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Innovation Program Manager Jobs in Champaign, IL

Steak 'n Shake

Restaurant Manager

Urbana, IL

$21.25/hr

Join the leadership team at a Restaurant at the Forefrontof QSR Innovation Paying up to $21.25/hr ... Employee Assistance Program * Paid Training * Discount Program * Associate Emergency Foundation

Steak 'n Shake Urbana

Restaurant Manager

Urbana, IL

$17.25 - $21.25/hr

Join the leadership team at a Restaurant at the Forefront of QSR Innovation Paying up to $21.25/hr ... Employee Assistance Program * Paid Training * Discount Program * Associate Emergency Foundation

Applebee's Grill & Bar

Manager

Savoy, IL · On-site

... innovation, and being guest driven. * Ensures the immediate response and correction of all verbal ... Maintains effective safety and security programs according to company policy and government ...

H. T. PROF Group

Software Engineering Manager

Champaign, IL · On-site

$130 - $160/hr

... innovation and business success. We're looking for a hands‑on Software Engineering Manager to ... Working with proprietary software, full life‑cycle software development for programs that are ...

TrueBlue

Account Manager

Urbana, IL · On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

Develop and implement a safety program * Audit and regularly report on KPIs to ensure all policies ... innovation to meet evolving workforce needs.

RenewableWorks

Account Manager

Urbana, IL · On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

Develop and implement a safety program * Audit and regularly report on KPIs to ensure all policies ... innovation to meet evolving workforce needs.

TrueBlue

Account Manager

Urbana, IL

$60K - $75K/yr

Develop and implement a safety program * Audit and regularly report on KPIs to ensure all policies ... innovation to meet evolving workforce needs.

Applebee's

Manager

Savoy, IL · On-site

... innovation, and being guest driven. * Ensures the immediate response and correction of all verbal ... Maintains effective safety and security programs according to company policy and government ...

Applebee's Grill & Bar

Manager

Savoy, IL · On-site

... innovation, and being guest driven. * Ensures the immediate response and correction of all verbal ... Maintains effective safety and security programs according to company policy and government ...

Applebee's Grill & Bar

Kitchen Manager

Savoy, IL

... innovation, and being guest driven. * Ensures the immediate response and correction of all verbal ... Maintains effective safety and security programs according to company policy and government ...

Applebee's

Kitchen Manager

Savoy, IL · On-site

... innovation, and being guest driven. * Ensures the immediate response and correction of all verbal ... Maintains effective safety and security programs according to company policy and government ...

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Innovation Program Manager information

See Champaign, IL salary details

$38.6K

$107.6K

$157.2K

How much do innovation program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for innovation program manager in Champaign, IL is $107,618.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,600.00 and $132,700.00 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 job categories do people searching Innovation Program Manager jobs in Champaign, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Innovation Program Manager jobs in Champaign, IL are:

What cities near Champaign, IL are hiring for Innovation Program Manager jobs?

Cities near Champaign, IL with the most Innovation Program Manager job openings:

Innovation Program Manager jobs near you

SEO and Digital Marketing Specialist

University of Illinois

Urbana, IL • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Duties & Responsibilities

SEO and Web Performance 
Develop and implement a modern search optimization strategy to improve visibility and rankings for online programs across search engines. 
Support efforts to standardize digital performance reporting across colleges while streamlining operations by reducing duplicative SEO contracts campus-wide.
Optimize site structure, metadata, and content for usability, accessibility, and SEO performance for Illinois Online website. 
Collaborate with campus web support and IT partners to ensure proper implementation of SEO best practices. 
Monitor search performance trends and recommend content and structural improvements based on analytics. 
Provide SEO consultations for designated departments or programs as directed by the Office of the Provost.

Digital Marketing and Content Strategy
  Coordinate with other StratCom colleagues on Illinois Online content creation and optimization across web and social media channels.
Collaborate with StratCom team members and colleges to develop targeted digital marketing campaigns that drive awareness and conversions for online offerings.
Cultivate content-led SEO by identifying gaps in the prospective student journey (e.g., tuition info, career outcomes). 
Support storytelling efforts by showcasing faculty innovation, student success, and program impact through optimized content. 
Ensure all content adheres to Illinois branding, voice, and accessibility best practices

Analytics and Reporting
Track website traffic, search performance, and conversion metrics using Google Analytics, Tag Manager, Search Console, and related tools.
Develop and maintain dashboards that inform data-driven decisions about online program marketing priorities and site enhancements.
Report regularly on ROI and provide actionable recommendations to improve engagement and lead generation to OOL, campus partners and leadership.
Stay informed of digital marketing trends, higher education SEO strategies, and evolving search behaviors in online education.
Conduct keyword research and trend analysis to inform content strategy, landing page development, and program promotion.

Collaboration and Institutional Alignment
Work collaboratively with StratCom, OOL, academic units, and Illinois Online leadership to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with enrollment goals.
Attend weekly OOL team meetings and meet with the OOL Program Manager as needed to consult on campus SEO service model.
Provide guidance on digital content best practices during website updates and content management processes.
Contribute to shared marketing initiatives and support cross-functional campaign execution as needed.
Partner with the Analytics & Alignment team within StratCom on SEO best practices and contribute to training or documentation as needed.
Assist with other StratCom marketing projects as capacity allows.

University of Illinois logo

About University of Illinois

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Illinois, located in Urbana, Illinois, US, is a prominent entity in the higher education sector. Operating its official functions through its website uillinois.edu, the institution provides a range of educational programs and services. The University was founded in 1867 and has since grown dramatically both in size and reputation. Its core values are embodied in its mission to enhance the lives of its students and citizens in the state, nation, and world through leadership in learning, discovery, engagement, and economic development. The university boasts several notable achievements including producing Nobel laureates and Pulitzer prize winners. It is renowned for its research programs and is known for significant advancements across various fields including engineering, science, and humanities.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Urbana, IL, US

Year founded

1974

Social media

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