Director of Product Innovation

VGM Group, Inc•Waterloo, IA

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

VGM Forbin is VGM Group’s technology hub—where software, AI, and digital platforms come together to solve real business problems and improve customer outcomes. We’re looking for a Director of Product Innovation to help define what’s next for our technology portfolio and turn big ideas into executable, high‑impact solutions. This is a senior, hands-on role for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy, product discovery, and technical feasibility—and who knows how to move innovation forward without losing momentum in delivery. WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS As Director of Product Innovation, you’ll partner directly with the President of Forbin to shape the technology roadmap that drives future growth. You’ll identify new opportunities, validate concepts, and help teams navigate tradeoffs so the right ideas move forward—clearly, confidently, and with purpose. This role is not about owning delivery teams—it’s about setting direction, enabling execution, and building alignment across product, engineering, and business leaders. Working Location: Waterloo, IA or surrounding areas; hybrid or remote opportunities available.

Requirements

Has deep experience in software-based products or platforms, with enough technical fluency to engage credibly with engineers.
Understands AI and emerging technologies—not just what’s possible, but what’s practical and valuable.
Excels at structured thinking and communication, especially when navigating ambiguity.
Brings strong influence skills and can align diverse stakeholders without formal authority.
Enjoys discovery, problem framing, and early-stage innovation as much as execution planning.
Thinks in systems—seeing dependencies, risks, data flow, and long-term scalability.
3+ years of experience in product innovation, product management, technology strategy, or a related field.
Strong understanding of modern development practices and architectures (APIs, cloud, CI/CD, microservices or modular monoliths, observability).
Strong communication skills—able to explain complex technical topics to non-technical audiences and facilitate decisions.
Proven success moving ideas from concept through feasibility and to execution.
Experience partnering with senior leaders and cross-functional teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience assessing vendors and tools (AI platforms, analytics, automation, integration middleware) preferred.
Background in SaaS, digital platforms, or technology-enabled services strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Define and evolve the technology innovation roadmap, with a strong focus on software platforms, AI-enabled capabilities, and scalable architecture.
Identify and validate new product and technology opportunities through market insight, customer needs, and internal analysis.
Partner with technology, production, and business leaders to evaluate and prioritize technology initiatives based on strategic alignment, impact, feasibility, and risk.
Provide portfolio-level insight and recommendations related to sequencing, dependencies, capacity constraints, and investment tradeoffs.
Lead discovery, concept development, and early prototyping to test feasibility before major investment.
Translate complex ideas into clear concept briefs, options, tradeoffs, and recommendations that leaders can act on.
Partner closely with Production and Engineering leaders to enable smooth handoff and early execution alignment.
Coordinate and train with marketing & sales teams to take product to launch.
Monitor the external technology landscape—AI, automation, data platforms, and emerging trends—to keep Forbin future-ready.
Build trust and influence across teams by facilitating discussion, driving clarity, and helping stakeholders reach consensus.