Senior Director, Innovation - Office of AI & Innovation
Gap
About the Role
We are seeking an accomplished Senior Director, Innovation to lead strategic innovation initiatives across Gap Inc., including our corporate entity and our family of brands. This senior leadership role will drive the strategic vision, execution, and integration of innovative technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to transform our creative, operational, and strategic capabilities. Reporting into the Office of AI & Innovation, you will manage executive relationships, oversee vendor partnerships, define and champion policy and process, and drive impactful innovations from concept to deployment, ensuring alignment with business objectives.What You'll Do
Who You Are
A seasoned innovation leader with extensive experience in executive management, product and program leadership, strategy formulation, and advanced technology integration within retail, fashion, media, entertainment, or related industries.
Skilled in managing innovation processes including POCs, strategic partnerships, contracting, and vendor management.
Experienced in fostering a culture of continuous learning, design thinking, experimentation, and agility.
Highly effective at cross-functional leadership, capable of building consensus and alignment among executives, managers, creative teams, and technology providers.
A tinkerer at heart, always interested in experimenting and learning on the bleeding edge of technology.
Biased for action, pushing on those around you to make progress, even when blocked on all fronts.
Adept at translating complex technological strategies into clear executive-level communications, presentations, and actionable roadmaps.
Connected to the venture capital / startup community with existing relationships you can leverage.
Passionate about the ethical application of AI and advanced technologies, with strong awareness of innovation governance, policy, and compliance frameworks.
Key Responsibilities
Executive Innovation Leadership
Lead and manage executive strategy planning sessions, aligning innovation initiatives with Gap Inc.’s strategic goals.
Develop executive-level presentations, strategy decks, and status reports, clearly communicating innovation objectives and outcomes.
Innovation Program & Product Management
Oversee innovation product development, from ideation and requirements gathering through experimentation and deployment.
Manage proofs-of-concept (POCs), experimentation timelines, and evaluation frameworks.
Cross-functional & External Collaboration
Conduct alignment meetings with middle management and cross-functional teams to integrate innovation strategies effectively.
Attend and contribute to conferences and external education forums, staying abreast of emerging trends.
Cultivate strategic relationships with key vendors, partners, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and advisory groups.
Governance & Policy Development
In partnership with business partners, develop and enforce policies and governance frameworks guiding the responsible use and deployment of AI and emerging technologies.
Manage contracting processes, approvals, and ensure compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.
Capability Building & Education
Lead internal educational sessions, workshops, and roadshows to promote a culture of innovation.
Design and deliver comprehensive learning programs tailored to various stakeholder groups, ensuring effective adoption of innovations.
Research & Experimentation
Direct strategic research initiatives to identify new technology trends and innovative opportunities.
Facilitate experimentation time and design thinking sessions to validate new concepts and solutions.
Communications & Change Management
Develop robust communication strategies and manage change initiatives to ensure broad adoption and integration of innovations.
Provide advisory services, support the development of clear innovation narratives, and promote organizational buy-in.
Who You Are
Exceptional strategic planning and executive management capabilities.
Demonstrated success in program and product management, particularly around emerging technologies and AI integration.
Expertise in design thinking, requirements gathering, experimentation, and prototyping.
Strong skills in contract negotiation, vendor management, and partnership cultivation.
Advanced communication and executive presentation abilities.
Proven ability to drive education initiatives, capability building, and adoption of innovative solutions.