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Director Open Innovation Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Director, Product (KYB)

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$243K - $255K/yr

Picture yourself at the forefront of innovation, contributing to our award-winning platform that ... We host informative, fun sessions and celebrations that are often open to the entire organization.

New

Builds trust, open communication, and positive working relationships across Cabinet, school leaders ... Fosters innovation, leads organizations through change, and routinely modernizes processes and ...

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Director Open Innovation information

See Portland, OR salary details

$21K

$110.3K

$185.8K

How much do director open innovation jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for director open innovation in Portland, OR is $110,339.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,929.00 and $168,283.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 popular job titles related to Director Open Innovation jobs in Portland, OR?

For Director Open Innovation jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Open Innovation jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Open Innovation jobs in Portland, OR are:

What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Director Open Innovation jobs?

Cities near Portland, OR with the most Director Open Innovation job openings:

Director, Training & NSW Innovation Footwear Product Design

Nike

Beaverton, OR • On-site

$161K - $198K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Nike rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 276 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 105 rated fashion retailers


Job description

We're looking for a Design Director Footwear Innovation to join the team at Nike.
The Design Director Footwear innovation has a passion for Footwear design,working in and leading a team, and a Passion to create the Future of Sport.
WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH
You will collaborate and mentor within the Innovation design team (industrial designers, materials, color, computational, etc.), and work hand in hand with a project team of different professionals (product managers, developers, researchers, marketing, engineers, etc.). This role reports directly the VP Innovation Footwear Design. You will manage a team of 2 product designers, collaborate with Materials, Digital designers, Color designers and build and direct larger projects teams.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
As our Design Director Footwear Innovation you will direct the creation of industry-leading footwear and innovations bringing bold concepts to life. You will solve complex design challenges and create iconic products that inspire through both function and form.
We value strong problem solving in providing athletes* with measurable benefits in performance that are matched with breathtaking iconic designs. You will research the Athlete and ideate on future solutions for Performance footwear.
The ideal candidate is a visionary designer with experience designing performance footwear, exceptional taste, a refined aesthetic point of view, and an unwavering commitment to craft. They bring a sharp eye for detail, proportion, materiality, and execution, consistently delivering elevated design solutions. Through strong creative leadership, they will develop compelling products that resonate with Nikes consumer.
With a deep understanding of Sport, cultural relevance, consumer insights, and emerging trends, this individual will continually challenge industry conventions and set a high standard for creativity, desirability, and Innovative thinking.
WHAT YOU'LL WORK ON
In Nike Innovation, you will work as the leader of a team that designs and pushes the possibilities of the human potential through footwear (and beyond). We expect you to lead and explore new opportunities, take risks, and change the game! In your day to day, you will engage with project teammates on researching, gaining insights, problem solving around performance and manufacturing, working with athletes, and crafting a vast range of creative and appealing solutions, that are also sustainable and considerate of cost. As a leader you will help your team to also participate and present the work in informal and formal reviews. As a design leader designer with deep knowledge and experience in footwear, you will be seen as a team leader and mentor for other designers.
  • Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, a related field or equivalent combination of education, experience or training

  • 8 years' experience designing and developing innovative footwear and other products

  • Knowledge of form, color, materials, human factors, related to elevating the consumer experience

  • Ability to translate consumer knowledge and insights into product solutions and narratives

  • Experience in technical footwear design - Perfomance footwear is a plus

  • Strong Photoshop, Illustrator skills

  • Must be able to build accurate 2D technical drawings (tech packs) and have the knowledge to direct/coach the team to build them

  • Cobbling and prototyping skills are a plus

  • 3D design programs experience is a plus

  • Strong sketching, illustration, and rendering skills

  • Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials

  • Knowledge and experience with sustainable design and manufacturing are a plus

  • Experienced with presentation programs: Keynote, PowerPoint, Acrobat, etc.

  • Positive personality and energy

  • Ability and passion to lead, mentor and onboard Design teammates

  • Contribute and align to shared team culture and behaviors

  • Catalyst to make connections with other Design groups

  • Lead + drive partnerships beyond the Design function (Marketing, Engineering, Development, etc.)

  • Motivated and hardworking about bringing others along

  • Extraordinary teammate, and humble leader

  • Collaborator with a skill in connecting the dots

  • Speaks up with courage for self and the team

  • Open minded, good listener, receptive to candid feedback and diverse points of view

We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.

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