Innovation Concept Manager, Running and Sport

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

JOB MISSION:

A New Balance Innovation Concept Manager works with the product creation organization to deliver disruptive products and product experiences for their respective Business Unit and sport-specific athlete needs. Included in this is project management; leading a matrix team of designers, engineers, and developers; systems coordination and creative discussion facilitation.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:
As an Innovation Concept Manager you need strong operational, organizational, collaboration, and communication skills to lead a cross-functional team to achieve delivering novel footwear solutions. You will be developing a strong and consistent relationship with product categories, defining insights based on athlete needs that both support and identify growth opportunities within a product category, and assessing Innovation strategies within the company while helping a cross-functional team execute product-level solutions.

Strategic Leader:

• Support key Innovation initiatives and projects as assigned and collaborate on delivering Brand-level stories through connected Innovation team efforts.

• Deliver seamless product and technology handoffs and transitions to inline teams, ensuring best practices, lessons learned, and key takeaways are transitioned with product solutions.

• Collaborate closely across departments including Product, Marketing, Operations, and Athlete Services to ensure a cohesive and integrated Innovation approach to each unique project. Act as the liaison between the Innovation team and other departments, fostering a collaborative and communicative work environment.

• Proactively identify challenges and bottlenecks within the development of a project, working collaboratively with the Global Innovation team to implement effective solutions.

• Manage extended product creation timelines and drive collaboration within a cross-functional Innovation team while effectively engaging necessary stakeholders across the organization.

Future Thinker:

• Work with Global partners across the Brand to envision future experiences and concepts. Leverage corporate strategy, athlete, and consumer insights teams to identify unmet needs.Build powerful stories to help communicate product intent.

• Work with Global partners and new vendors to envision future footwear applications. Leverage corporate strategy, athlete, and consumer insights teams to identify unmet needs.

• Collaborate within the Concept Management team and with Design, Engineering (including Sports Research), Project Management, Marketing, and Operations teams lead to ensure that project focus areas align with, and lead, the discussion around the evolving needs of the desired consumers and brand stakeholders.

• Guide matrix teams through the facilitation of creative problem-solving strategies at various stages of the product development cycle.

Athlete-Consumer Connector:

• Represent the needs of the consumer, athlete, and Brand throughout the project lifecycle. Grow and develop relationships with inline stakeholders, Innovation team members, and a broad external network of key contributors to drive momentum in the Innovation process.

• Work with Consumer and Athlete Insights teams, Business Unit partners to uncover and develop unique market and performance insights. Forecast future trends to understand how performance and market expectations with change over the lifecycle of a project.

• Be the point-person for external partner relationships on sport-specific Category-level projects and product solutions.

REQUIRMENTS FOR SUCCESS:

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 5 years of experience managing technical product or Innovation projects at leading footwear brand.

• Proven ability to uncover unique athlete insights and translate insights into new solutions for performance.

• Extremely strong project management skills including ability to manage multiple projects at different stages simultaneously.

• Demonstrated ability to engage diverse stakeholders around a shared vision. Understands the value of diverse talents and perspectives and encourages diversity of thought and ideas.

• Proven track record of leading matrix teams to successful outcomes, translating technical, niche knowledge to a wide audience.

• Strong creative problem-solving and communication skills required.

• Passion for, and knowledge of sport.

• Domestic and international travel required.

Regular Associate Benefits

Our products are only as good as the people we hire, so we make sure to hire the best and treat them accordingly. New Balance offers a comprehensive traditional benefits package including three options for medical insurance as well as dental, vision, life insurance and 401K. We also proudly offer a slate of more nontraditional perks - opportunities like online learning and development courses, tuition reimbursement, $100 monthly student loan support and various mentorship programs - that encourage our associates to grow personally as they develop professionally. You'll also enjoy a yearly $1,000 lifestyle reimbursement, 4 weeks of vacations, 12 holidays and generous parental leave, because work-life balance is more than just a buzzword - it's part of our culture.

Temporary associates are provided three options for medical insurance as well as dental and vision insurance and an associate discount.

Part time associates are provided 401k, short term disability, a yearly $300 lifestyle reimbursement and an associate discount.

Flexible Work Schedule

For decades we have fostered a unique culture founded on our values with a particular focus on in-person teamwork and collaboration. Our North American hybrid model encourages rich in-person experiences, showcasing our commitment to teamwork and connection, while maintaining flexibility for associates. New Balance Associates currently work in office three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Our offices are fully open, and amenities are available across our North American office locations. To continue our focus on hybrid work we have introduced "Work from Anywhere" (WFA) for four weeks per calendar year. This model will help us enhance our culture while continuing to maintain elements of flexibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer

New Balance provides equal opportunities for all current and prospective associates and takes affirmative action to ensure that employment, training, compensation, transfer, promotion and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment are provided without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, handicap, genetic information and/or status as an Armed Forces service medal veteran, recently separated veteran, qualified disabled veteran or other protected veteran.