Innovation Initiatives and Engagement Manager

Agilent Technologies•Santa Clara, CA

About The Position

The Innovation Initiatives and Engagement Manager, within Agilent Technologies’ Office of the CTO, drives execution of research programs and associate engagement initiatives. Reporting to the VP, Research, the role translates agreed priorities into actionable plans, coordinates stakeholders, tracks deliverables, and keeps initiatives moving toward their intended outcomes. It combines program management for internal and external research collaborations with execution of activities that strengthen Agilent’s innovation culture, including innovation summits, internal grants, R&D seminars, and innovation awards. The position establishes disciplined planning, tracking, reporting, and closeout practices across multiple concurrent initiatives. It coordinates work across research teams, business units, external partners, and support functions; monitors timelines, budgets, risks, dependencies, and commitments; and provides the VP, Research with clear visibility into progress and decisions needed. It also manages innovation and engagement activities from planning through delivery, tracks participation and outcomes, and improves future activities based on feedback and lessons learned. The position is full-time, has a day shift, and requires travel 25% of the time. The role has no stated end date. The full-time equivalent pay range is $172,512–$269,550 per year, with eligibility for bonus, stock, and benefits. Actual pay depends on work location and additional job-related factors.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, business, or a related discipline.
At least 5 years of relevant experience in program management, project management, R&D operations, or a related execution-focused role.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple cross-functional initiatives and deliver results through disciplined planning and follow-through.
Experience tracking milestones, budgets, risks, dependencies, and deliverables.
Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to influence without direct authority and constructively hold stakeholders accountable.
Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a scientific or technology-driven organization.
Experience coordinating associate engagement programs, scientific events, or internal innovation initiatives.
PMP or similar certification.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain research program plans defining scope, deliverables, owners, milestones, timelines, and resource requirements.
Coordinate execution across internal research teams, business units, and external research partners.
Follow up with workstream owners to track commitments, confirm deliverables, and address delays.
Identify risks, dependencies, and execution barriers; facilitate resolution and escalate issues requiring leadership decisions.
Organize program reviews, document decisions and action items, and ensure follow-through.
Maintain concise dashboards and status reports for the VP, Research, showing progress, outstanding commitments, and decisions needed.
Coordinate with Finance, Legal, IP Counsel, Procurement, and other functions to keep funding, agreements, and administrative activities on track.
Manage end-to-end execution of innovation summits, R&D seminars, innovation awards, and related associate engagement initiatives.
Translate initiative objectives into detailed work plans, schedules, responsibilities, and communications.
Administer internal innovation grant programs, including proposal submissions, review schedules, funding coordination, milestone tracking, and progress reporting.
Coordinate speakers, reviewers, scientific contributors, and event support teams to ensure timely preparation and delivery.
Encourage associate participation through clear communications, accessible processes, and consistent follow-up.
Track participation, feedback, and program outcomes, and implement practical improvements.
Establish consistent processes for planning, tracking, reporting, and closing out research and innovation culture initiatives.
Maintain a consolidated calendar of milestones, program reviews, events, and key deadlines.
Ensure meetings produce clear decisions, assigned actions, and completion dates.
Manage concurrent initiatives and adjust plans as priorities and resource needs change.
Capture lessons learned and improve execution practices across the portfolio.