Vice President, Innovation

The Marmon Group LLCAs a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway—you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best.Reporting to Marmon’s Chief Innovation Officer, the Vice President of Innovation supports innovation efforts across Marmon’s diversified industrial portfolio of approximately 150 operating companies spanning 12 industrial groups. Reporting to the Chief Innovation Officer, this executive will help drive sustainable growth through new product development, technology adoption, business model innovation, strategic partnerships, and enterprise-wide innovation capabilities.The Vice President of Innovation serves as both a strategist and catalyst, helping portfolio companies identify, prioritize, and execute innovation initiatives that accelerate revenue growth, improve competitiveness, increase operational effectiveness, and create long-term shareholder value. Success in this role requires influencing leaders across a decentralized organization, fostering a culture of innovation across diverse markets and industries, as well as maintaining a portfolio of resources that support innovation efforts at Marmon’s operating companies. Up to 50% travel is required.Ideal Candidate ProfileThe ideal candidate is a highly respected innovation leader who combines technical depth, strategic vision, and strong business acumen. With demonstrated success driving innovation in complex industrial environments, this leader understands how to create value across a diverse portfolio of companies and excels at influencing leaders without direct authority. This leader is also equally comfortable discussing advanced technologies with engineers, evaluating investment opportunities with finance leaders, and presenting enterprise innovation strategy to the executive leadership team and board of directors.Innovation Strategy & Portfolio ManagementIdentifies emerging technologies, market trends, customer needs, and industry disruptions that may impact portfolio companiesManages a portfolio of innovation resources for business units, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and spending prioritiesPartners with Groupand Platform leaders and operating company presidents to translate innovation opportunities into measurable business outcomesPartners with business leaders, engineering teams, and technology providers to pilot and deploy innovative solutionsGrowth & New Product DevelopmentEstablishes best practices for innovation processes, stage-gate development, commercialization, and portfolio managementMonitors and improves innovation performance metrics including:New product revenue and contribution marginVitality IndexR&D effectiveness / Innovation ROITime-to-marketProject success ratesFacilitates collaboration to leverage new technologies across Groups, Platforms, and individual operating companiesExternal Innovation & PartnershipsBuilds strategic relationships with universities, research institutions, and technology providersDevelops mechanisms to identify and evaluate external innovation opportunitiesLeads due diligence efforts related to technology acquisitions, partnerships, licensing, and strategic investmentsRepresents Marmon within industry, innovation, and technology forumsInnovation Culture & Capability DevelopmentFosters a culture that encourages experimentation, continuous improvement, and taking calculated risksCreates communities of practice and technical working groups across Marmon’s engineering and innovation disciplinesDevelops innovation training programs for leaders, engineers, and technical professionalsIdentifies and mentors high-potential innovation leaders throughout MarmonManages recognition programs that celebrate innovation achievements and value creationGovernance & Performance ManagementDevelops annual innovation scorecards and benchmarking processesTracks innovation investments and ensures accountability for resultsLeads enterprise-level innovation reviews and strategic planning sessions#LI-RemoteEducationBachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Technology, or a related technical discipline required; Master's or Doctoral degree preferredMBA or equivalent business education strongly desiredExperience15+ years of progressive leadership experience in innovation, engineering, product development, technology strategy, R&D, or related disciplinesDemonstrated success leading innovation initiatives across multiple business units, industries, and/or geographic regionsExperience in industrial manufacturing, engineered products, automation, transportation, building products, energy, distribution, or related sectorsExperience managing large, complex portfolios of innovation projects and investmentsDemonstrated success influencing senior executives and driving change within decentralized organizationsExperience evaluating emerging technologies and translating them into commercial valueP&L management experience is preferredRequired CompetenciesStrategic LeadershipEnterprise mindset with the ability to connect innovation initiatives to business strategyStrong systems thinking and portfolio management capabilitiesAbility to balance long-term innovation investments with near-term business resultsBusiness AcumenDeep understanding of industrial markets, manufacturing economics, and growth strategiesAbility to evaluate investment opportunities and business casesStrong financial and analytical capabilitiesTechnical LeadershipBroad understanding of engineering disciplines, product development, manufacturing processes, and emerging technologiesAbility to engage credibly with technical experts and executive leadership alikeCollaboration & InfluenceExceptional communication and relationship-building skillsAbility to lead through influence in a decentralized matrix organizationStrong executive presence and stakeholder management capabilitiesChange LeadershipProven ability to lead organizational transformation and build a culture of innovationComfortable operating in ambiguity and driving change across diverse organizationsPay Range:200,000.00 - 300,000.00We offer a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, vision, 401k matching, and more!Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to their membership in any protected class. If you require any reasonable accommodation to complete your application or any part of the recruiting process, please email your request to View email address on click.appcast.io, and please be sure to include the title and the location of the position for which you are applying.SummaryLocation: Chicago, ILType: Full time