Sr. Manager, Innovation

The Senior Manager, Innovation at Old Navy is responsible for shaping our innovation strategies, mentoring team members, advocating for customer needs, and driving high-impact initiatives from ideation to executive alignment. This role involves providing strategic oversight, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and ensuring that innovation frameworks are effective and scalable.

Candidates for the Senior Manager, Innovation role at Old Navy should possess a Bachelor's degree in business or a related field, with at least 5 years of experience in digital strategy or innovation, preferably in eCommerce. Strong skills in Agile methodologies, Design Thinking, and an understanding of digital tools and platforms are crucial, along with the ability to influence senior leadership.

At Old Navy, we cultivate a culture of innovation by empowering our Senior Manager, Innovation to lead by example. This entails instilling customer-centric thinking throughout the organization, mentoring team members, and creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, ensuring that our initiatives align with both consumer needs and business objectives.

Success as a Senior Manager, Innovation at Old Navy requires strong leadership, exceptional problem-solving skills, and proficiency in Agile methodologies and Design Thinking. Candidates should also have advanced digital skills and the ability to communicate complex strategies clearly and effectively across all levels of the organization.

The career growth potential for a Senior Manager, Innovation at Old Navy is significant. With a focus on mentorship, strategic influence, and organizational development, there are ample opportunities to advance within the organization, potentially moving into senior-level executive roles as you demonstrate your impact and leadership capabilities.

When addressing customer needs, I will emphasize gathering qualitative and quantitative insights directly from consumers and integrating these findings into our innovation strategies. It's important to present these insights to senior leadership in a compelling way, demonstrating how they align with both innovation objectives and broader business goals.

I believe effective cross-functional collaboration starts with building strong relationships and open communication. My approach involves regular check-ins with team members from different functions to understand their perspectives and challenges and ensuring everyone is aligned on our strategic initiatives and goals.

In my previous roles, I've utilized Agile methodologies to foster rapid iteration and feedback in our innovation projects. This approach not only enhances productivity but also ensures that we remain adaptive to changes and evolving customer needs. I will discuss specific projects where Agile practices have led to successful outcomes.

I focus on creating a supportive environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and asking questions. I utilize a combination of one-on-one sessions, collaborative workshops, and regular feedback to help them grow. Sharing practical experiences and best practices is key to nurturing their development.

I once presented a comprehensive business case to senior leaders, synthesizing market research and consumer insights that highlighted a significant opportunity for growth. By aligning the initiative with our company’s strategic goals and showcasing potential ROI, I successfully gained executive buy-in, leading to project approval.

Staying current with emerging trends in eCommerce requires a proactive approach. I regularly follow industry publications, participate in webinars, and attend conferences. Additionally, I engage with peers and experts through networking platforms to share insights and best practices.

I employ a range of metrics to evaluate success, including customer satisfaction scores, sales growth, and overall engagement metrics. Regularly reviewing these metrics allows us to iterate on our strategies and make necessary adjustments to enhance effectiveness.

I introduced Design Thinking methodologies to my team, leading workshops that focused on empathizing with our customers, defining problems, ideating solutions, prototyping, and testing. This structured approach has allowed us to create innovative solutions that truly resonate with our consumers.

I foster a culture of innovation by encouraging creativity and curiosity. This means providing team members with opportunities to explore new ideas without fear of failure, celebrating innovative thinking, and regularly allocating time for brainstorming sessions that can lead to groundbreaking projects.

One of the largest challenges was resistance to change from within the organization. I overcame this by engaging stakeholders early in the process, actively listening to their concerns, and demonstrating through pilot projects how innovative approaches could yield tangible benefits, ultimately gaining their support.