Chanel Investments Lead, Open Innovation
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Senior
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- Jun 1, 2026
About Chanel
Chanel is one of the world’s most revered luxury houses, founded by Gabrielle Chanel and distinguished by an enduring vision of elegance, freedom, and modernity. As an employer, the House brings together métiers ranging from haute couture, fashion and leather goods to fragrance, beauty, watches, and fine jewelry, offering employees the opportunity to contribute to a legacy defined by exceptional craftsmanship and creative audacity. Chanel values excellence, discretion, collaboration, and long-term development, fostering an environment where talent is nurtured and heritage is continually reinterpreted for contemporary clients. Its teams are united by a commitment to quality, innovation, and the timeless spirit of the brand.
Chanel seeks an Investments Lead for Open Innovation in London to identify emerging technologies and venture partnerships.
Role & Responsibilities
- Identify, evaluate, and recommend technology and venture investment opportunities aligned with Chanel's strategic priorities
- Build and maintain relationships with founders, venture capitalists, and innovation partners across the global ecosystem
- Lead due diligence processes and develop investment theses for potential partnerships
- Monitor market trends, emerging technologies, and competitive innovation activities
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate portfolio investments and insights into business operations
Qualifications
- Proven track record in venture capital or corporate investment evaluation
- Deep understanding of emerging technologies relevant to luxury, fashion, and consumer goods
- Exceptional ability to identify, assess, and negotiate high-value partnerships
- Strong financial acumen and investment thesis development capability
- Strategic thinking with demonstrated business impact and ROI delivery
Skills
Experience
Substantial experience in venture investment, innovation management, or corporate strategy within luxury, technology, or related industries, with demonstrated success in identifying and developing high-impact partnerships and investments.
Education
Bachelor's degree in business, finance, engineering, or related field; advanced qualifications (MBA, MSc) preferred.
Workplace
The role is situated in London, England, UK.
Culture
Chanel fosters a culture of timeless creativity, exacting craftsmanship, and quiet excellence, where employees are encouraged to uphold the house’s heritage while contributing to its continued innovation. The workplace environment is refined, collaborative, and deeply committed to quality, offering professionals the opportunity to grow within a globally respected maison that values discretion, artistry, and long-term vision.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Chanel, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Innovation Investment Manager», «Open Innovation Director», «Strategic Investments Advisor», «Innovation Partnership Lead», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.