloyd's AI incubation, incubation, and innovation space
Build AI awareness and adoption through targeted workshops, demo days, and hands-on experiences for diverse audiences: from frontline employees up to the Executive Board
Systematically identify and filter AI opportunities for real business impact – applying rigorous evaluation criteria to separate high-potential ideas from noise and focusing resources on initiatives that can deliver measurable value
Mature promising AI ideas into solid, investment-ready business cases – partnering with Hapag-Lloyd departments to quantify impact, define success metrics, and validate feasibility through MVP development where appropriate
Build and strengthen external partnerships to scale the AI Lab’s reach and impact

Several years of leadership experience in innovation or transformation roles, with proven ability to inspire and educate diverse audiences
Ability to rethink business processes and set ambition levels along technological capabilities together with relevant stakeholders
Experience in workshop design and change management
Understanding of AI technologies, applications, and business integration with ability to translate complex concepts for non-technical audiences
Exceptional presentation and facilitation skills, with ability to engage stakeholders including C-suite executives
Strong experience in project management and in managing concurrent initiatives
Background in shipping, logistics, or similar operational industries preferred
Fluency in English; additional languages advantageous