Director of Product Innovation - Detroit, MI (Detroit)

Director of Product Innovation - Detroit, MI (BH-20223-2)

Location: Detroit, United States
Sector: IT
Salary: 190,000.00 US to 225,000.00 US per annum

Director of Product Innovation

This role is onsite 4 days per week just north of downtown Detroit, MI.

A rapidly growing, data-driven technology company is seeking a strategic, creative, and highly analytical Director of Product Innovation to lead the discovery, development, and commercialization of new products, capabilities, and growth opportunities.

This role is ideal for a product leader who thrives in fast-moving environments, is passionate about emerging technologies, and enjoys turning innovative ideas into scalable business solutions. The Director of Product Innovation will work at the intersection of Product, Engineering, Data, and Business Strategy to identify market opportunities, evaluate new technologies, and bring differentiated products to market.

The Opportunity

This leader will play a critical role in shaping the company’s future growth by driving innovation initiatives, evaluating emerging technologies, and identifying opportunities to create new value for customers and the business. The company operates in a highly competitive, data-rich environment where speed, experimentation, and continuous learning are essential to maintaining market leadership.

The Director of Product Innovation will partner closely with executive leadership, Product, Engineering, and Data teams to develop and validate new concepts, build business cases, and accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions, including AI-driven capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Innovation Strategy & Product Discovery

• Identify emerging market trends, customer needs, and technology opportunities that can drive future growth.
• Develop and maintain an innovation roadmap aligned with company objectives and long-term strategic priorities.
• Lead product discovery efforts, customer research, and market analysis to identify new product opportunities.
• Evaluate competitive landscapes and emerging technologies to uncover areas of differentiation.
• Partner with executive leadership to prioritize innovation initiatives and strategic investments.

New Product Development

• Drive the development of new products, features, and business models from concept through validation and launch.
• Facilitate ideation sessions, innovation workshops, and cross-functional brainstorming initiatives.
• Build and test prototypes, proof-of-concepts, and pilot programs to validate market demand and business value.
• Define success metrics and frameworks for evaluating innovation investments.
• Champion a culture of experimentation, rapid learning, and continuous improvement.

AI & Emerging Technology Leadership

• Evaluate and implement opportunities to leverage AI, machine learning, automation, and advanced analytics.
• Partner with Engineering and Data teams to translate emerging technologies into customer-facing solutions.
• Stay current on technology trends and identify applications that can create competitive advantage.
• Develop business cases for innovative technologies and support adoption strategies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a bridge between Product, Engineering, Data, Marketing, and Business teams.
• Influence stakeholders and build alignment around innovation priorities and investments.
• Ensure innovation initiatives are grounded in customer needs, technical feasibility, and business impact.
• Promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing across teams.

Measurement & Business Impact

• Establish KPIs and success metrics for innovation initiatives.
• Use data and customer insights to validate opportunities and inform investment decisions.
• Monitor performance of new products and innovation programs to drive measurable business outcomes.
• Continuously refine innovation processes to improve speed-to-market and effectiveness.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Product Management, Product Strategy, Innovation, or related leadership roles.
• 5+ years of experience leading and developing high-performing product teams.
• Proven track record of developing and launching new products, features, or business initiatives.
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to identify emerging market opportunities.
• Experience partnering closely with Engineering and Data teams in technology-driven environments.
• Strong analytical mindset with a data-driven approach to evaluating opportunities and outcomes.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous environments and lead initiatives from concept to execution.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and influence skills.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with AI, machine learning, automation, or advanced analytics solutions.
• Background in high-growth technology companies, marketplaces, marketing technology, lead generation, or digital platforms.
• Experience leading innovation programs, incubation efforts, or new product initiatives.
• Familiarity with design thinking, Lean Startup methodologies, and product experimentation frameworks.
• Experience operating in growth-stage or rapidly evolving organizations.

What Success Looks Like

• A robust pipeline of validated product and business innovation opportunities.
• Successful launch of new products, capabilities, or revenue-generating initiatives.
• Effective adoption of AI and emerging technologies that create measurable competitive advantage.
• Increased speed from concept to market validation.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and alignment around innovation priorities.
• Data-driven decisions that result in meaningful business growth and customer value.

Additional Information

• Competitive compensation package, including base salary and performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive benefits offering.
• Opportunity to shape the future direction of a high-growth, technology-driven business.
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial, and innovation-focused culture.
• High visibility with executive leadership and significant impact on company growth strategy.