Innovation Specialist at Hope Network

Position Summary

Innovation Strategists will support projects such as:

• Direct-to-Employer Neurodiversity Program
• Neurodiversity in the Workforce Prototype
• Behavioral Health Outpatient Program Extension
• Organization Redesign and M&A Analysis/Support
The role requires a combination of strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and execution discipline, with an emphasis on collaboration across departments and external stakeholders.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and execution of strategic growth initiatives that align with Hope Network’s mission and long-term goals.
• Research emerging trends in healthcare and social determinants of health to identify new opportunities.
• Conduct feasibility studies, market analysis, and risk/benefit assessments to guide decision-making.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to generate, refine, and evaluate innovative concepts.
• Facilitate brainstorming workshops, design sprints, and problem-solving sessions to foster creativity and collective ownership.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal leaders, external partners, and community stakeholders.
• Translate ideas into actionable project plans, ensuring initiatives move from concept to pilot to implementation.
• Track progress against key milestones, monitor outcomes, and recommend course corrections when needed.
• Prepare clear and compelling reports, presentations, and recommendations for leadership consideration.
• Represent Hope Network at industry forums, conferences, and partner meetings to share learnings and build brand recognition.
• Scout for external collaboration opportunities, potential partnerships, and innovations in the field.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Marketing, Public Health, or a related field, preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree with relevant professional experience may be considered.
• 1–3 years of experience in consulting, healthcare, non-profit, innovation, or strategy-related roles (internships or project-based experience acceptable).
• Demonstrated experience working on cross-functional initiatives or project teams.
• Exposure to innovation methodologies (design thinking, lean startup, agile, etc.) a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Understanding of healthcare systems, behavioral health, or human services industry preferred.
• Knowledge of market research, financial modeling, or strategic planning methodologies.
• Familiarity with innovation frameworks (human-centered design thinking, systems thinking, or change management).
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to evaluate complex problems and propose actionable solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to tailor messaging to diverse audiences.
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills for workshops, meetings, and leadership briefings.
• High level of organization with project management skills to juggle multiple priorities.
• Ability to think both creatively and strategically, balancing vision with execution.
• Ability to build credibility and relationships across levels of the organization and with external partners.
• Ability to work independently in ambiguous environments while driving alignment and collaboration.
• Ability to adapt quickly to change and bring innovative ideas from concept to implementation.
• Aligns with core Hope Network competencies
o Resilient
o Collaborative
o Customer-focused
o Effective communicator
o Instills trust
o Values differences

Work Environment
The Innovation Strategist role operates in a hybrid office environment with flexibility for remote work. The position requires occasional travel for site visits, partner meetings, and industry events.