Brooks Running

Senior Manager, Explore - Innovation

US, Washington, Seattle · Senior

Sponsorship not specified$145k-$232kDetected 100 days ago

ResearchLeadershipCommunicationCollaborationProblem SolvingMentoring

About the role

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.
We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we're all moving towards something.
You will work upstream of the footwear and apparel teams, handing over promising and evidence-backed concepts for product development, integration and launch.

Responsibilities

Lead an autonomous and cross-functional innovation team and a portfolio of innovation projects.
Work alongside the team's functional line managers to support the development of each team member with opportunities relevant to the individual and business.
Act as a visible champion for long-term innovation at Brooks, building understanding of Horizon 3 and its different success metrics.
Lead the Explore team to proactively identify and explore new opportunities and define potential Explore projects for review with the Steering Group.
Design exploration paths for Explore projects depending on the project uncertainties and allocate work to team members to deliver upon the decided approach.
Design and run real-world experiments and pilots with athletes, communities and partners to validate performance and feasibility.
As a key member of the Horizon 3 (5+ years) Innovation Steering Group, you will lead the exploration, definition and development of novel concepts with the potential to
You will lead projects to holistically explore and understand all aspects of future running performance; and to imagine, define, investigate and develop new concepts for game-changing products.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in design, engineering, marketing or a related field.
5+ years of experience in directing, managing and developing high performance teams.
Proven track record leading breakthrough or advanced concepts from fuzzy front-end through to commercial pilots or scaled launches.
Experience operating in or with a separate innovation unit, advanced concepts lab, or corporate venture/incubator environment.
Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to influence and persuade stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
Strong independent and analytical mindset with the ability to challenge established assumptions and untangle complex problems.
Minimum of 10 years' experience in innovation, product creation or venture building in performance footwear, sports equipment, wearable tech or adjacent high-performance categories.
Experience leading and developing high-performance teams, with proven ability to lead functions not in your direct area of expertise.
Deep understanding of consumer behavior, emerging technologies and disruptive approaches to innovation and product development.
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with senior leadership and cross-functional teams, building strong relationships.
Demonstrated innovation and initiative. Consistently seeking to step-change innovations /deliver category-defining concepts by exploring critical uncertainties, building prototypes and experiments and validating new platforms/capabilities.
Ability to anticipate how decisions affect customers, partners, products, or other departments' operations and morale (connecting the dots').
A passion for Brooks' vision, the running enthusiast and active lifestyle, with an ability to empathize with the runner.

Compensation

The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $145,098 - $232,157 per year. Base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Bonus - In addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance.
Location - You will spend 4 days per week in our Seattle offices, as we believe our organization flourishes when connections, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and celebrations happen in person.
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply.
Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer.

Benefits

You will lead a cross-functional team by inspiring and guiding them to embrace bold, consumer-driven innovation by fostering a culture of curiosity, creativity, and continuous learning.
You will empower your team in the exploration of future runner needs to elevate our current vision and investigate innovative and improved approaches to deliver on those needs.
Brooks is proud to offer a robust benefits package to our employees and their families!
Paid Time Off - Brooks offers generous time off, including three to five weeks of paid time off, eleven paid holidays, and paid sick and parental leave.
Bonus - In addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance.
Perks - Including product discounts, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits.

Company info

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That's why we're driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive - whether it's a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.
Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:
Runner First
At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive.
That's why we're driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive - whether it's a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.
We act in the best interest of the runner
Word is Bond
We do what we say we'll do
Champion Heart
We give our all in everything we do
There is no "I" in Run
We stay generous with our humanity
Keep Moving

Visa & Work Authorization

hysical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or percei

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This listing is sourced directly from Brooks Running's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.