Job Title: Challenge Manager, Open Innovation Programs
Role Summary
The Challenge Manager is the central owner responsible for the successful design, execution, and end-to-end delivery of open innovation and prize challenge programs. This individual will own the entire challenge lifecycle, from initial client consultation and strategic design to platform management, participant engagement, judging, and final winner announcement. This role combines strategic program design with meticulous project management and high-touch account management. The ideal candidate is a proactive, organized, and creative problem-solver dedicated to driving client success through open innovation.
Key Responsibilities
-
Challenge Design & Strategy: Partner with clients to understand their strategic goals and design compelling prize challenges, defining the problem, success criteria, prize structure, legal rules, and evaluation frameworks.
-
End-to-End Program Execution: Manage the complete challenge lifecycle, including platform setup, launch, community/participant support, submission management, and multi-stage judging coordination.
-
Account & Client Relationship Management: Serve as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor for a portfolio of clients, building strong relationships, managing expectations, and ensuring strategic alignment and satisfaction.
-
Quality & Risk Management: Proactively identify and mitigate program risks, ensuring all challenge materials, communications, and deliverables are error-free, legally compliant, and meet the highest quality standards.
-
Reporting & Analytics: Track key program metrics and provide regular, insightful status updates and post-challenge analysis reports to clients and internal leadership.
-
Stakeholder Coordination: Liaise with internal teams (e.g., marketing, legal, technical) and external partners (e.g., judges, subject matter experts) to ensure seamless program delivery.
Qualifications & Skills
-
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Technology, Science, Communications, Public Policy, or a related field.
-
3-5+ years of experience in program or project management, with direct experience in designing and executing open innovation programs, prize competitions, accelerators, or similar initiatives.
-
Proven experience in client-facing account management or strategic consulting; ability to manage multiple stakeholders, build consensus, and act as a trusted advisor.
-
A strong understanding of the open innovation landscape, prize challenge mechanics, and crowdsourcing principles.
-
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create clear, compelling documentation (e.g., challenge briefs, rules, reports).
-
Expert-level organizational skills and an obsessive attention to detail.
-
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen ability to identify risks and develop mitigation strategies.
-
Experience with challenge management platforms or similar SaaS products is highly desirable.
Compensation & Benefits
This position offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience. We provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes healthcare coverage and a 401(k) plan to support the well-being and financial future of our team members.
How to Apply
This job post is now closed and is no longer accepting applications.
