Innovation Manager
In Places, we don't sit back and let things happen, we make things happen, and we do this in service to all Apple employees and customers. Our team is a diverse and nimble group that manages Apple's retail stores, workplaces, and workplace services. We develop and manage Apple's global real estate portfolio, lead all related capital construction projects, provide outstanding facilities and site services, develop and lead sustainability initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of all Apple facilities, including commute and renewable energy programs, and do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of all Apple personnel, facilities, and customers in our facilities around the world. The Workplace Design Team, part of the Places organization is seeking an Innovation Manager to spearhead innovation initiatives within our organization, focusing on developing and implementing standards for finish materials, architectural design, lighting systems, and furniture systems. Your role will be to enhance aesthetics, performance, functionality, and sustainability while driving creativity and consistency across all workplace and corporate facilities. We are seeking a creative problem-solver, detail-oriented, technically astute professional to join our team as an Innovation Manager to drive the adoption of innovative design solutions across our global portfolio.
Description
As an Innovation Manager, you will spearhead innovation initiatives within our organization, focusing on developing, validating, and implementing standards for finish materials, architectural design, lighting systems, and furniture systems, and enhance aesthetics, performance, functionality, and sustainability while driving creativity and consistency across all workplace and corporate facilities. You will work closely with the design team, cross-functional partners, and external collaborators to ensure innovative solutions are aligned with business needs and sustainability goals.
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Responsibilities
- Oversee, develop and implement strategic innovation initiatives for architectural components, materials, systems, space types, lighting, and furniture; lead and motivate cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with these strategies.
- Collaborate with teams to develop and refine comprehensive standards; engage with internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders to educate and foster alignment with innovation strategies.
- Develop, prepare and present business cases and recommendations to team, leadership and stakeholders on innovation strategies and best practices.
- Maintain continuous research industry trends, emerging technologies, regulations, and best practices; drive innovation in finish materials and ensure sustainability principles are integrated into all innovation initiatives.
- Foster and maintain excellent relationships with stakeholders, internal partners and vendors.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Industrial Design, Engineering, or a related field.
- 10+ Years of proven design/R&D management, product development, architecture, construction or related industry experience leading cross-functional teams in Architectural materials and systems development, encompassing research and design to prototyping and testing.
- Strong background in materials science, with a focus on finish materials, extensive technical knowledge of construction materials and systems.
- Proficient in design (CAD/Revit), presentation, rendering, MacOS or Microsoft tools.
- Experience in developing comprehensive documentation packages with excellent verbal, written, presentation skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Deep expertise in architectural design, lighting, and furniture trends.
- Knowledge of sustainability principles and practices in architectural design and construction.
- Demonstrated experience in all stages of validation prototyping from design through production.
- Demonstrated experience in new product introduction.
- Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing standards for materials, design, or related areas.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
- Previous experience collaborating with external partners, suppliers, and manufacturers.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $175,300 and $263,100, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant .
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