Head of Venture Clienting (all genders)

Head of Venture Clienting (all genders)
in Berlin / Frankfurt

At the Lufthansa Innovation Hub, we’re pioneering the future of travel for the Lufthansa Group, the industry, but most importantly for everyone who travels.

The landscape of the travel industry is changing. Our job is to identify these shifts and translate them into new business opportunities in the travel sector.

We are guided by our ambition to take travel to new destinations. To achieve this, we believe in constantly pushing the limits to make travel easier, more convenient and more enjoyable.

By building a valuable portfolio of travel companies and products, we are making an essential contribution to the asset-light business strategy of the Lufthansa Group.

Job summary:

As Head of Venture Clienting (m/f/d), you have a hands-on leadership role in expanding and scaling Lufthansa Group’s Venture Clienting activities at the Lufthansa Innovation Hub. You drive the strategic program Startup Gate to foster collaborations between the Lufthansa Group and tech startups, with a focus on driving impactful business outcomes.

This role goes beyond project execution – you lead the strategic vision for Startup Gate, build and grow a high-performing team along the program’s business impact, and establish Lufthansa Group as a global leader in leveraging startup partnerships to accelerate the future of travel and aviation.

Working closely with senior stakeholders across Lufthansa Group and the startup ecosystem, you will identify high-value opportunities, address key business challenges, guide innovation projects to success, and support the scaling of innovation POCs into meaningful business cases.

We offer a dynamic and fast-paced work environment that is both interdisciplinary and hands-on, with opportunities to work at the intersection of a leading global aviation group and cutting-edge tech startups. The ideal candidate has a successful track record in building and growing innovation teams (ideally in the Venture Client space) and is passionate about aviation, technology, innovation, and business impact. He/she feels at home both in the corporate and startup world and brings the spirit of an entrepreneur, eager to take Venture Clienting at Lufthansa Group to the next level.

Key responsibilities:

• Strategy & leadership of Startup Gate: Lead and grow our Venture Clienting activities under the ‘Startup Gate’ platform by coordinating and driving strategy, communications, operations, and internal/external relationships. Turn Lufthansa Group into the leading client for startup innovation in the aviation space.
• Venture Clienting projects: Drive pilot projects with startups to address Lufthansa Group business needs and bring measurable commercial & innovation value – from scouting to pilot implementation to post-pilot scaling and integration.
• Team building: Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing team to drive Venture Clienting projects and grow Startup Gate along its business impact from a program to a full-scale venture client unit.
• Ecosystem engagement: Represent LIH at industry events, conferences, and media engagements, serving as a thought leader and advocate for innovation in travel and mobility.
• Stakeholder management: Act as a trusted advisor to senior executives within the Lufthansa Group, presenting partnership opportunities and innovation roadmaps to C-level stakeholders.
• Partnership growth: Expand and leverage Lufthansa Innovation Hub’s network within the startup and Lufthansa Group ecosystem, identify and pursue strategic partnerships opportunities that align with Lufthansa Group’s digital and operational priorities.
• Trend scouting: Stay ahead of emerging trends and technologies in travel and mobility tech, leveraging insights from LIH’s strategic intelligence team and strategic partners to derive LIH’s partnership strategy and priorities.

Your profile:

• Entrepreneurial mindset: A self-starter with the ability to navigate ambiguity, thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and drive growth.
• Strategic vision: Strong ability to define and execute a strategic roadmap for venture clienting, driving meaningful business outcomes.
• Ecosystem knowledge: Deep understanding of the startup and tech ecosystem, with a proven ability to identify and foster high-value collaborations.
• Leadership experience: Proven track record (2y+) in leading and growing teams, with a focus on innovation, Venture Clienting, startup partnerships or the travel / aviation space.
• Corporate and startup expertise: Ability to bridge the corporate and startup worlds, leveraging your experience to drive collaboration and innovation.
• Industry expertise: Passion for and experience in aviation and travel is a strong plus.
• Analytical and results-driven: Strong analytical mindset with the ability to measure and articulate the business impact of partnership activities.
• Communication skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and German, with experience presenting to and influencing senior executives.
• Education: Degree in Business, Economics, Innovation Management, Technology Management, Engineering or a related field.

What we offer:

• Lead and grow the Venture Clienting program ‘Startup Gate’ at of one of the world’s leading aviation groups.
• Build, lead and grow a team that drives meaningful innovation through partnerships.
• Dive into the international aviation, travel and mobility tech ecosystems: work closely with startups, established tech players, and other innovation units.
• Experience a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and collaborative work environment in the heart of Berlin.
• Benefit from flat hierarchies, diverse learning opportunities, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies and methodologies.
• Be an essential member of a smart, hard-working and constantly growing team with a strong identity and unique culture.
• Grow your network internally and in the ecosystem and represent LIH and the Lufthansa Group at major industry events and conferences.

At LIH, we are super committed to fostering an environment that promotes diversity and inclusivity. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of factors irrelevant to merit, qualifications or business need such as age, race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, medical status, or any other status covered by the relevant law in the areas where we operate.