Vice President, External Innovation & Strategic Partnerships

Vice President, External Innovation & Strategic Partnerships

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including:
Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M
· A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty.

Full‑time — New York

The Vice President will lead ELC’s External Technology Strategy, Key Partnerships, and Scouting initiatives. This role is central to identifying and leveraging external technologies that accelerate the company’s innovation agenda. By collaborating closely with internal teams and external partners, the Vice President will proactively source, assess, and translate high‑value opportunities into strategic partnerships that drive growth and differentiation.

The position is responsible for establishing streamlined processes that enhance the integration of ELC’s internal R&D and External Partners as well as the Innovation opportunities within the New Business Development (NBD) and New Innovation Ventures (NIV) frameworks. Focus areas include opportunities that deliver long‑term competitive advantages such as proprietary ingredients, delivery systems, advanced process engineering, and IP‑generating research—while maintaining agility in exploring emerging and adjacent technologies.

• Define and lead the global open innovation strategy and roadmap aligned with ELC’s ambition to be the “best consumer‑centric prestige beauty company.”
• Build, manage, and activate a global network of external partners including startups, universities, labs, suppliers, platforms, and venture assets.
• Partner with internal teams to integrate external innovations into pipelines, ensuring brand fit, consumer relevance, safety, and scalability.

• Lead the management of the Open Innovation Portal for ELC to identify technology gaps and innovation opportunities.
• Conduct global technology and competitive landscape assessments in collaboration with external scouts.
• Identify and recommend platform innovations that advance strategic priorities.
• Develop frameworks for Go/No Go decisions and communicate outcomes to potential partners.

• Lead cross‑functional due diligence for partnerships and IP acquisitions.
• Conduct technical and financial analyses; negotiate terms for licensing and joint ventures.
• Structure collaboration models and transaction frameworks that are commercially viable and scientifically sound.
• Develop and manage Statements of Work (SOWs), NDAs, and Master Agreements in partnership with Legal and Advanced (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). pilot projects, proof‑of‑concepts, launches sourced externally; oversee timelines, budgets, deliverables, and risk mitigation.

• Create and institutionalize processes linking New Business Development, AT, and R&D for scouting and diligence.
• Collaborate with Legal, Procurement, Finance, and Global Communications to streamline innovation workflows.
• Strengthen internal procedures to protect IP, ensure value capture, and safeguard confidential information.

• Establish and monitor KPIs including revenue from external innovations, number of partnerships, external spend leverage, and consumer adoption.
• Represent ELC externally at innovation forums, industry consortia, and scientific conferences to position the company as a thought leader.
• Communicate competitive insights and emerging technology trends across the organization.

Advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) in Chemistry, Biology, Materials Science, Biotechnology, Engineering, or other relevant areas.

15+ years…