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Director Innovation Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Umd

Innovation Manager

College Park, MD · On-site

$1.2K/wk

The Innovation Manager reports to the Executive Director of UM Ventures, College Park. PREFERENCES: Education: Ph.D. Preferred. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with six (6) ...

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$37.9K

$133.1K

$221.4K

How much do director innovation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for director innovation in Washington is $133,058.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,600.00 and $177,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of innovation do?

A Director of Innovation leads an organization's efforts to develop and implement new ideas, technologies, and strategies that drive growth and competitive advantage. They research market trends, foster a culture of innovation, and collaborate with teams to bring new products, services, or processes to life. Their role involves strategic planning, identifying opportunities for innovation, and managing projects that enhance business performance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of innovation?

To thrive as a Director of Innovation, you need expertise in strategic planning, product development, and business analysis, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with project management tools, innovation frameworks, and data analytics platforms is highly beneficial. Strong leadership, creative problem-solving, and excellent interpersonal communication set standout candidates apart in this position. These capabilities are crucial for effectively driving change, fostering a culture of innovation, and ensuring the organization remains competitive in a dynamic marketplace.

What are the main challenges a director of innovation typically faces in this role?

A Director of Innovation often deals with balancing the need for creative, out-of-the-box thinking with the practical requirements of business viability and risk management. Navigating resistance to change and securing stakeholder buy-in across different departments can be significant challenges. The role usually involves managing cross-functional teams and building bridges between R&D, marketing, and operations to drive projects forward. Being able to translate visionary ideas into actionable initiatives, while ensuring alignment with organizational goals, is essential for long-term success in this position.

What are the most commonly searched types of Innovation jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Innovation jobs in Washington are:

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For Director Innovation jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Innovation jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Innovation jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Director Innovation jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Director Innovation job openings:

Director Innovation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Innovation job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,058 per year, or $64 per hour.

Director, Innovation

Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
About the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES): Our mission is to secure a safe and stable climate by accelerating the transition to a thriving, just, and resilient low-carbon economy. We are widely recognized as an influential voice on climate issues, a trusted convener, and a credible source of expertise and analysis. We work closely with international climate negotiators; federal, state, and local policymakers; executives of Fortune 500 businesses; and a wide range of other stakeholders to advance strong policy and action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote clean energy, and strengthen resilience to climate impacts. C2ES is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization.
Our organizational values: We are ambitious and practical, advancing effective solutions that push the boundaries of the achievable. We are open-minded and inclusive, seeking out and considering a wide range of voices, views, and approaches. We are people-focused, dedicated to improving human well-being and recognizing that respect and empathy are central to success. We are one team, working collaboratively, communicating openly, making ourselves accessible to each other, and treating one another with kindness and respect.
Job Description:
The Director, Innovation will lead C2ES's growing Innovation Program, overseeing and strengthening the organization's existing work with companies, experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders, while also developing and executing new programmatic initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a combination of relevant innovation policy expertise, technical and market knowledge of key clean energy technologies, a keen strategic and program management skills, and experience managing high-performing teams - and will be poised for an inflection point in their career trajectory and growth as a leader, and ready to take on significant program leadership responsibilities.
The Director, Innovation, will report to the Vice President for Policy and Outreach, and will be given substantial autonomy and responsibility in developing the organization's strategic direction for this area of work, and building out a team to deliver impact. This position offers an exciting opportunity for leadership, professional development and real-world impact, at an exciting time of organizational growth.
Major Responsibilities:
Requirements
Program Strategy and Execution
  • Working with the VP for Policy and Outreach, develop a strategy for an expanded innovation program at C2ES that aligns with and informs the organization's broader strategy, and draws on C2ES core competencies;
  • Working with the VP for Policy and Outreach and with the C2ES development team, articulate a compelling vision for the innovation work that can inspire significant investment and new resources from a range of funders;
  • Direct and execute C2ES's existing innovation programs at a high-level, including ongoing workstreams focused on cross-cutting innovation challenges, engineered carbon removal, sustainable aviation fuel, clean hydrogen, and clean firm technologies, as part of our Technology Working Groups;
  • Build and manage a highly effective team to deliver impact;
  • Represent C2ES, and provide substantive leadership in coalition efforts focused on developing an innovation policy agenda;
  • Working with the C2ES Advocacy team, lead the development of C2ES's strategy in the federal appropriations process, including engagement with congressional offices and coalition partners, as well as the submission of appropriations requests;
  • Conceptualize, meet and track progress against program objectives and deliverables, including contributing to the development of grant proposals, reports and budgets;
  • Conceptualize, develop and execute convenings with stakeholders to explore policy approaches to accelerating innovation;
  • Represent C2ES with policymakers, media and other stakeholders, including public speaking opportunities (e.g., panels, webinars, briefings);
  • Manage consultants as necessary.

Policy and Thought Leadership
  • Leverage strong expertise in policy, including an understanding of existing state and federal programs and incentives available to support the development and commercialization of emerging clean energy technologies, particularly engineered carbon removal, sustainable aviation fuel, clean hydrogen, and clean firm technologies;
  • Synthesize technical, market, policy, and stakeholder input to identify policy and programmatic opportunities that advance clean energy innovation;
  • Identify and recommend organizational policy priorities for accelerating technology-inclusive approaches to strengthen the U.S. innovation ecosystem and U.S. global technology leadership, and strategies to advance those priorities;
  • Provide subject matter expertise and internal thought leadership on opportunities to advance clean energy innovation and scale the organization's impact;
  • Provide thought leadership to external stakeholders, including companies and policymakers, on approaches to accelerate clean energy innovation;
  • Work with key internal partners to conceptualize, develop, manage and produce C2ES research and analytical products relating to innovation;

Enterprise Leadership
As a senior C2ES staff member, contribute to:
  • the organization's strategic planning, direction and development objectives;
  • a strong organizational culture, including with respect to the organization's priorities around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB);
  • the strengthening of internal capacity and core competencies, and;
  • the alignment of staff responsibilities and resources across C2ES programs and initiatives.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) expectations:
  • Participate in monthly all-staff DEI meetings;
  • Demonstrate commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment;
  • Complete trainings during on-boarding and on a yearly basis.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., economics, environmental or energy policy, environmental studies, political science) with at least 12 years of relevant experience; OR
  • Master's degree in science and technology, energy or environmental policy, political science or related field, with at least 9 years of relevant experience;
  • Strong understanding of the U.S. innovation ecosystem, including federal funding and programs, commercialization pathways, project finance, technology transfer mechanisms, and regional technology hubs;
  • Experience supervising, mentoring and supporting professional development for staff;
  • Experience managing teams and collaboration across programs while balancing staff and resource allocation across competing priorities;
  • Independent, self-starter with a strong interest in taking ownership of a growing innovation program;
  • Positive, constructive and outcomes focused attitude;
  • Experience engaging stakeholders, particularly companies, in the climate and energy sector;
  • A strong, relevant network among NGOs, companies, agencies, congressional offices, trade associations, etc.;
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
  • Self-motivated, and able to work both independently and collaboratively;
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Commitment to C2ES values, including knowledge of, or experience in advancing issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and environmental/climate justice;
  • Flexibility, willingness to pitch in at all levels, and a team player;
  • Humility, collegiality, a sense of humor, and a deep spirit of collaboration.

Status: Full-time, benefits eligible. This position is ideally based in Washington, D.C., with consideration for exceptional, remote candidates.
Starting Salary Range: $127,000 - $158,000, depending on experience and qualifications
To apply, please submit resume, cover letter and relevant, sole-authored writing sample
Reporting to: Vice President, Policy and Outreach
Travel and Location: C2ES operates a hybrid work environment from our office in downtown Washington, DC. Strong preference will be given to applicants in (or willing to relocate to) the Washington, DC metro area, with physical presence expected in the office at least 2 to 3 days per week. Remote candidates may be considered only if they demonstrate exceptional fit and ability to travel and participate in DC-based convenings and stakeholder engagement, as well as periodic All-Hands meetings (currently four weeks per year).
Benefits Offered:
  • Health Insurance. C2ES offers 80% of premiums for a specific platinum-level health insurance reference plan, the dollar value of which may be applied to any platinum-level plan offered to us on the DC Health Link marketplace. The remainder of the premiums for the plan chosen by the employee will be deducted pretax from the employee's paycheck.
  • Dental Insurance. C2ES covers 100% of the dental premiums.
  • Vision Insurance: Employee covers the total cost of this plan.
  • Long Term Disability and Short-Term Disability.
  • DC Paid Family Leave (employes working in the DC office)
  • Retirement Plan - C2ES contribution 5% towards 403B
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
  • Group Life insurance and Voluntary Life insurance.
  • Leave Time: New employees start accumulating 3 weeks' vacation per year.
  • Sick time: up to 10 days per year.
  • Personal Leave: Up to Two personal days per year.
  • Parental Leave
  • FMLA Leave
  • Holidays: C2ES observes 13 holidays during the year. Additionally, the organization closes in the last week of year.
  • Hybrid and flexible environment.

We are fully committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. We believe we will only be effective in developing and advocating climate solutions if we have a diverse range of voices and perspectives represented within C2ES, in our work, and among our partners. C2ES is committed to creating and growing a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization and among the stakeholders we collaborate with and convene. By fostering this culture, we can enhance our work and amplify our impact. We encourage individuals of all races, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, sexual identities, and abilities to apply for this position. For more on C2ES's DEIJ policy, visit: https://www.c2es.org/about/diversity-equity-inclusion-and-justice

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