Manager of Innovation

We’re looking for a Manager of Innovation to be the connective tissue between creativity and technology at our agency. In this role, you’ll be responsible for managing, deploying, and optimizing AI tools across teams, while working directly with the Chief Creative & Innovation Officer on R&D efforts to identify, pilot, and scale emerging technologies.

This is not an IT or back-office role. This is for someone who understands the creative process, speaks the language of innovation, and can turn bleeding-edge tech into tangible, everyday solutions that elevate ideas, improve workflows, and unlock new creative possibilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage the agency’s AI ecosystem—from text and image generators to video synthesis, personalization tools, automation platforms, and beyond.
• Lead onboarding, training, and support across teams to drive adoption and effective use of AI tools.
• Work closely with the CCIO to explore and vet new technologies, including conducting pilots, building use cases, and surfacing insights and recommendations.
• Collaborate with Creative, Strategy, Production, and Account teams to develop custom AI workflows that improve speed, scale, and storytelling, and support new business initiatives.
• Build and maintain a knowledge base and tool stack, ensuring the agency stays ahead of innovation trends and tech capabilities.
• Partner with external platforms and vendors to test beta tools, secure partnerships, and influence product development where applicable.
• Serve as the agency’s go-to resource for creative technology, proactively identifying ways AI can augment (not replace) the creative process.
• Manage and mentor the Innovation Coordinator, providing clear direction, support, and growth opportunities while ensuring seamless execution of innovation initiatives and daily operations.
  
  

Who You Are

• A tech-forward problem solver who’s excited about the creative potential of AI—and knows how to put theory into practice.
• Equally comfortable rolling up your sleeves to test prompts and build prototypes as you are presenting findings and training teams.
• Curious, resourceful, and relentlessly proactive—you don’t wait to be told what’s next; you go find it.
• An excellent communicator who can translate between creative and technical stakeholders.
• Passionate about making innovation useful and usable—not just flashy.
• Informed about ethical and practical implications of emerging technologies.
  
  

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in advertising/marketing/communications or related field
• 5–8 years experience in creative technology, digital innovation, or similar roles at an agency, studio, or tech-forward organization.
• Hands-on familiarity with leading AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT/Sora, Gemini/Veo, Runway, ElevenLabs, etc.) and AI-powered project management platforms, and a desire to stay on the edge of what’s next.
• Experience building or managing creative workflows and deploying tech across teams or departments.
• Background in marketing, design, creative ops, product, or emerging tech a strong plus.
• Strong presentation, documentation, and project management skills.
• Bonus: some experience with scripting, APIs, or low-code/no-code platforms.
  
  

Benefits And Perks

• Hybrid work model
• Cell phone reimbursement
• 20 PTO days accrued annually
• 19 Holidays (including shutdowns)
• Birthday off
• Shutdown for Thanksgiving week
• Shutdown for Christmas week
• Flex Fridays – half days on Fridays year-round
• Bereavement leave
• Employee referral program
• 401(k) with company match
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  
  

Equal Employment Opportunity

IW Group is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment. IW Group provides equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identification and expression, national origin, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic established by local, state, or federal law.