Innovation Lab Manager

The Innovation Lab Manager is responsible for enabling experimentation across the organization by managing and optimizing the sandbox environments that support innovation initiatives. This role serves as a bridge between the Innovation Office, IT teams, and proof-of-concept project owners to ensure secure, efficient, and compliant access to test environments. The Innovation Lab Manager ensures that users have the technical resources they need to explore new ideas while adhering to governance standards and maintaining the integrity of systems.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Environment Management: Define, configure, and manage sandbox/test environments to support experimentation and proof-of-concept activities.
• Access Control: Collaborate with IT to create, maintain, and deactivate user accounts; oversee requests for entering and exiting the test environment.
• Governance & Compliance: Ensure alignment with innovation governance policies and maintain adherence to data security, compliance, and ethical standards.
• Oversee information exchange with external collaborators (e.g., partners, vendors, research institutions) to ensure data is shared appropriately and securely.
• Collaboration & Support: Partner with proof-of-concept users and project teams to understand their needs, access requirements, and technical dependencies.
• Monitoring & Reporting: Track and provide regular updates on environment utilization, performance, and capacity.
• Issue Escalation: Identify, document, and escalate issues or new environment requirements to appropriate stakeholders.
• Continuous Improvement: Recommend enhancements to the lab infrastructure, integrations, and processes to optimize innovation experimentation.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 2- 3 years of experience in IT systems management, innovation enablement, or lab/test environment administration.
• Prior experience working with innovation labs, proof-of-concept projects, or experimental environments is a plus.
• Understanding of sandbox/test environments, system integrations, and technical experimentation platforms.
• Strong understanding of identity and access management (IAM) and user provisioning processes.
• Familiarity with SaaS applications (e.g. OCS, Salesforce) and enterprise IT environments.
• Knowledge of system security, compliance, and governance frameworks.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical issues and coordinate with IT for resolution.
• Familiarity with AI technologies (e.g., generative AI, machine learning frameworks, or AI-driven platforms) and their requirements in test environments.

Skills:

• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work across IT, innovation, and business teams.
• Detail-oriented and organized, with effective project management abilities.
• Capable of translating technical needs into practical processes and solutions.
• Strong problem-solving skills, especially in dynamic, experimental environments.
• Comfort with remote work and virtual collaboration tools.

Physical Demands/Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those requirements employees must meet to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations. While performing job functions the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, write, review and type reports, compile data, operate a pc, communicate, listen, and assess information. The employee may move about the office complex, may travel to other office locations and may lift, push, pull or move 10 - 15 pounds. Visual requirements include distant, close and color vision, and ability to adjust focus

Work Environment: 

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers, photocopiers and smartphones. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Our compensation reflects the cost of talent across multiple US geographic markets. The base pay for this position across all US geographic markets ranges from $85,000.00/year to $115,000.00/year. Pay is based on a number of factors including geographic location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Eligibility to participate in an incentive program is subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance. Roles may also be eligible for additional compensation and/or benefits.

EOE M/F/D/V

#LI-JS1