Director, Innovation Management - Advanced Concepts

Canada·North VancouverFull-timeexecutive

OperationsManagement

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Overview

Department: Advanced Concepts Reports to: Vice President, Advanced Concepts Location: North Vancouver, BC Your opportunity at Arc’teryx: As a Director, Innovation Management - Advanced Concepts (AC),

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OperationsManagement

The Advanced Concepts team drives breakthrough innovation in snow, trail and climb for the mountain athlete everywhere. Fueled by curiosity, we take a holistic approach to identifying future needs and tangible solutions across advanced materials, products, technologies, and experiences. We are a team of builders, problem solvers and outdoor enthusiasts. Our in-house end-to-end capabilities in research, engineering, design, development, digital and validation allow us to innovate head-to-toe solutions that bring the coast mountain experience to the world. Our unique methodology, mindset of sustainability and fanatic passion for product are at the heart of what we do.

Driving and leading the Innovation Management function within the Advanced Concepts team to maintain a strong innovation pipeline
Driving and balancing a 3-, 5-, and 10-year innovation portfolio, ensuring the right mix of evolution, revolution, and breakthrough initiatives align to product strategy
Defining clear horizon-specific success metrics, risk tolerance, and investment strategies across near- and far-term innovation bets
Partnering with Design, Product, Merchandising, Supply Chain and Strategy leadership to translate long-range concepts into seasonal product strategies and drive end-to-end commercialization of innovation concepts, including business case validation, margin targets, and go-to-market alignment
Leading AC’s tech‑scouting and foresight programs to fuel far‑future pipeline insights and guide cross‑functional strategy
Establishing and managing processes and clear governance frameworks, including stage gates, criteria and investment prioritization models to ensure teams can execute effectively by clearly defining and aligning on the right scope, brief, budget and deliverables, while mobilizing the right team to achieve the required level of quality
Identifying and developing scalable innovation platforms (materials, technologies, systems) that unlock multiple product applications over time
Establishing and tracking innovation KPIs (e.g., adoption rate, revenue contribution, platform leverage, speed-to-market)
Building and curating a strategic ecosystem (startups, academia, suppliers, venture partners) to accelerate differentiated innovation pipelines
leading research, building insight, generating unique perspective, creating prototypes and performance validation approach across the innovation portfolio, while holding the highest standard for defining 'state of the art'
Embedding innovation pathways into inline product roadmaps, ensuring seamless transition from concept to commercialization
Creating and executing strategic and functional direction for internal engineering and design shop testing facilities, in partnership with the VP of Advanced Concepts
Mentoring your team; inspiring them to deliver advanced R&D solutions across all product areas
Creating and maintaining a robust IP portfolio, including identifying IP opportunities and liaising with legal from ideation to commercialization to ensure we are maintaining ownership of our proprietary ideas
Partnering with Innovation Operations on research- and engineering- specific resourcing opportunities including funding, academic and internship programs (SR&ED, IRAP, NRC, MITACS, and so forth)
Driving key initiatives to support the future of Arc’teryx with a focus on product circularity
Ensuring you and your team maintains current industry technology, product innovation, research literature and equipment knowledge through education and hands-on experience
Travelling quarterly as required

Leading and participating in strategic foresight work with internal and external stakeholders at key strategic milestones
Driving regional innovation strategies and acting as conduit
Supporting broader innovation portfolios across functions beyond Advanced Concepts
Leveraging digital tools, AI, and data-driven insights to accelerate concept development, testing, and portfolio decision-making

You have a degree in business strategy, engineering or the equivalent industry experience, with 10+ years of product innovation and concept delivery experience in outerwear, technical apparel, equipment, or advanced innovation and 7+ years of proven management experience leading a team
You have demonstrated success building and scaling multi-horizon innovation portfolios, delivering both near-term impact and long-term strategic advantage within the outdoor industry/innovation space
You have a deep understanding technical apparel and/or performance hardgoods design and/or production
You have experience identifying, creating and protecting a brand IP portfolio with internal and external legal teams
You have experience building robust business cases for innovation investments, including financial modeling, risk assessment, ROI tracking, technical delivery roadmap from opportunity to commercial launch
You have experience integrating innovation pipelines into seasonal product creation processes and long-range category strategies
You have experience leading and working in far-future concept thinking, strategic foresight and scenario planning to drive future direction and balanced portfolio approach
You have exceptional communication skills, including a proven ability to report findings and complex ideas to both scientists and nonscientists with strong visual and oral presentation skills
You have built and leveraged external networks to identify emerging technologies and innovation opportunities ahead of competitors
You have proven success in building high-performing, innovation-driven teams and fostering a culture of experimentation, learning, and accountability
You have experience coaching and mentoring a multi-disciplinary team of innovators
You are proactive in identifying the root cause of issues, seeking the best (sometimes not the easiest) solutions with an unwavering commitment to do what is right
You remain highly flexible and adaptable when faced with ambiguity
You effectively balance autonomy and collaboration
Your passion for your work is paralleled by your passion for getting outside and living it

The salary range for this role is CAD$149,000 - CAD$205,000.

Total Rewards

Most new team members join between the start and midpoint of the range, where you can contribute right away while continuing to grow your craft, your collaborations, and your impact at Arc’teryx. This range reflects market alignment and the scope of the role. Individual pay is determined by your skills, experience, and level of responsibility.

We’re committed to fair, equitable, and competitive pay, reviewed regularly to ensure internal alignment and market relevance. Transparency is part of how we follow through on our commitments and how we honour the value you bring to our team.

In addition to base pay, Arc’teryx supports people through benefits designed to sustain both work and life:

Health & wellbeing - Extended health, dental, and vision coverage, including mental health support, fertility benefits, gender-affirming care and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Financial wellbeing - RRSP matching and eligibility for Arc'teryx Annual Incentive Plan and access to Employee Stock Purchase program (ESPP) where applicable.
Time & Flexibility - Paid time off, wellness time, and No Wasted Day program (dedicated paid days to get outside & explore).
Family support - Parental leave top-up and a nesting period for new parents.
Growth, community & gear - Professional development opportunities, Arc'teryx Academies (outdoor skill-building events), Employee Belonging Councils, and access to employee discounts and Pro Deals (exclusive discounted pricing on gear).

 *Eligibility for certain programs may vary by role.

Equal Opportunity

Arc’teryx is committed to actively creating and fostering a culture of inclusivity where voices are heard, people are seen, and values are respected. We care about the uniqueness of our applicants, employees, and guests, and we do so in a safe space fueled by curiosity and acceptance.

Creating an inclusive workplace is connected to our core value Do Right while also having the added benefit of helping make our business better. We believe inclusion helps us to create a healthier, happier workplace, drive creativity and innovation, and reflect the communities where we operate.

All applicants, employees, and guests can expect equality of opportunity and fair treatment in alignment with our values.

Leave it Better

We believe that the mountains transform us, that how we adventure matters, and that there’s always a better way.

Join us in creating positive change in ourselves, our communities, and the world.

Live it. Get out there - the mountains make us better

Disruptive evolution. In pursuit of better. Always.

Commit. We set bold objectives and see them through.