Director of Innovation and IP

Momentive Technologies•Strongsville, OH

About The Position

Drive the future of advanced materials by championing breakthrough ideas and safeguarding the technologies that set us apart. In this role, you’ll lead the innovation engine—accelerating New Product Introductions (NPI) through a disciplined tollgate process that minimizes risk and maximizes market impact. You’ll shape our IP strategy to create a defensible, differentiated portfolio, ensuring our innovations translate into sustainable competitive advantage. This is a high-visibility position at the intersection of science, strategy, and commercialization—perfect for a visionary leader passionate about turning cutting-edge concepts into real-world solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and experience working with technology or R&D organization developing new products through an NPI tollgate process
10+ years of experience with increasing areas of responsibility and success; demonstrated people management and project management skills
Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional environments and leading by influence
Strong understanding of project financial analysis, NPI stage gate processes, and IP
Well organized and results-driven with a demonstrated track record of meeting results and commitments
A self-starter who can manage many projects at the same time

Nice To Haves

Engineering degree, MBA, or law degree
Experience generating patents and writing/reviewing patent language
Experience with competitive and internal patent analysis
Project management certification

Responsibilities

Manage NPI process
Accelerate NPI Progress by proactively identifying and mitigate potential roadblocks at each stage of the NPI process; resolve unforeseen issues within agreed timelines to keep projects on track.
Recommend and support engineering and marketing resources to ensure timely development and commercialization of NPIs; drive alignment with strategic growth targets.
Drive cross-functional engagement of manufacturing and commercial teams with NPI’s and Stage Gate reviews, achieving 100% participation for critical decision points.
Train and support regional teams on NPI processes globally; monitor compliance and implement tailored modifications (e.g., NPI Lite) to reduce risk and shorten NPI development cycle time.
Create documentation excellence through the development and maintenance of comprehensive training materials; manage all Senior Leadership Team (SLT) reviews and signoffs to ensure zero delays in project approvals.
Represent R&D during ISO audits by maintaining accurate documentation and achieving full compliance with quality standards.
Design and implement an NPI Scorecard to prioritize projects and optimize resource allocation, driving measurable improvements in time-to-market and ROI.
Serve as Project Manager for 1–3 high-impact NPI programs, delivering on-time launches with defined commercial success metrics.
Promote innovation across the organization:
Internally: drive brainstorming and innovation related discussions and activities, coordinate biannual technology summits to cross-fertilize ideas and approaches between business units
Externally: Build networks with external companies and consultants who can work with our technology team to improve their results and accelerate the time-to-market
Intellectual Property
Establish regular cadence of IP reviews with legal, business management, and Technology Directors to ensure IP portfolio is actively managed, including but not limited to: patent rationalization, invention disclosure submission, and monthly review process.
Assist in white space mapping to assess areas of potential filing and coordinate ideation sessions with internal and external catalysts
Coordinate IP strategy development by business unit, product line, and technology
Manage IP Rewards and Recognition Program by keeping records of invention submission, IP council decisions, and disclosure status (patent filed, patent granted, Trade Secret write-up generated) so that recognition and rewards are disbursed properly.
Verify appropriate follow-up by law firms and teams on responses to patent office actions to maximize IP portfolio value
Personnel Development
Develop processes that support acquisition and retention of key & enabling skills via internal mentoring, job rotation, and internships/CoOps.
Establish process to embed mentoring philosophy and best practices across functional organizations.
Work with Technology Directors and managers to ensure career development is an active process developing the talent needed for Momentive Technologies to sustain profitable top line growth and margin expansion