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Innovation Program Manager Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Maverick RF Solutions

Program Manager

Louisville, CO · On-site

$121K - $241K/yr

Our team fosters a culture that emphasizes technical excellence, innovation, and pride in our ... As a program manager, you will be responsible for the guidance of complex programs through their ...

Canopy A&D

Program Manager

Littleton, CO · On-site

About Canopy Aerospace & Defense Canopy Technologies is the R&D innovation engine powering Canopy ... Role Overview As a Program Manager at Canopy Technologies, you will lead cross-functional teams to ...

Sierra Space Corporation

Sr Program Manager

Louisville, CO · On-site

$121K - $121K/yr

Sierra Space team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can ... About the Role The Sr. Program Manager is responsible for leading a program and has overall ...

Sierra Space Corporation

Sr Program Manager

Centennial, CO · On-site

$119K - $119K/yr

Sierra Space team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can ... About the Role The Sr. Program Manager is responsible for leading a program and has overall ...

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All JobsInnovation Program Manager JobsInnovation Program Manager Jobs in Colorado

Innovation Program Manager information

See Colorado salary details

$40.5K

$113K

$165.1K

How much do innovation program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for innovation program manager in Colorado is $112,997.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,600.00 and $139,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Innovation Program Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Innovation Program Manager, you need expertise in project management, strategy development, and a background in business or technology, often supported by a relevant degree or certifications like PMP. Familiarity with innovation frameworks, agile methodologies, and collaboration tools such as Jira or Trello is typically required. Strong leadership, creative problem-solving, and effective stakeholder communication are critical soft skills that set top performers apart. These skills enable the successful design, execution, and scaling of innovative initiatives, ensuring organizational growth and competitive advantage.

What does an Innovation Program Manager do?

An Innovation Program Manager oversees and coordinates initiatives that drive innovation within an organization. They design, implement, and manage programs that encourage creative thinking, development of new products, and improvement of existing processes. Their responsibilities often include collaborating with cross-functional teams, managing budgets, measuring program outcomes, and fostering a culture of innovation. By identifying emerging trends and technologies, they help organizations stay competitive and adapt to changes in the market.

What is the difference between Innovation Program Manager vs Product Manager?

AspectInnovation Program ManagerProduct Manager
Primary FocusDeveloping and managing innovation initiatives and programsOverseeing product development and lifecycle
Required SkillsInnovation strategy, project management, cross-functional collaborationProduct design, market analysis, user experience
Work EnvironmentCorporate innovation labs, R&D departments, cross-industryTech companies, consumer goods, software firms
CertificationsProject management, innovation management certificationsProduct management certifications (e.g., Pragmatic, Scrum)

While both roles involve strategic planning and cross-functional work, the Innovation Program Manager focuses on fostering new ideas and managing innovation initiatives, whereas the Product Manager concentrates on developing and delivering specific products to market.

How does an Innovation Program Manager typically foster collaboration across different departments?

An Innovation Program Manager often acts as a bridge between various teams—such as R&D, marketing, finance, and operations—to drive new initiatives. They facilitate workshops, organize cross-functional meetings, and implement structured processes for idea generation and evaluation. By maintaining open communication channels and aligning stakeholders on shared goals, they ensure that innovative projects have broad support and clear direction. This collaborative approach is essential to overcome silos and accelerate the implementation of creative solutions.
What are popular job titles related to Innovation Program Manager jobs in Colorado? For Innovation Program Manager jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Innovation Program Manager jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Innovation Program Manager jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Innovation Program Manager jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Innovation Program Manager job openings:
Innovation Program Manager jobs near you
Principal Program Manager, Enterprise Innovation

Principal Program Manager, Enterprise Innovation

VF Corporation

Denver, CO • On-site

$125K - $156K/yr

Full-time

Medical

Posted 28 days ago

VF Corporation rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 49 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 102 rated fashion retailers

Job description

At VF, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness, and authenticity. So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us - our values and our culture - visit VF Careers or www.vfc.com.
What will you do?
The Principal, Enterprise Innovation Program Manager (Special Projects) leads high impact, cross functional initiatives that accelerate VF Corp's next wave of growth. Reporting to the VP, Enterprise Innovation, this role drives end-to-end delivery across complex, ambiguous workstreams that may include product special projects (footwear, apparel, and equipment), new product platforms, AI-enabled business solutions, digital capabilities, and emerging innovation bets.
This role partners closely with leaders across Brand, Product, Digital, Technology, Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, and regional teams to move concepts from validation to scaling and commercialization. The Principal shapes decisions through clear recommendations, investment inputs, and tradeoff framing, and ensures teams have the plans, governance, and operating cadence required to deliver results.
Let's break down that day-in-the-life a bit more.
  • Lead a set of enterprise innovation special projects, setting priorities, sequencing work, and ensuring measurable outcomes
  • Establish program-level governance (cadence, forums, decision rights, escalation paths) and ensure alignment to strategy and business priorities
  • Translate ambiguity into delivery plans with clear objectives, milestones, dependencies, and success metrics
  • Drive cross-functional alignment across brands, regions, and functions; influence without authority to drive decisions and accountability
  • Partner with Finance and functional teams to develop business case inputs, define success measures, and support funding/resource planning
  • Drive execution across initiatives spanning product special projects (footwear, apparel, and equipment), new product development, AI-enabled tools/services, and new business models, ensuring readiness to scale
  • Manage risks, issues, and interdependencies; lead mitigation strategies and scenario planning
  • Create and deliver leadership-ready updates, recommendations, and decision materials for program stakeholders and governance forums
  • Manage external partners (vendors, startups, agencies, consultants) to accelerate discovery and delivery as needed
  • Contribute to innovation best practices by creating playbooks, templates, and lessons learned; mentor project/program leads and peers

What do you need to succeed?
We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you'll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 8-12+ years of experience leading complex, cross-functional programs and/or initiatives within large, matrixed organizations.
The foundation skills you will need in this position are:
  • Demonstrated success driving strategic initiatives from concept through launch and scale enablement
  • Proven ability to influence and align Sr. Manager/VP-level stakeholders, including facilitating trade-offs and decision-making in ambiguous environments
  • Experience developing business case inputs, defining value creation, and managing delivery against outcomes
  • Familiarity with innovation and commercialization across new product development, digital platforms, and emerging technology initiatives (including AI/data-enabled solutions)
  • Track record of establishing strong delivery practices (plans, operating rhythms, reporting) across multi-workstream efforts
  • Strong communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complexity into clear narratives and recommendations
  • Experience leading teams directly and/or through influence; ability to coach and develop talent on project teams
  • Experience working with global teams across multiple time zones and cultures
  • Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred
  • PMP, Agile, Lean, or equivalent certifications a plus

What Success Looks Like
  • Special projects deliver against defined objectives with clear governance, milestones, and stakeholder alignment
  • Leaders have consistent visibility into progress, dependencies, risks, and decisions-enabling timely course correction
  • Programs progress beyond pilots and proofs of concept, with clear scale requirements and operational handoffs defined
  • Business case inputs and success measures are well-defined, and initiatives track measurable value (growth, margin, productivity, customer experience)
  • Teams adopt repeatable practices (playbooks, templates, lessons learned) that increase speed and consistency across innovation delivery

Now WE have a question for YOU.
Are you in?
Hiring Range:
$125,280.00 USD - $156,600.00 USD annually
Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.
Benefits at VF Corporation: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.
Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.
At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual's race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at peopleservices@vfc.com. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law.
Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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