Innovation Director

The Innovation Director (ID) will play a critical leadership role in advancing our technology solutions and driving business growth. This position offers the opportunity to collaborate with clients, partners, and internal teams to create innovative solutions that drive tangible business outcomes, enhance our market presence and accelerate revenue growth. In this role, the ID will partner with Sales, Delivery, and Clients to define what success looks like and to ensure that we close high-value, strategic opportunities across NRI's portfolio. A key part will be to educate and empower our sales teams and clients by clearly articulating the value of our services and what sets NRI apart in the market. They will lead advisory and consulting efforts on the most complex and strategic client engagements, ensuring seamless delivery and long-term alignment with client objectives. As a technical authority and relationship builder, they will shape innovative strategies, offering thought leadership that not only solves immediate challenges but also positions clients for future success. As a thought leader in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, the DI will drive our modern application strategy, innovation, and practical adoption across client solutions. Through whitepapers, speaking engagements, and executive briefings, they will establish NRI as a trusted authority in modern application development, helping clients navigate cloud-native adoption, modernization, and digital transformation with confidence. Responsibilities Create, evolve, and promote guiding principles for client engagement to ensure alignment with long-term strategic objectives. Translate AI capabilities into real-world business value—cost savings, efficiency, customer engagement . Design AI-powered products and services that align with client needs. Accelerate enablement and collaboration with the sales organization to improve effectiveness, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to drive successful client engagements. Ensure consistency across engagement methods and approaches to deliver predictable, high-quality results for clients. Engage in ideation sessions with clients to provide forward-looking insights and innovative strategies tailored to their business needs. Deliver strategic advisory services, guiding clients through digital transformation and technology modernization driving deeper relationships and long-term growth Co-develop sales strategies and solution engagement approaches alongside the sales team to maximize opportunity win rates. Help shape sales opportunities by refining solution design, ensuring alignment with client objectives, and adding value throughout the process. Lead pursuit teams to drive client confidence and secure key wins. Ensure alignment to client business objectives post-signature to guarantee seamless delivery and successful outcomes. Evangelize success stories by showcasing client wins, fostering advocacy, and demonstrating the impact of NRI’s solutions. Lead and participate in CIO roundtables and executive engagements to build and strengthen high-level client relationships. Represent NRI North America at partner events, articulating the company’s vision and innovative solutions. Provide guidance to practices, shaping the development of skillsets and offerings to ensure they align with market needs and client demands. Drive new offering creation, ensuring NRI remains ahead of market trends and client expectations. Serve as the communication bridge between sales, delivery, operations, marketing, and the Innovation Team, ensuring insights and feedback flow consistently across departments. Use client and market feedback to refine offerings, shape go-to-market strategies, and continuously improve service delivery. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 12+ years of experience as a technical consulting leader or in similar roles. Hands-on expertise in modern application development, including microservices, APIs, serverless computing, and event-driven design. Strong experience architecting and deploying solutions on cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. In-depth knowledge of containerization and orchestration (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes), CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code. Familiarity with modern front-end frameworks (React, Angular, Vue.js) and backend frameworks (Node.js, Spring Boot, Django). Strong understanding of application security, IAM, encryption, compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA). Demonstrated ability to evaluate emerging technologies and translate them into innovative client solutions. Strong technical, business, and financial acumen. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Benefits - you'll love working at NRI North America not just for the usual benefits but for our environment and culture! You'll work with a great group of people in a highly collaborative team and results oriented atmosphere You'll have the opportunity to work in a dynamic and extremely positive environment where there is always the opportunity to challenge your skills and really move the needle You’ll work with large, sophisticated, and progressive clients throughout North America We provide a comprehensive benefits program including: $0 Healthcare option, company contribution to Health Savings Account with enrollment in a qualifying plan, 401(k) plus company match, Professional Development funds, Flexible Time Off (FTO) plus 11 company holidays, 4 weeks Parental/Caregiver Leave, company paid family building/fertility benefits through Progyny, Dental and Vision Insurance, and company paid Life/AD&D, short term and long term disability insurance. Notices The above description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, knowledge, skills, or experience required of individuals in this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. NRI North America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. NRI North America will accept applications on an ongoing basis. NRI North America will consider qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with The Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the hiring process, please direct your inquiries to [email protected].