Detroit-based Innovation Strategist
We are seeking a Detroit-based Innovation Strategist to join our team. Much of our work relies on thinking ahead and making connections that aren’t obvious. Our team thrives in the opportunity presented by change. We seek like-minded people who are comfortable in ambiguity and with cross-sector work, tackling new challenges, and taking initiative.
Job Overview
We help public and private organizations design innovation programs and pilot new solutions and technologies. Our work proactively prepares for change, overcomes obstacles, and lays the groundwork for systems change. Our projects engage the community, industries, startups, government and academia and innovation strategists at Orange Sparkle Ball learn to speak to all these groups. We pilot solutions at a small scale for short periods of time in real world environments across the US. These pilots happen within very defined systems, such as organizational structures, regulatory restrictions, or limitations of the technology being tested. We understand that communication drives understanding and alignment and thus, everyone at Orange Sparkle Ball plays a central role in communications. This position will serve in a cross-functional role and be dedicated to a variety of projects.
In This Role, You Will:
Coordinate and communicate with the community, partners, clients and internal teams to activate new projects and push existing work forward
Help partners understand the value of and capitalize on emerging technologies, connect with customers and the community, and respond to changing expectations
Proactively communicate with partners, clients, and teammates to gain alignment and mitigate risk
Identify challenges & opportunities, perform research, and analyze trends/results to determine strategic implications and recommendations
Engage with the community through focus group facilitation, technology demos, and presentations
Collaborate with community, partners, clients, and internal teams to create differentiated human-centered experiences that benefit people and businesses
Be expected to use both qualitative and quantitative data to drive projects forward
Contribute your perspective and voice, in writing and in presentations, to Orange Sparkle Ball communications and media
Create visual, written, and media assets to support project work and the company
Influence multi-sector partners and help guide conversations to desired outcomes
Create presentation documents to communicate findings and recommendations
Always be looking for ways to creatively add value to our team beyond your job description
Qualifications:
Strong communication and Adobe Creative Suite skills
Self-starter with the ability to deal with ambiguity, adapt, and drive change
Strongly oriented around strategy, problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision making with a demonstrated ability to act decisively
Willing to tackle new challenges
Skilled in written, verbal, visual, and multimedia communication
Highly organized, highly self-directed, and detail-oriented
Knowledgeable and curious about new technologies and solutions and able to see possibilities from a fresh and human-centered perspective
Cross-functional interests with the ability to bridge learnings and applications across content areas
Tell us about your:
Curiosity and/or experience in the public and private sector
Curiosity and/or experience in community-based settings
Curiosity and/or experience with data
Curiosity and/or experience in entrepreneurial settings
Curiosity and/or experience with innovation principles or human centered design principles
About the Team
Orange Sparkle Ball is an innovation and impact accelerator, activating change through research, technology, and human-centered design. We measure the ecosystem, create innovation programs and initiatives supported by robust communication strategies, design and implement data-driven pilots, and evaluate progress toward outcomes. Our experience with government, industry, technology startups, public/private partnerships, and academia allows us to provide a full ecosystem approach to solutions. Our work is designed to consistently consider the four layers necessary to create change: the ecosystem, the initiative or platform, pilots or projects, and the people who are championing change.
