Innovation Program Manager

About Technology Innovation Institute

Technology Innovation Institute (TII) is a publicly funded research institute, based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It is home to a diverse community of leading scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and researchers from across the globe, transforming problems and roadblocks into pioneering research and technology prototypes that help move society ahead.

Technology Innovation Institute (TII) is seeking an Innovation Program Manager to lead and coordinate the execution of internal innovation initiatives, with primary responsibility for managing the organization's innovation platform.

The platform enables employees to submit ideas, participate in innovation challenges, and contribute to initiatives that drive organizational improvement. The role will oversee the end-to-end innovation process, from idea submission and evaluation through selection, implementation, and recognition.

The Innovation Program Manager will work closely with internal stakeholders, challenge sponsors, and evaluation committees to ensure effective program delivery, employee engagement, and measurable outcomes. The role will also support the development and execution of additional innovation initiatives across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Innovation Program Management

• Manage the day-to-day operations and performance of the internal innovation platform.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute innovation challenges, campaigns, and competitions from initiation through completion.
• Develop campaign timelines, challenge briefs, communication plans, and implementation schedules.
• Support challenge sponsors and managers in defining business problems, establishing challenge objectives, and developing evaluation criteria.
• Ensure innovation initiatives are delivered effectively and aligned with organizational priorities.

2. Idea Evaluation and Implementation

• Oversee the end-to-end idea management process, including submission, screening, evaluation, selection, approval, and implementation tracking.
• Coordinate with subject matter experts and relevant stakeholders to ensure ideas are evaluated consistently, fairly, and within established timelines.
• Maintain visibility of the innovation pipeline and monitor the progress of selected ideas.
• Follow up with relevant teams to facilitate the implementation of approved ideas and address potential delays.
• Track implementation outcomes and document the impact of successful initiatives.

3. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Collaborate with internal departments, challenge sponsors, and employees to encourage participation in innovation initiatives.
• Develop and distribute communications related to challenge launches, submission deadlines, reminders, results, and program updates.
• Provide guidance to employees on the innovation platform, submission requirements, and evaluation processes.
• Coordinate recognition initiatives to acknowledge employees whose ideas are selected or successfully implemented.
• Build relationships across departments to strengthen innovation engagement and participation.

4. Performance Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitor innovation platform activity, employee participation, challenge performance, and idea pipeline progression.
• Prepare regular reports and updates for the innovation team and senior leadership.
• Track key performance indicators, including submission volumes, evaluation timelines, implementation progress, and program outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to improve program effectiveness, participation rates, and user experience.
• Support the development of recommendations to enhance innovation processes, engagement strategies, and recognition mechanisms.

5. Innovation Initiatives and Continuous Improvement

• Design, coordinate, and deliver additional innovation initiatives, including hackathons, workshops, idea competitions, and cross-functional projects.
• Identify opportunities to enhance innovation processes, platform functionality, and employee incentives.
• Leverage internal resources and stakeholder expertise to implement program improvements.
• Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the organization.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Communications, Operations, Project Management, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Candidates with alternative educational backgrounds and relevant practical experience will also be considered.

Professional Experience

• Preferably 3+ years of relevant experience in program management, project coordination, internal operations, employee engagement, innovation programs, or related functions.
• Experience coordinating and delivering structured programs or corporate initiatives from planning through execution and reporting.
• Experience working with cross-functional stakeholders and coordinating activities across multiple departments.
• Previous exposure to innovation management platforms, idea submission systems, hackathons, or innovation competitions is an advantage.
• Experience in employee engagement, change management, or continuous improvement initiatives is desirable.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong organizational, planning, and project coordination skills.
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives, deadlines, and stakeholder requirements simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management capabilities.
• Ability to influence and coordinate cross-functional teams without direct reporting authority.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain structured workflows and documentation.
• Analytical and reporting skills, with the ability to monitor performance and communicate outcomes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with artificial intelligence tools.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive business information professionally.
• Proactive, solution-oriented mindset with an interest in innovation and continuous improvement.

Preferred Attributes

• Genuine interest in innovation and understanding of how structured innovation programs operate.
• Ability to translate ideas and initiatives into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
• Collaborative approach to working with stakeholders at different organizational levels.
• Adaptability and willingness to support emerging innovation priorities.
• Commitment to fostering employee participation and an inclusive innovation culture.