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# Director, Strategic Innovation Organization

- **Company:** CoBank, ACB
- **Location:** Greenwood Village, CO, United States
- **Experience:** Experienced
- **Salary:** $177,100.0 - $217,900.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Agile Methodology, Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Data Analysis, Cloud Computing, Software Documentation, Information Systems, Data Architecture, Financial Software, Python (Programming Language), Node.Js, Open Source Technology, Cloud Services, Software Engineering, Scripting, Computer Networking Systems, ReactJS, Vue.js, Information Technology, Data Analytics, Free and Open-Source Software
- **Published:** September 18, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.careerbuilder.com/job-details/director-strategic-innovation-greenwood-village-co--17600bd2-432b-472a-872f-a61b94e608d3

## About the Role

* Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Technology, Business, or a related field required

Work Experience

 * 12 years of progressive experience in banking, financial services, cooperative finance, agribusiness finance, or another highly regulated environment required
 * 7 years of supervisory/management experience required
 * 4 years of leadership experience in innovation strategy, product management, digital transformation, venture research, process optimization, customer experience, or related discipline required
 * Prior Experience leading cross-functional teams to develop business cases, evaluate technology-enabled opportunities, and deliver proofs of concept, prototypes, or scalable solutions required
 * Strong understanding of emerging technologies, fintech trends, data and analytics, artificial intelligence, automation, digital banking, and their potential application in financial services and agriculture-oriented lending.
 * Ability to understand modern technology platforms, cloud services, data architecture, application development concepts, and vendor solutions sufficiently to evaluate opportunities and engage credibly with technical teams.
 * Familiarity with tech stacks like React, Vue.JS, Node.JS, Python, AWS native services, and other open source software.
 * Demonstrated ability to move between strategic executive dialogue and detailed technology, process, product, and operating model discussions.
 * Excellent collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams in a matrixed organization.
 * Demonstrated experience building business cases, defining success metrics, measuring outcomes, and transitioning successful innovation concepts into implementation pathways.
 * Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and presentation skills.
 * Ability to interpret technical concepts for various audiences.
 * Demonstrated ability to lead multiple workstreams simultaneously.

Physical Exertion Details

Sedentary Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met., Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time., Agile Programming Methodologies, Agriculture, Alliance/Partner Management, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Banking Services, Budgeting, Business Case, Business Processes, Change Management, Cloud Computing, Communication Skills, Compensation and Benefits, Computer Science, Conflict Resolution, Consumer Loans, Cross-Functional, Customer Experience, Data Analysis, Emerging Technology, Entrepreneurship, Establish Priorities, Feasibility Analysis, Finance, Finance Software, Financial Services, Higher Education, Incentive Programs, Information Technology & Information Systems, Interpersonal Skills, Investment Management, Leadership, Leading Edge Technology, Legal, Loans, Management Strategy, Market Research, Market Trend Analysis, Matrix Management, Metrics, Needs Assessment, Network Systems, Node.js, Open Source, People Management, Performance Analysis, Performance Management, Performance Metrics, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Process Improvement, Product
Management, Proof of Concept, Prototyping, Python Programming/Scripting Language, React.js, Relationship Management, Resource Management, Retail Banking, Risk Management, Sales Management, Sales Qualification, Software Development, Startup, Strategic Analysis, Strategic Planning, Student Loans, Talent Management, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Technical Operations, Thought Leadership, Training/Teaching, Trend Analysis, Tuition Reimbursement, Use Cases, User Documentation, Vue.js, Wholesale Industry, Willing to Travel, Workforce Planning

## Description

The Director, Strategic Innovation leads CoBank's enterprise innovation function and is responsible for translating emerging technologies, market trends, customer needs, and business challenges into practical opportunities that advance the bank's strategy and long-term competitiveness. Working in conjunction with the Strategic Analysis team, this role executes the vision, governance, operating model, and portfolio discipline for innovation across the organization. Working closely with executive leadership and internal stakeholders, the Director leads ideation, research, experimentation, proofs of concept, prototypes, and incubation efforts that can be scaled into business value. The role requires a strategic, entrepreneurial, and highly collaborative leader who can navigate ambiguity, influence across a matrixed environment, communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences, and foster a culture of disciplined innovation, curiosity, and measurable impact. This role
is accountable for fostering creativity, driving the development of cutting-edge solutions and delivering tangible value through the consistent delivery of impactful innovation use cases.

Essential Functions

 * Leads CoBank's Strategic Innovation function, including direct people leadership, operating model development, portfolio management, and cross-functional engagement to identify, evaluate, and advance high-value innovation opportunities.
 * Drives the innovation planning process and guide technology innovation roadmaps aligned to CoBank's strategy and priorities.
 * Manages the innovation portfolio and concept pipeline from discovery through ideation, business case articulation, proof of concept, prototype, incubation, and development. Responsible for innovation budget recommendations and resource allocation decisions.
 * Collaborates effectively with a dedicated team of software development professionals to deliver innovation use cases that drive business value and that are compatible with the bank's broader information technology environment, roadmap and business processes.
 * Partners with internal stakeholders to evaluate feasibility, manage risks, define success measures, and ensure innovation efforts are practical, secure, compliant, and scalable. Establish innovation performance metrics and reporting to executive leadership.
 * Engages executives, senior leaders, product owners, technologists, and subject matter experts to understand business needs, frame problems, prioritize opportunities, and guide solution development using agile, iterative, and human-centered approaches.
 * Collaborates with stakeholders to understand business needs and challenges. Collaborate with data, technology, and operations to develop potential solutions within an agile framework.
 * Builds innovation capability across the organization by facilitating idea generation, experimentation, knowledge sharing, change adoption, and disciplined learning from successes and failures.
 * Conducts market research to identify capability gaps and opportunities for new innovation.
 * Identifies and cultivate strategic partnerships with fintechs, startups and other external partners to enhance innovation capabilities.
 * Represents CoBank as a credible thought leader on innovation, emerging technology, and financial services modernization within relevant industry forums, particularly across the Farm Credit System.
 * As a people manager at CoBank, you will be expected to manage and lead associates. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, associate performance management, talent strategy, workforce planning, change management, conflict resolution, and relationship management. You will drive and be accountable for the team's development, alignment with the division's objectives, as well as with CoBank's strategy and mission., We are committed to ensuring that our online application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all applicants, including qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are an applicant with a disability, or are assisting an applicant with a disability, and require accessibility assistance or would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any aspect of the application process, including completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please submit a request by emailing recruiting@cobank.com. Include your contact information and specific details about your requested accommodation.


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