Innovation Principal

Trace3•Irvine, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Trace3 Innovation team advises CxOs on the emerging technologies most relevant to their business challenges and transformation strategies. As trusted advisors, we deliver bespoke, high-impact guidance paired with unparalleled access to emerging technology ecosystems. The Innovation Principal is a senior, strategic individual contributor and recognized thought leader who shapes how our clients envision and adopt next-generation technology. Operating at the intersection of emerging technology, and executive advisory, the Innovation Principal partners with CxOs to translate ambiguity into clear technology strategy and innovative solutions to solve enterprise technology challenges. This role sets the technical and strategic vision across complex, multi-vertical engagements and influences decisions on technology investments, services, and go-to-market direction for Trace3 and its clients. As a visible technology leader, the Innovation Principal builds expertise within designated technology domains, translating technical concepts into business value for client executives, Trace3 teams, and industry audiences. Through research, advisory discussions, presentations, and written content, this role contributes to Trace3's market perspective on emerging technologies while supporting client engagement and innovation-driven business opportunities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university required; advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of broad information technology experience within a hands on technology team, including demonstrated success developing and executing strategic business plans.
Proven experience as a senior advisor to C-level executives, with the executive presence and communication skills to lead high-stakes conversations and present to CxO and non-technical audiences with confidence.
Depth across one or more technology domains (security, data and AI, cloud and infrastructure, or platform and developer tooling).
Deep strategic consulting capabilities, including the ability to diagnose complex technology challenges and translate them into actionable innovation and transformation strategies.
Demonstrated innovation leadership shaping technology vision, evaluating emerging technologies hands-on, and reaching defensible, independent conclusions rather than summarizing vendor claims.
Experience leading enterprise-scale technology teams, ensuring technologies are applied efficiently, profitably, and securely across large, complex organizations.
Change management experience, with a track record of guiding organizations through technology-driven change and adoption.
Experience balancing technology, financial and business acumen, with extensive experience understanding of the complexities that accompany technology transformation.
Ability to identify and cultivate multi-year opportunities, investing the time and patience required to harvest long-term, strategic outcomes.
Intimacy with emerging technologies and the startup, venture, and investment communities.
Proven ability to influence without authority and inspire business transformation across internal and client teams.
Notable, sustained thought leadership across multiple media outlets (conference speaking, published assets, and similar).
Highly organized and detail-oriented, with excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume, and evolving environment.
A proactive, consultative approach to client and sales needs, with excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.
Prior executive advisory or board-level engagement experience with enterprise clients.
Recognized industry presence through public speaking, published thought leadership, analyst relationships, or industry awards and recognition.
Ability to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

Partner with client executives and technical stakeholders to understand business objectives, technology requirements, and desired outcomes.
Analyze client environments, diagnose underlying business and technology challenges, and recommend appropriate innovation strategies.
Serve as a trusted advisor throughout the engagement lifecycle, providing guidance on emerging technologies, market trends, and adoption opportunities.
Match vetted technologies to client needs and facilitate introductions, workshops, and advisory discussions that support informed decision-making.
Present recommendations, risks, trade-offs, and implementation considerations, including when a technology is not the right fit for a client's environment.
Manage assigned engagements from discovery through transition to delivery or field teams and collaborate with Innovation Principals on complex opportunities.
Conduct research, analysis, and technical evaluation of emerging technologies, products, and vendors.
Assess solution capabilities, scalability, operational maturity, integration requirements, and business viability.
Establish recognized expertise within assigned innovation domains, shaping Trace3's perspective on emerging trends, venture activity, market disruption, and technology adoption.
Develop forward-looking insights and recommendations that help clients prioritize technology investments and transformation initiatives.
Translate research findings into actionable guidance regarding technology adoption, timing, risks, and opportunities.
Track engagement outcomes, client adoption, and business impact to continuously refine evaluation methodologies and recommendations.
Create written content including blogs, research briefs, technology perspectives, and market insights for internal and external audiences.
Deliver executive briefings, presentations, workshops, and advisory sessions for clients and Trace3 teams.
Contribute to internal enablement efforts that support emerging technology conversations across the organization.
Represent Trace3 at conferences, webinars, customer events, and innovation-focused industry engagements.
Support strategic Innovation programs, executive forums, and initiatives that increase client engagement and market visibility.
Adapt technical and business messaging for executive, technical, and industry audiences while exercising independent judgment and maintaining credibility.
Establish and communicate Trace3's point of view within assigned innovation domains through research, executive engagement, industry participation, and thought leadership content.