What is innovation manager? | Definition from TechTarget

Innovation managers continuously scan the environment for emerging trends, technologies and potential disruptions. They look for gaps in the market, customer needs and areas for improvement within their organization.

Here are a few important aspects of the innovation manager position:

Based on their observations, innovation managers create strategic plans for innovation. These strategies guide the ideation process; resource allocation; and the development and launch of new products, services, or processes.

They oversee the process from ideation to implementation. They manage various projects, ensuring that ideas are developed, tested and brought to market successfully.

Innovation managers encourage creative thinking and risk-taking within the organization. They might conduct workshops, training sessions or brainstorming sessions and often set up systems to collect and evaluate ideas from all levels of the organization.

As a role with a wide range of responsibilities, innovation managers interact closely with various departments within a tech company. They often work together with research and development teams to translate ideas into feasible products or services, ensuring that creativity aligns with technical feasibility.

They will also collaborate with marketing and sales teams to understand customer needs and market trends as well as ensure successful product launches. They report to and work with top executives to shape the organization’s innovation strategy and secure necessary resources.

Furthermore, Innovation managers partner with HR to create programs and practices that foster a culture of innovation, such as recognition systems for innovative ideas or training programs to develop creative thinking skills.

As the technology landscape evolves rapidly, the role of the Innovation manager is poised to become even more critical and complex. Here are some trends and considerations for how this role may evolve:

As societal focus on sustainability and social responsibility continues to grow, innovation managers will likely need to align their strategies with these principles. This means not just driving profitability but also considering the environmental and social impact of their innovations.

With the digital transformation of businesses and the growing sophistication of cyber threats, there’s a rising need for innovation in cybersecurity. Innovation managers may increasingly be called upon to drive initiatives that strengthen cyber defenses and create more secure digital ecosystems.

Overall, the role of the innovation manager is set to become more integral as the pace of technological advancement quickens. The pressure to innovate is becoming a constant, driving the need for dedicated roles to manage and guide this complex process.