About the RoleAs a Senior Manager, Innovation on the Innovation and Platform Operations (IPO) Team, you will take a prominent role in shaping and driving innovation strategies that align with Old Navy’s long-term vision and business objectives. Building on the foundation of strategic consulting and ideation, this role
expands to include mentorship, organizational influence, and the ownership of high-impact initiatives from conceptualization to executive alignment.
You’ll lead the exploration of transformative opportunities, guiding the team through the development of innovative solutions that prioritize customer-centric outcomes and substantial business value. With a focus on providing strategic oversight and thought leadership, you’ll empower cross-functional teams to
drive progress while maintaining a clear focus on strategic priorities.
Leading Without Authority remains a cornerstone of this role, with an added emphasis on influencing senior stakeholders, shaping organizational strategies, and fostering a culture of innovation. The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with deep expertise in digital strategy, a proven ability to align diverse perspectives, and a passion for reimagining customer experiences.
This role reports to the Director, Innovation Management.What You'll Do
Customer-Centric Approach
- Act as a chief advocate for the customer, instilling a culture of curiosity and a deep understanding of consumer needs across the organization.
- Champion customer-centric thinking by ensuring initiatives are designed to elevate the customer experience and deliver measurable value.
Strategic Innovation and Thought Leadership
- Drive the strategic vision for innovation, ensuring alignment with company goals while identifying untapped opportunities for transformation.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, facilitating discussions on complex topics, synthesizing diverse perspectives, and guiding decision-making processes.
- Lead high-level strategic initiatives, ensuring clarity and alignment across business functions.
Mentorship and Team Development
- Mentor and develop team members, fostering an environment of growth, creativity, and collaboration.
- Guide junior team members and peers in adopting innovative practices, Design Thinking methodologies, and customer-centric frameworks.
Innovation Processes and Organizational Influence
- Enhance and oversee innovation frameworks, from ideation to validation, ensuring scalability and impact.
- Act as a key player in defining organizational strategies that integrate innovation into core business processes.
- Introduce and champion best practices for testing, benchmarking, and iterating on new ideas.
Cross-Functional Leadership and Collaboration
- Build and nurture strong relationships across business, product, and technical teams to create a cohesive approach to innovation.
- Act as a liaison between senior leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and clarity on strategic initiatives.
Executive Communication and Influence
- Shape and deliver compelling presentations that articulate the vision, priorities, and value of strategic initiatives to executive stakeholders.
- Develop clear narratives that connect innovation efforts to overarching business objectives, driving buy-in at all levels of the organization.
Data-Driven Decision Making and Market Insights
- Lead data-driven decision-making processes, integrating qualitative and quantitative insights to inform strategies.
- Stay ahead of emerging trends, tools, and technologies, leveraging market insights to drive innovation.
Who You Are
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in business, information technology, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
- 5+ years of experience in digital strategy, innovation, or a related field, preferably in eCommerce or a similarly dynamic environment.
Key Skills
- Demonstrated success in leading large-scale innovation initiatives with measurable impact.
- Proven ability to influence senior leaders and cross-functional teams through strategic insights and clear communication.
- Deep expertise in Agile methodologies, Design Thinking, and customer-centered innovation practices.
- Advanced proficiency in digital tools and platforms, including analytics tools, JIRA/Confluence, and collaboration software like Miro.
Personal Attributes
- Visionary leader with a strong ability to inspire and drive organizational change.
- Exceptional problem-solving skills, with a balance of creativity and analytical rigor.
- Highly adaptable and collaborative, thriving in fast-paced, complex environments.
- Strong attention to detail, paired with an ability to prioritize and focus on the big picture.
Preferred Skills
- Experience in a senior consulting role, product strategy, or executive advisory capacity.
- Advanced technical fluency, with familiarity in web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and emerging digital platforms.
Top Skills
What We Do
In 1969, Don and Doris Fisher opened the first Gap store on Ocean Avenue in San Francisco. They wanted to make it easier to find a great pair of jeans, and they did. Their denim and records store was a hit, and it grew to become one of the world’s most iconic brands.
Today we’re represented in more than 1400 stores in over 40 countries, and online. We have headquarters in New York, London, Shanghai, Tokyo, and, of course, San Francisco.
Our unique aesthetic is optimistic cool, elevated American style. Our clothes are crafted with care, with focused attention to thoughtful design. We believe in staying true to our heritage while creating what’s next.
Don and Doris Fisher always wanted to “do more than sell clothes.” They wanted to support the people who ran their company, to be active in their communities, and to have a positive impact on the world. Their vision helped transform retail, and we’re still following their lead.
We stand for freedom and possibility for all; we champion diverse ideas that transcend generations, geographies and genders.
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