Innovation Leader - Operations Center - Onalaska WI

Founded over 95 years ago, Altra Federal Credit Union has grown from a small group of members with a shared mission into a modern, forward‑thinking financial institution serving communities across the Midwest and beyond. While much has changed since our beginning, our purpose remains the same: to create member loyalty by providing products, services, and guidance that enable our members, staff, and communities to prosper.

At Altra, innovation and tradition go hand in hand. We are hiring an Innovation Leader to strengthen Altra's innovation culture by guiding ideas, applying design thinking, and partnering across teams and fintechs to deliver member-focused solutions. Leading the Innovation Lab, this individual will support hands-on experimentation and pilot new technologies while helping teams bring ideas to life. By connecting strategy, people, and technology, the Innovation leader will drive scalable initiatives that enhance member experience and strengthen Altra’s competitive position in an evolving financial services environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion Altra’s culture of innovation by encouraging idea generation, experimentation, and collaboration across departments.
• Facilitate innovation workshops, design‑thinking and human-centered problem-solving sessions, challenges, and employee engagement activities.
• Support the intake, evaluation, prioritization, and advancement of ideas through Altra’s innovation process or idea portal.
• Research industry trends, financial services innovation, and best practices to inform future initiatives.
• Track and communicate progress, outcomes, and learnings related to innovation initiatives.
• Serve as a coach and resource for employees interested in innovation, continuous improvement, or creative problem‑
• Ensure innovation efforts are aligned with regulatory requirements, risk considerations, and Altra’s member‑first philosophy.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and fintech providers to explore emerging technologies, tools, and capabilities that align with Altra’s strategy.
• Manage and leverage the Innovation Lab to pilot and evaluate new technologies and solutions.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for fintech partners and manage the fintech repository.
• Evaluate fintech solutions and collaborate with business units to define use cases and value.
• Support pilot programs and proof-of-concept initiatives to bring innovative ideas to life.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field. Experience in lieu of degree will be considered.
• 3 years of experience in innovation, continuous improvement, strategy, project management, or a related role is required.
• Familiarity with fintech ecosystems, digital banking tools, automation, or emerging financial technologies a plus.
• Strong understanding of innovative concepts, design thinking, training, or structured problem‑solving methodologies and facilitating internal programs a plus.
• Experience evaluating or working with fintech providers.
• Technically competent administering software programs.
• Ability to influence without authority and collaborate effectively across departments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting ideas to diverse audiences.
• High level of organization, adaptability, and comfort working in a fast‑changing environment.
  
  

Availability

• This position is salaried, full-time, 40- hours per week, Monday through Friday.
• Primary working hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST
  
  

Work Environment

• This position is located at Altra’s Operations Center in Onalaska, WI
• However, this position could be blended remote; time split regularly between working from home and working in the office.
  
  

Pay & Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• When bilingual in Spanish or Hmong, receive a $1.00 per hour pay premium after completing and passing the language exam.
• Comprehensive benefits package that includes medical / dental / vision coverage, group life insurance, supplemental life insurance options, and more!
• Up to a 6% Employer-matched 401(k) additional 3% employer contribution
• Two-weeks paid sabbatical every five years worked, plus four-week paid sabbatical at twenty years!
• Paid time off, volunteer time off, and your birthday off (paid)!
• Employee-only perks and discounts!
  
  

At Altra Federal Credit Union, you’ll be part of a team that values people over profits and puts members at the heart of everything we do. We believe in creating a supportive and collaborative workplace where employees are empowered to grow, develop their careers, and make a real impact in the lives of others. By joining Altra, you’ll not only gain the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with members and coworkers, but you’ll also be contributing to a mission-driven organization that is dedicated to improving the financial well-being of our members and the communities we serve.

Altra is proud to be a Great Place to Work® certified company seven years in a row; 92% of our employees say Altra is a great place to work! At Altra, we invest in each other and work together to make a difference in the communities we serve and to help people live their best lives! We support diversity in the workplace and are an Equal Opportunity Employer

Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field. Experience in lieu of degree will be considered.
• 3 years of experience in innovation, continuous improvement, strategy, project management, or a related role is required.
• Technically competent administering software programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting ideas to diverse audiences.
• High level of organization, adaptability, and comfort working in a fast‑changing environment.
  
  

Preferred

• Familiarity with fintech ecosystems, digital banking tools, automation, or emerging financial technologies a plus.
• Strong understanding of innovative concepts, design thinking, training, or structured problem‑solving methodologies and facilitating internal programs a plus.
• Experience evaluating or working with fintech providers.
  
  

Education Required

• Bachelors or better in Business Administration or related field
• High School or GED or better
  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.