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Director Open Innovation Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Executive Director

East Bethel, MN · On-site

$150 - $170/hr

Drive program innovation, service expansion, and adoption of evidence-based practices. * Lead ... Must be open to meeting the cultural needs of individuals or communities, considering factors such ...

New

Executive Director

East Bethel, MN · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

Drive program innovation, service expansion, and adoption of evidence-based practices. * Lead ... Must be open to meeting the cultural needs of individuals or communities, considering factors such ...

Executive Director

East Bethel, MN · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

Drive program innovation, service expansion, and adoption of evidence-based practices. * Lead ... Must be open to meeting the cultural needs of individuals or communities, considering factors such ...

Executive Director

Cedar, MN · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

Drive program innovation, service expansion, and adoption of evidence-based practices. * Lead ... Must be open to meeting the cultural needs of individuals or communities, considering factors such ...

Senior Director 3M Element

Maplewood, MN · On-site +1

$287K - $351K/yr

Experience leading front-end innovation, venture development, incubation, or new business creation ... Chat with Max For assistance with searching through our current job openings or for more ...

Director of Distribution

Bloomington, MN · Hybrid

$137K - $192K/hr

Our community is passionate about pushing creative boundaries, sparking innovation in the industry ... DC openings, expansions, and major facility changes * Lead and integrate QBP's in house ...

Showing results 41-60

Director Open Innovation information

See Minnesota salary details

$20.4K

$107.3K

$180.7K

How much do director open innovation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for director open innovation in Minnesota is $107,346.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,439.00 and $163,717.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Director Open Innovation vs Innovation Manager?

AspectDirector Open InnovationInnovation Manager
CredentialsBachelor's or Master’s in Business, Engineering, or related fields; often requires experience in innovation or R&DBachelor's or Master’s in similar fields; focus on project management and innovation processes
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration, executive-level interactionsProject execution, team coordination, supporting innovation initiatives
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large corporations, tech firms, and R&D departmentsCommon in corporate innovation teams, startups, and product development units

The main difference is that the Director Open Innovation focuses on strategic leadership and high-level innovation initiatives, while the Innovation Manager handles day-to-day project execution and supports innovation processes. Both roles require relevant credentials and are integral to fostering innovation within organizations, but they differ in scope and seniority.

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

To thrive as a Director of Open Innovation, you need a strong background in innovation management, cross-industry collaboration, and strategic leadership, often supported by an advanced degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with open innovation platforms, intellectual property management systems, and experience with tools for partnership management are typically required. Outstanding relationship-building, negotiation, and change management skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are essential to successfully drive external collaborations, accelerate innovation pipelines, and deliver business value through strategic partnerships.

What is a director of open innovation?

A Director of Open Innovation is a senior leader responsible for driving innovation by fostering collaboration between an organization and external partners, such as startups, universities, and research institutions. They create and manage programs that encourage the exchange of ideas, technology, and knowledge to accelerate product development and solve complex business challenges. This role involves identifying strategic partnerships, overseeing innovation projects, and ensuring alignment with the company's goals. The Director of Open Innovation plays a key part in building an innovative culture and expanding the organization's capabilities beyond its internal resources.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of open innovation when integrating external partnerships into existing company structures?

A Director of Open Innovation often encounters challenges such as aligning external partners' goals with internal business objectives, managing intellectual property concerns, and ensuring smooth communication across different organizational cultures. Successfully integrating new ideas or technologies can require navigating resistance to change within the company and establishing clear processes for collaboration and knowledge sharing. Building trust, setting transparent expectations, and fostering strong internal advocacy are key strategies for overcoming these challenges and maximizing the value of external collaborations.
What are popular job titles related to Director Open Innovation jobs in Minnesota? For Director Open Innovation jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Open Innovation jobs in Minnesota look for? The top searched job categories for Director Open Innovation jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Director Open Innovation jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Director Open Innovation job openings:

Director of Operations

Meridian Restaurants Unlimited LC

Fergus Falls, MN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

Description:
The Director of Operations (DO) is responsible for the operations of a company owned market comprised of ten (10) to thirty five (35) restaurants. Above all, their key role is to monitor and improve customer satisfaction and profitability through efficient operations, living and exampling the company mission and values, and to protect the health of customers through food safety and sanitation. The Director of Operations overall focus is to:
• Increase average unit volume (AUV) of sales and control costs
• Drive operations excellence
Requirements:
These are listed and defined as follows:
Ethics/Integrity - Applies uncompromising ethical standards to all aspects of the business, both personally and in guiding others.
Valuing Diversity - Respects and understands individual differences in people, guiding actions and decisions accordingly.
Business Orientation/Customer Focus - Aligns own behavior and decisions with the needs and goals of BKC. Understands and interprets organization results and uses them to guide actions. Works to help customers "Have it their way" by focusing on meeting and exceeding their needs without compromising BKC's position or standards.
Technical/Specialized Knowledge - Demonstrates the capacity to apply technical/professional knowledge and distributes that knowledge to others.
Innovation/Flexibility - Adapts to changes in the environment, both business and personal. Develops creative ideas or approaches to address a situation or issue. Takes measured risks and encourages others to be open to new ideas.
Self-Improvement - Actively develops own skills and creates opportunities for personal learning and development.
Tactical Planning/Execution - Develops plans to accomplish BKC goals and objectives; executes plans using necessary resources.
Results Orientation/Decision Making - Takes accountability and demonstrates drive in delivering superior results. Displays clear purpose, enthusiasm, and commitment to deliver both short and long term business goals. Confronts issues/problems with directed and focused actions in a timely and reasoned manner.
Coaching/Training - Improves others' performance by providing opportunities for continuous learning and development and empowering others to take advantage of these opportunities.
Managing/Resolving Conflict - Brings conflict out into the open and attempts to resolve collaboratively. Works toward win/win solutions whenever possible.
Communication - Listens, speaks, and writes effectively in a variety of circumstances, sharing information and ideas with others.
Foster Teamwork - Creates an environment allowing people to work cooperatively; actively participates in the team.
Influence/Advocacy - Persuades, influences or gains the support of others and causes them to take action.
Challenge - Strives to challenge self and others at every junction. Comfortable in a culture, which demands that one, thinks on his/her feet. Takes responsibility for ensuring that others have thought through their actions.
Additional Info:
Other Key Responsibilities:
1. Sales Building - Work with DCO and Restaurant Management team to determine sales and profit goals. Assist in the development of sales building activities and monitor sales performance evaluating success of these activities. Provide input to Restaurant Management on local programs to maximize the impact of local restaurant marketing. Review current national marketing programs and the associated impact on the market
2. Business Planning - Develop yearly business plans with Restaurant and formerly review on a quarterly basis. Integrate area plan into overall plan for the ADI, with a focus on sales and financial performance. Identify and redirect resources required to achieve goals.
3. Monitor/Manage Restaurants' Financial Performance - Analyze and report weekly on controllables, sales and profits to ensure accurate and timely financial tracking. Track variances and analyze financial performance on an ongoing basis to identify potential problems in meeting financial goals. Consult with restaurant management, DCO, and controllers on issues and problems reflected in financials and problems affecting profitability. Ensure execution of operating standards that optimize return on assets and increases sales and improves profits, achieve ROPO goals.
4. Restaurant Business Management - Serve as a source of expertise for others regarding the industry's changing technology, competition and legal requirements. Evaluate practices against legal standards and facilitate compliance, ensuring government regulations (Federal, State, Local) are upheld by all management staff. Assist restaurant management to balance profits with operations and people development. Serve as a conduit for obtaining required resources. Monitor restaurant management performance against established goals. Work with restaurant management team to ensure good public relations efforts that enhance and preserve Burger King as a positive member of the community.
5. Restaurant Operations Consultation and Trouble Shooting - Work with restaurant managers in overcoming obstacles to effective operations. Conduct restaurant visitations and follow-up visits to assess QSC and operational excellence. Reinforce and follow-up on established strategies, actions plans and operational issues. Work with restaurant management team to deal with tough customer problems and ensure guest complaints are resolved in the correct manner and with a sense of urgency. Ensure all restaurants operate at a high quality level with emphasis on guest service while adhering to all health and safety company standards and procedures.
6. Manage and Lead Restaurant Management Teams - Utilize communications processes to ensure all staff are aware of organizational strategies, company and restaurant goals and expectations, and BK performance standards. Counsel and develop RM's in the achievement of company standards. Assist in the development of and monitor and evaluate the achievement against performance and development plans. Coach and counsel RM's regarding career interests, strengths and weaknesses, and career progression. Assist in the training of and coordination of training for restaurant management. Stay in constant contact with Human resources representative on employee relations issues.
7. Monitor/Manage Restaurants' People Processes - Assist restaurant management in determining staffing needs and position requirements for crew. Authorize labor hour allowances as required to maintain efficient operations. Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory guidelines, such as Affirmative Action, labor laws, I-9's and ADA. Ensure proper training is successfully completed of all company restaurant personnel in relation to their job position and development. Perform training audit on each company restaurant annually. Carry out performance compliance reviews as and when required. Work with Staffing Coordinator to select qualified restaurant management candidates for restaurants
8. Communications and Administration - Plan, organize and conduct meetings with restaurant management and other Burger King functions. Respond to requests for information, reports, and other communications from restaurants on a timely basis. Complete administrative activities related to managing people and a business.
9. Team Membership and Involvement - Serve as an active participant of your BK field team. Attend meetings with teams from other areas to share expertise, innovations and solve area issues. Stay informed about issues in other areas, assess how they may affect your own area and take action as needed. Share best practices with other teams and areas as appropriate.
10. Self-Development - Stay abreast of industry changes. Set and achieve goals against development plan. Build team-related and leadership skills. Participate in seminars and training offered at BK meetings and other functions. Participate in special projects.