Operations Innovation Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,300 professionals are at work worldwide in over 30 offices. Together we are on a mission to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice unstoppable.

We are a global community that cares for one another. We believe that the way we work is as important as the results we achieve. We provide professional excellence with joy and celebration to all those we serve.

For over 25 years, IJM has pioneered the work to protect vulnerable people from violence. 9 out of 9 times in the last decade, IJM's Justice System Strengthening Projects have reduced slavery and violence between 50 and 85% for very large populations of people in poverty. As we grow to expand our impact to protect 500 million people from violence, we are seeking a Program Innovation Manager supports solving complex challenges at the intersection of human-centered design, technology, and social impact. This role identifies emerging opportunities, develops and tests new concepts, builds prototypes, leverages technology to accelerate impact, and helps scale proven solutions across programs. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable facilitating design workshops, creating mock-ups in Figma, evaluating emerging technologies, conducting rapid experimentation, and guiding adoption of successful innovations.

This position is hybrid (onsite Tuesdays & Thursdays) and located in the Washington, DC area. It reports to Director, Program Innovation and is only available for candidates with the right to work in the US.

• Support the creationand executionof IJM'sprograminnovation strategy, integrating emerging technologies and innovation methodologies to future-proof programming and expand and advance the Program Roadmap.

• Partner with program teams, survivors, governments, and external technology innovators to identify opportunities where emerging technologies can improve prevention, reporting, investigations, prosecutions, survivor services, and broader justice system outcomes.

• Forge strategic partnerships with tech innovators, research institutions, and program offices to co-develop and validate technology-enabled solutions that accelerate justice system transformation.

• Develop and institutionalize ethical and operational guidelines for technology-driven programming, interventions, ensuring compliance with safeguarding, data privacy, and global standards.

• Translate complex technology and insights into clear, actionable briefs and presentations for senior leadership and field teams to inform decision-making and scaling strategies.

• Design and deliver advanced training programs on innovation tools and technology applications, equipping IJM teams to prototype and scale tech-enabled interventions effectively.

• Lead rapid research and pilot management for technology-driven solutions, synthesizing evidence and monitoring outcomes to inform scale-up decisions and global guidance.

• Lead major prototyping efforts for UX/UI elements in IJM's program data management systems.

• Lead discovery, rapid experimentation, and prototype development efforts to investigate program challenges and test potential solutions. Design and run innovation pilots, synthesize evidence, and refine concepts for scale.

• Develop low-fidelity and functional prototypes using tools such as Figma, AI-assisted development platforms, workflow automation tools, and no-code technologies to rapidly validate concepts before larger investment decisions.

• Maintain a centralized knowledge hub for incubation efforts, including prototypes, technology assessments, and learning reports, to enable organizational learning and replication.

• Coordinate and lead cross-functional meetings with global and regional stakeholders to align incubation priorities, track progress, and ensure timely execution of technology initiatives.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required in international development, public policy, design, or a related field. Master's or PhD preferred.

• Ability to translate complex technology and insights into clear, actionable briefs and presentations for senior leadership and field teams to inform decision-making and scaling strategies.

• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams through ambiguous problems and align diverse stakeholders around emerging solutions without direct line authority.

• Demonstrated ability to operate across multiple disciplines including human-centered design, technology, research, strategy, product development, innovation, or systems change, with deep expertise in at least one area.

• 6-8 years' experience creating prototypes, product concepts, digital workflows, mock-ups, or technology solutions using modern design, low-code, AI, or product development tools.

• Proven track record in designing and scaling interventions across multiple geographies.

• Experience working in cross-cultural contexts and survivor-centered program development.

• Travel: 25%

• Expertise in, and enthusiasm for, design thinking, human-centered design, and prototyping methods.

• Strong understanding of technology applications for justice system strengthening (e.g., AI, digital platforms, OSEC detection tools).

• Advanced skills in program design, evaluation, and scaling strategies.

• Strong analytical skills for interpreting research and translating insights into strategic ways to expand.

• Strong workshop facilitation skills.

• Advanced MS Office Suite.

• Proficiency in Figma, FigJam or equivalent prototyping and whiteboarding software.

• Multilingual preferred.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to connect innovation efforts to organizational theory of change.

• Collaboration: Skilled at building trust and co-creating with diverse/cross-cultural stakeholders, including survivors of violence.

• Communication: Ability to translate complex insights into clear guidance for leadership and field teams.

• Adaptability: Comfortable navigating ambiguity and iterating solutions in dynamic environments quickly.

• Resilience & Resourcefulness: Demonstrates persistence and adaptability in the face of challenges; proactively seeks solutions and leverages available resources to overcome obstacles. Maintains a "find a way" mindset to deliver results under pressure.

• Eager commitment to IJM's Core Values: Christian, Professional and Bridge-Building;

• Self-starter with strong initiative;

• Disciplined with priorities;

• Strong interpersonal skills and self-awareness;

• Exceptional verbal and written communication;

• Flexible, collaborative and eager to support others;

• Effective team player who fosters collaborative environment; and

• Adept at creative problem solving.

Upload Resume, Cover Letter & Statement of Faith* in one PDF document.

*What is a statement of faith?
A statement of faith should describe your Christian faith and how you see it as relevant to your involvement with IJM. The statement can either be incorporated into the cover letter or submitted as a separate document and should include, at a minimum, a description of your spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, etc.) and your current fellowship or place of worship.

• Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision benefits

• Monthly commuter and parking benefits in the DC metro area

• Retirement benefit options

• Paid leave starting at 23 days

• 12 holidays (plus early release the day prior)

• Daily, quarterly, and annual community spiritual formation

• Robust staff care resources

IJM holds strict safeguarding principles and a zero tolerance to violations of the Safeguarding Policy, Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy, and Code of Ethics. Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring criteria subject to assessing the candidates value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.

At IJM, we're committed to building a diverse workforce through fair and equitable employment practices. IJM encourages people of any race, color, age, sex, marital status or political ideology to apply for employment. While we welcome everyone into this work, we truly believe that the work we are doing is God's work, not our own, and practice spiritual disciplines together daily. That's why we legally require under SEC. 2000e-1 [Section702] of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that all employees practice a mature orthodox Christian faith, as defined by the Apostles' Creed.

IJM requires a background check, police clearance and thorough review of references with an employment offer and/or employment contract.