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Innovation Program Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Aureon

Program Manager

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

Foster a culture of continuous improvement, efficiency, and innovation * Portfolio administration ... PfMP (Portfolio Management Professional), PgMP (Program Management Professional) or OPM3 ...

Caeus

HEAT3 Program Manager

Peterson, IA · On-site

Empowerment, Innovation, Excellence, Integrity and OneCAE make us who we are and we strive to make ... The Program Manager will lead the High-End Advanced Training, Tactics, and Testing (HEAT3 ...

Hyve Solutions

Senior Program Manager

Nevada, IA

$109K - $109K/yr

We pride ourselves on collaboration, innovation and thought leadership. Our team consists of ... Proven experience as a Program or Project Manager in Operations or manufacturing sector.

Danaher

Health & Safety Program Manager

Coralville, IA · On-site

$91K - $100K/yr

... strong foundation of innovation, expertise, and reliability. Guided by our vision to help ... The Health & Safety Program Manager is responsible for managing system safety programs and chemical ...

Danaher

Health & Safety Program Manager

Coralville, IA · On-site

$91K - $100K/yr

... strong foundation of innovation, expertise, and reliability. Guided by our vision to help ... The Health & Safety Program Manager is responsible for managing system safety programs and chemical ...

Pwc

RFM AI Governance Manager

Des Moines, IA

$73K - $244K/yr

You embrace technology and innovation to enhance your delivery and encourage others to do the same ... program, prioritizing alignment with our firm's policies and procedures. As a Manager, you will ...

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All JobsInnovation Program JobsInnovation Program Manager JobsInnovation Program Manager Jobs in Iowa

Innovation Program Manager information

See Iowa salary details

$36.2K

$100.9K

$147.5K

How much do innovation program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for innovation program manager in Iowa is $100,934.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,700.00 and $124,500.00 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 Iowa? For Innovation Program Manager jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Innovation Program Manager jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Innovation Program Manager jobs in Iowa are:
Innovation Program Manager jobs near you
Program Manager

Program Manager

Aureon

West Des Moines, IA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Aureon rating

4.5

Company rating: 4.5 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

200th of 204 rated it services

Job description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Lead multiple interdependent projects, coordinating cross-functional teams across business and IT.
  • Build strong collaborative relationships across IT and Operations, influencing without direct authority.
  • Plan, maintain, and evolve program roadmaps, milestones, dependencies, scope, and budgets as priorities change
  • Monitor progress, risks, issues, staffing needs, schedules, and costs; implement mitigation strategies and corrective actions as needed
  • Ensure programs meet expectations for architecture alignment, functionality, quality, timeline, and budget
  • Drive change management, operational readiness, and stakeholder adoption
  • Define success metrics, KPIs, and performance evaluation frameworks; deliver transparent, data-driven reporting through dashboards and executive communications
  • Reinforce PMO, Agile, and intake best practices; ensure requirements readiness and clarity
  • Lead workflow transformation initiatives and system implementation programs through successful completion
  • Partner with technical product managers to prioritize features and manage scope to meet delivery objectives
  • Forecast resource needs, manage vendors and SOWs, create projects and work items, and assign resources accordingly
  • Maintain clear, accessible documentation including project plans, scope, risks, assumptions, and dependencies
  • Ensure acceptance, ownership, and measurable business outcomes
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement, efficiency, and innovation
  • Portfolio administration activities such as project intake proposals, portfolio dashboards, and updating governance artifacts.
  • Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:
Required
  • Bachelor's degree in business or other related field or equivalent professional experience
  • Minimum Five years of experience managing complex programs or medium to large cross-functional initiatives in IT or telecommunications.

Preferred
  • PMP Certification plus one of the following additional certifications: PfMP (Portfolio Management Professional), PgMP (Program Management Professional) or OPM3 (Organization Project Management Maturity Model) SAFe, Scrum Master, Certified Agile Coach (CTC, CEC, PMI-ACP)

REQUIRED SKILLS:
  • Demonstrates strong teamwork, interpersonal and collaborative skills.
  • Strong technical background with deep understanding of software development and Agile methodologies
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and work independently or collaboratively
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level communication
  • Demonstrated leadership, time management, facilitation, and organizational skills
  • Experience managing projects and programs across the full lifecycle using multiple methodologies
  • Expertise in risk assessment, trade-off analysis, mitigation strategies, and issue resolution
  • Proven ability to deliver projects within defined scope, timeline, budget, and quality requirements
  • Proficiency with enterprise project management tools and best practices (e.g., MS Project, Project Online)
  • Expertise in project governance and documentation (charters, plans, schedules, budgets, reports, KPIs)
  • Ability to define KPIs, build metrics frameworks, and apply Agile metrics (velocity, burndown/burnup) effectively
  • Proven experience in workflow transformation and technology/system integration
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and prioritization skills; able to manage multiple initiatives in dynamic environments
  • Strong familiarity with and experience using project management software such as MS Project.
  • General knowledge of process improvement via Six Sigma/Lean concepts desired but not required.

TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND SOFTWARE:
  • Demonstrated knowledge of personal computer applications Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Outlook
  • Experience with different PM Software tools used to manage individual projects and roll up programs for reporting and financials

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Primarily indoor work in an office environment, hybrid remote option available.
  • Frequent utilization of manual dexterity and visualizing of a computer screen

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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