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Innovation Program Manager Jobs in Madison, AL (NOW HIRING)

UAS Deputy Program Manager

Madison, AL · On-site

$104K/yr

... and Innovation - and emulates these values in all actions * Must excel in fast-pace, deadline ... Demonstrated expertise in program management with experience preferred in government hardware ...

Join a dynamic team at the forefront of aerospace and defense innovation. We're looking for a ... You'll manage integrated master schedules, monitor progress, and help leadership make confident ...

Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical, engineering, or management discipline. * Minimum of 10 ... innovation, and community. Thompson Gray is an Equal Opportunity Employer and VEVRAA Federal ...

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Innovation Program Manager information

See Madison, AL salary details

$34.5K

$96.3K

$140.7K

How much do innovation program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for innovation program manager in Madison, AL is $96,282.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,200.00 and $118,700.00 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 Madison, AL look for? The top searched job categories for Innovation Program Manager jobs in Madison, AL are:
UAS Deputy Program Manager

UAS Deputy Program Manager

Griffon Aerospace

Madison, AL • On-site

$104K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description


Griffon Aerospace, a leader in the design, manufacturing, and operations of Unmanned Aerial Systems, is seeking a motivated and skilled UAS Deputy Program Manager. This position will be responsible for managing mid-level programs or serving as a deputy PM on complex programs for DoD UAS customers. The candidate will be responsible for program execution in terms of cost, schedule, and performance for enduring and emerging Griffon UAS platforms. Griffon is acutely focused on developing and manufacturing next-generation unmanned aircraft that enable transformational leaps in capabilities. This position will support high-profile DoD programs with extensive requirements and fast-paced deadlines. This position is ideal for an early career candidate eager to have high impact in the UAS industry, gain valuable experience working with executive-level management, and operate in small-agile organizations. This is a limited travel position located in Madison, AL. The successful candidate will be a highly organized self-starter who has direct, hands-on experience working in the UAS industry and with DoD contracts.
Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with technical staff to establish low-level task-based schedules
  • Track program execution spending and milestone completion against baseline spending and milestone plans
  • Identification of programmatic risks via collaboration with technical staff, supply chain, manufacturing, and contracts staff
  • Manage risk mitigation strategies across the program
  • Work closely with customer staff to ensure schedules are maintained to meet program objectives and milestones (Statement of Work compliance and execution)
  • Report on health and status of programs during internal reviews
  • Support UAS demonstrations and program reviews with customers
  • Define objectives for integrated program teams and facilitate meetings
  • Active Secret Security Clearance or ability to obtain

Required Qualifications
  • Committed to Griffon's values - Integrity, Excellence, Customer Satisfaction, Quality, and Innovation - and emulates these values in all actions
  • Must excel in fast-pace, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
  • Bachelor's degree and 2-5+ years of experience in project/program management of UAS and DoD contracts
  • Demonstrated expertise in program management with experience preferred in government hardware related programs to include managing hardware development, fabrication, and testing activities
  • Demonstrated experience in vendor or subcontractor management
  • Must be highly proficient in all Microsoft Office products. Must have skilled ability to create PowerPoint briefings, Excel spreadsheets, Word documents, and schedules using Project
  • Proven background of demonstrating initiative and ability to drive issues/actions to closure
  • Self-motivated individual comfortable assuming a leadership role and significant customer interaction
  • Strong interpersonal skills with teamwork and transparency as a priority
  • PMP Certification preferred
  • Experience with systems engineering best practices and MBSE preferred
  • Experience in UAS production and manufacturing operations preferred

JOB LOCATION
  • Madison, Alabama, United States

POSITION TYPE
  • Full-Time/Regular/Salary

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS
  • Competitive Salary/Comprehensive Benefits Package

US CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED
  • Yes

ABILITY TO OBTAIN SECURITY CLEARANCE
  • Yes