Innovations Manager Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

At CourtAvenue, an Associate Director, Business Innovations acts as a key client partner, ensuring seamless execution of business strategies and optimizing internal team processes. This pivotal role is the bridge between executional management and strategic leadership, focusing on driving day-to-day business success while actively developing the skills needed to tackle complex, high-level business challenges. The AD, BI is an exceptional communicator, highly organized, and committed to building strong, constructive relationships across client and internal teams.

This role sits on a commerce-focused account, partnering closely with a Group Director, BI and a cross-functional team to deliver integrated programs across digital, ecommerce, retail, shopper, and in-store. The ideal candidate is a commerce expert at heart — someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, takes ownership instinctively, navigates ambiguity with confidence, and believes deeply in the power of being on-site with clients and teams.

We are focused on creating a best-in-class experience for our clients. The Associate Director, Business Innovations will be responsible for the following:

Client Partnership & Execution Focus:

• In this critical role, you are positioned as primary contact for some clients, leading both the strategic and executional part of the work (in partnership with client operations).

• For larger clients, you’ll support the Group Director in high-level strategic and financial conversations with senior-level clients (Sr. Brand Manager, VP/EVP) through co-led (2:1) interface.

• You will have the opportunity to work across a portfolio of commerce clients and will be able to champion client business needs and objectives within CourtAvenue, ensuring all team outputs align with agreed-upon execution goals.

• You’ll have the opportunity to proactively identify growth opportunities for clients and will be counted on to build meaningful relationships with them while ensuring that our team successfully delivers.

• Show up in person — walking the halls of the client’s office, building relationships across the client organization, and being a visible, trusted presence on the ground.

Strategic Development & Financial Acumen (Growth Focus):

• Strategy Support: This role is pivotal in building and honing business leadership skills. With the guidance of an account leader, you’ll actively develop the ability to operate independently on future strategic clients.

• Commerce Expertise: Bring a working knowledge of commerce program development — including website UX/UI design, content management, and shopper marketing — and translate that fluency into stronger client conversations and sharper team direction.

• Financial Learning: Support the Group Director in tracking project financials and business performance, focusing on learning the principles of holistic account financial management and profitability insights.

• New Business Support: Provide research and organizational support for new business proposals and pitches, without being responsible for owning or running the presentations.

Internal Process & Team Organization:

• Process Activation & Organization: Act as a key participant in internal workflow — you’ll partner closely with Client Operations to support the team in delivering world-class work efficiently and smoothly. Strong collaboration with ops partners is essential to success in this role.

• Facilitate and organize cross-functional communication and documentation across Strategy, Creative, Media, and Data teams to maintain project alignment.

• You’ll operate as a catalyst for good among the team, bringing detail orientation, enthusiasm and great ideas to the clients and team so we can create our best work together.

• 8+ years of progressive professional experience in digital, creative, media, or business consulting environments.

• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-faceted projects requiring alignment across numerous internal and external stakeholders.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex concepts clearly and persuasively.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field preferred.

• Self-starter with a solutions-oriented mindset and the ability to navigate challenges and negotiations with professionalism.

• Comfortable owning your work end-to-end, moving at a fast pace, and operating effectively in ambiguity.

• A natural relationship builder who values in-person connection with clients, partners, and teams.

• Proven experience managing commerce programs, ideally including website UX/UI design, content management, and shopper marketing projects.

• Someone who is passionate about business, marketing and helping clients achieve their goals.

• Self-starter with a positive attitude and the ability to think on your feet.

• Ability to negotiate in a way that delivers mutually-beneficial results.

• Ability to navigate conflict and difficult situations with grace that also focuses on a positive outcome.

CourtAvenue, INC. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CourtAvenue recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or genetic information.