Innovation Manager, R&D

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Canada.

📋 Description

• Identify and assess new opportunities for generating revenue by engaging with customers, industry partners, and internal stakeholders across Clario.

• Lead the discovery and concept development process, transforming unmet needs and initial ideas into well-defined problem statements, opportunity briefs, and high-level solution concepts.

• Conduct an in-depth exploration of the AI and data landscape (including machine learning, generative AI, computer vision, and workflow automation) to uncover innovations and integrations that can enhance revenue streams and operational efficiencies.

• Collaborate closely with AI/ML and data science teams to: Understand current capabilities and roadmaps, brainstorm new AI-enabled features and services, and evaluate the safe and effective integration of AI into existing and new products.

• Define and manage a portfolio/roadmap of innovation opportunities that prioritizes concepts (especially those enabled by AI) based on business value, feasibility, risk, and strategic alignment.

• Facilitate ideation workshops, design sprints, and discovery sessions alongside AI, product, engineering, and commercial teams to refine concepts and focus on the most promising solutions.

• Work with architects and senior engineers to evaluate technical options, constraints, and high-level solution approaches without directly overseeing coding or detailed system architecture.

• For high-potential opportunities, create experiment/MVP charters that outline: The customer problem and target users, key hypotheses and assumptions, desired outcomes and high-level success criteria, as well as risks, dependencies, and key metrics to track.

• Collaborate closely with the Product Owner to: Transform opportunity briefs and MVP charters into product backlogs and user stories, ensure delivery teams comprehend the original problem, hypotheses, and success criteria, and review insights from increments and experiments to iterate on concepts as needed.

• Analyze outcomes from experiments, prototypes, and customer feedback to advise on whether to scale, pivot, or discontinue initiatives, focusing on measurable revenue impact and efficiency improvements.

• Prepare and present succinct business cases and recommendations to leadership and product stakeholders, summarizing opportunity size, risks, insights, and proposed next steps.

• Promote a culture of experimentation, learning, and “productive failure,” ensuring that insights from both successful and unsuccessful initiatives are captured, shared, and utilized to guide future innovation efforts.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field; an advanced degree or MBA is advantageous.

• Over 7 years of experience in software, data, or product environments (such as engineering, solution architecture, product strategy, innovation/R&D, consulting), including experience in discovery and early-stage concept development.

• Strong proficiency in AI and data: familiarity with concepts such as machine learning, generative AI, computer vision, and workflow automation, along with the ability to discuss capabilities, limitations, and appropriate use cases with technical experts.

• Proven history of identifying and shaping new product or capability opportunities, especially those that are AI-enabled or data-driven, and guiding them through early validation.

• Experience engaging directly with customers, partners, and internal stakeholders to identify pain points, synthesize insights, and convert them into clear problem statements and opportunity briefs.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with AI/ML, data science, product management, and engineering teams, influencing stakeholders without direct authority.

• Comfort working in Agile environments, closely partnering with Product Owners and delivery teams, and employing experiments/MVPs to validate hypotheses.

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, capable of sizing opportunities, assessing trade-offs, and linking innovation initiatives to measurable business outcomes (such as revenue, efficiency, and differentiation).

• Excellent communication and storytelling abilities, skilled in simplifying complex ideas, leading workshops, and presenting clear recommendations to senior stakeholders.

• A mindset geared towards experimentation, learning, and “productive failure,” with the resilience to iterate based on feedback and data.

• Experience in regulated healthcare, life sciences, or clinical trials is a significant advantage; curiosity and a willingness to learn about this domain are essential.

🏝️ Benefits

• N/A