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Director Open Innovation Jobs in Poway, CA (NOW HIRING)

Chick-fil-A

Team Director

Vista, CA · On-site

$23.50 - $25/hr

Oversee and execute day-to-day operations, including opening and closing routines, shift execution ... Contribute to long-term planning and innovation within the restaurant Qualifications * Proven ...

Chick-fil-A

Team Director

Vista, CA · On-site

$23.50 - $25/hr

Oversee and execute day-to-day operations, including opening and closing routines, shift execution ... Contribute to long-term planning and innovation within the restaurant Qualifications * Proven ...

Luna Grill

Marketing - Director of Marketing

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$175K - $200K/yr

With 60+ restaurants across CA, TX, and AZ - and opening nearly one new restaurant every month in ... Collaborate with culinary teams on menu innovation and limited-time offer (LTO) strategy, including ...

Luna Grill

Director of Supply Chain

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$140K - $175K/yr

Director of Supply Chain Hybrid | San Diego County Preferred $140,000 - $175,000 DOE + Bonus Ready ... New Restaurant Openings * Menu Innovation & LTO Launches * Supplier Partnerships * Sustainability ...

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Director Open Innovation information

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 cities near Poway, CA are hiring for Director Open Innovation jobs?

Cities near Poway, CA with the most Director Open Innovation job openings:

Director Open Innovation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Open Innovation job openings in Poway, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

CULINARY DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

San Diego, CA

Gecko Hospitality
1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Gecko Hospitalityexternal

$120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

CULINARY DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

San Diego, California

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

A highly respected hospitality group is seeking an innovative and visionary Culinary Director of Research & Development to lead the creation, refinement, and execution of signature culinary experiences across a portfolio of unique restaurant concepts.

This is far more than a traditional Executive Chef role. The Culinary Director of Research & Development will serve as the organization's culinary innovator, responsible for developing memorable dishes, creating scalable systems, mentoring culinary leaders, and ensuring every menu item can be executed consistently while maintaining exceptional quality, operational efficiency, and profitability.

This position is ideal for a chef who thrives on creativity, continuous improvement, mentorship, and building culinary systems that support long-term growth.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Culinary Director of Research & Development will oversee recipe development, menu innovation, culinary standards, food costing, presentation, and execution across multiple restaurant concepts. Working closely with executive leadership and operations, this individual will transform creative culinary ideas into repeatable systems that deliver exceptional guest experiences while supporting operational excellence.

The ideal candidate has experience in high-level kitchens, possesses outstanding technical culinary knowledge, and understands how to balance artistry, execution, and financial performance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead culinary research and development initiatives across multiple restaurant concepts.

• Develop innovative menu items that become signature guest favorites.

• Design standardized recipes, preparation methods, plating guides, and execution procedures.

• Ensure culinary concepts are operationally efficient, scalable, and financially successful.

• Partner with operations leadership to implement new menu rollouts and culinary initiatives.

• Mentor Executive Chefs and culinary leadership teams through coaching, training, and ongoing development.

• Establish culinary standards that ensure consistency across all locations.

• Analyze food costs, yields, labor efficiency, waste reduction, and profitability.

• Collaborate with vendors to source premium ingredients while maintaining cost objectives.

• Develop training materials, recipe documentation, and culinary operating procedures.

• Continuously evaluate culinary trends, techniques, ingredients, and guest preferences.

• Support restaurant openings, menu launches, seasonal features, and culinary innovation projects.

• Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Progressive culinary leadership experience in high-quality, chef-driven restaurants.

• Experience leading culinary innovation, recipe development, and menu engineering.

• Strong understanding of food costing, purchasing, inventory, and kitchen financial performance.

• Demonstrated success mentoring Executive Chefs and culinary management teams.

• Exceptional technical cooking skills and knowledge of modern culinary techniques.

• Strong organizational and project management abilities.

• Ability to create systems that ensure consistent execution across multiple locations.

• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

• Passion for continuous learning, creativity, and culinary excellence.

IDEAL BACKGROUND

We are seeking chefs who have developed their careers in exceptional restaurant environments and are recognized for both their culinary creativity and operational discipline.

Candidates with experience in chef-driven restaurants, fine dining, upscale casual, hospitality groups, or multi-unit culinary leadership are encouraged to apply.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• $120,000 annual salary

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• 401(k)

• Paid Time Off

• Opportunity to shape the culinary direction of an innovative hospitality organization

• Collaborative leadership environment with significant growth potential

WHY THIS ROLE

This is an opportunity to influence the culinary identity of an entire restaurant group rather than a single kitchen. You'll help create memorable guest experiences through menu innovation, mentor talented culinary leaders, and build systems that ensure exceptional food can be consistently executed across multiple concepts.

If you're passionate about creating unforgettable dining experiences while balancing creativity, operational excellence, and business performance, we'd love to hear from you.