Innovation Specialist

VSP Vision Care•Cynthian, OH

2d•$63,000 - $108,675•Hybrid

About The Position

The Innovation Specialist supports GIC initiatives by applying core expertise and collaborating with ecosystem partners and other domain experts to reimagine the way eye care and eyewear are delivered to the world. This role contributes to the delivery of innovation projects and programs across the GIC and helps clarify complex topics for team members. The Innovation Specialist focuses on learning, execution, and collaboration, with guidance from senior team members.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; or equivalent experience
Minimum 4 years of experience in relevant topics including: Innovation, Emerging Technology, Research & Development, Product Design, or related
Expertise in a relevant subject matter domain and developing understanding of adjacent areas in healthcare, business models, and technology
Experience contributing to projects and adapting to changing requirements
Demonstrates creative problem solving and adaptability
Strong presentation and communication skills with the ability to contribute to research briefs and presentations (PowerPoint)
Able to explain technical concepts to non-technical people, including the relevance to their work or business
Interested in developing and sharing project pitches
Skilled at providing and receiving thoughtful and constructive feedback
For roles that are remote (i.e., Work From Home (WFH)) or hybrid (i.e., partial onsite at a VSP location and WFH), must demonstrate a high level of engagement in virtual environments, including maintaining camera presence during meetings to support effective communication and team alignment

Nice To Haves

Industry experience in healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and technology is preferred but not required
Experience working in creative cultures in either consulting or large corporate environments is preferred

Responsibilities

Assist in the design and execution of projects exploring and scaling concepts related to assigned domain areas
Contribute to technology evaluation, business model innovation, prototyping, and proof-of-concept activities
Monitor assigned domain area(s) and build an understanding of their potential, maturity, and impact to our business
Build on existing experience to quickly understand new technology, business models, markets, consumer trends, etc needed to develop awareness of adjacent areas
Apply concept testing and validation, user research, or other related experimentation methodologies under the guidance of senior team members
Support product or business model evaluation using established scorecards and criteria
Support the identification and definition of problems and opportunity areas, development of hypotheses, and contribute to testing and validation of assumptions
Develop and pitch new project ideas and opportunities
Contribute to presentation of project findings to all levels of the enterprise
Collaborate with internal and external partners that deepen current and future knowledge between the company and emerging markets