Director, Corporate Innovation
About The Position
Corporate Innovation is one of Eastman's few enterprise-level organizations designed to look across technologies, material streams, businesses, and markets. Its greatest value lies in proactively identifying and enabling Eastman's next wave of growth through new platforms, enabling technologies, talent development, and long-term innovation leadership. At times, Corporate Innovation also serves to support and fill resource gaps for some of the most pressing short-term corporate opportunities. The Director, Corporate Innovation leads a team of Chemists, Engineers, Technicians and Marketers to define cross-enterprise technology strategy, build future growth platforms, and advance high-value cross-business opportunities. This leader will integrate multidisciplinary capabilities including molecular modeling, synthesis, application innovation, external innovation, technology scouting, and emerging technologies—to deliver differentiated platforms and measurable business impact.
Requirements
- Bachelors degree or higher degree in relevant technical discipline.
- 15+ years relevent experience required.
- Experience leading large complex global organizations required.
- Demonstrated ability to identify the intersection of external trends and needs required, including experience working with third party parters.
- Demonstrated track record of empathetic people leadership.
- Leadership experience with an understanding of competency building.
- Market insight and strong customer/value chain engagement skills.
- Experience with new product and application development and commercial launch.
- Competency with technology and innovation portfolio management.
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated expertise in effective collaboration with cross-functional partners.
- Demonstrated ability to set strategy, prioritize portfolios, allocate resources, influence stakeholders, hire and develop talent, and deliver measurable outcomes.
- Sound judgment in ambiguous environments, with the ability to balance near-term execution and long-term growth.
Responsibilities
- Define the vision, operating model, and strategic priorities for Corporate Innovation.
- Identify and assess opportunities created at the intersection of global/regional macro trends and Eastman competencies/capabilities to define Where to Play, Should We Do it and How To Win options.
- Govern the innovation portfolio across near-term enablement, Horizon 2 opportunities, and Horizon 3 platforms
- Advance cross-business opportunities through disciplined experimentation and evidence-based investment decisions.
- Focus core capabilities on differentiated technology platforms, external partnerships, intellectual property, and business impact.
- Build a high-performing, inclusive leadership team with clear expectations, strong development, and succession depth.
- Influence senior stakeholders and strengthen partnerships across businesses, functions, universities, startups, suppliers, and external organizations.
- Use scorecards and governance to track value creation, risk reduction, transition readiness, adoption, and talent development.
Benefits
- Base pay plus performance-based incentive opportunities
- Comprehensive medical, prescription-drug, and dental coverage
- Health Savings Account option
- Voluntary benefits—including vision, optional life, critical-illness protection
- Holistic wellness support: financial-planning tools, family-building assistance (adoption, pregnancy, and fertility resources), parental leave, and confidential Employee Assistance Program counseling.
- 401(k) with a company match
- Additional annual retirement contribution from Eastman
- Eleven paid holidays
- One personal day
- Paid time off
- Paid vacation
- Access to mentorship, learning resources, and leadership programs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
