Manager, Innovation Strategy Development

Over Habitat for Humanity’s 40+ year history, innovation has been a key driver of growth and change. The source of this innovation comes from the Habitat’s grassroots approach, with affiliates leading the way in testing new approaches to meet Habitat’s mission. Affiliates have developed new products that address local needs in unique ways; including approaches to expand impact with broader communities; advocacy efforts that have opened the door to more affordable units within and outside of Habitat’s direct work. In addition, at various points Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) has also sought to seed innovation. The “future state” of the U.S. Support Model puts innovation squarely in scope and seeks to elevate it as an intentional and thoughtful practice that both encourages innovation and clearly identifies goals for it and socializes the lessons with a diverse network of 1200+ affiliates. To this end, in FY20 HFHI will invest in U.S. innovation strategy development, and this manager position will lead the work.

With input and guidance from myriad HFHI and affiliate stakeholders and industry thought leaders, the Manager of Innovation Strategy Development will craft a vision and implementation plan for FY21 and beyond. The scope includes broad questions like “What are Habitat’s goals for innovation and why?” and “What can we learn from successful and unsuccessful innovations of the past?” to specifics like “What is Habitat’s innovation approach, and how will it be resourced? What are near-term investments or opportunities?” Through his/her work, the Manager – Innovation Strategy Development will create a strategy and implementation plan that gains senior leadership buy-in. This is a temporary, one-year position (expires on June 30, 2020).