Head of Innovation – Infrastructure Protection & Repair (IPR)

Head of Innovation – Infrastructure Protection & Repair (IPR)
Houston, TX (Relocation available)
Confidential Global Industry Leader (Manufacturing & Advanced Materials)
Represented by Northwest Talent Solutions (NWTS)

Shape the Future of Global Innovation...

Northwest Talent Solutions is partnering with a global leader in advanced materials, adhesives, coatings, and infrastructure protection technologies to identify a Head of Innovation who will define the next era of industrial solutions.

This is not a maintenance role—this is a build, integrate, and lead mandate.

You will unify global R&D teams, drive a high-impact innovation strategy, and lead the development of market-shaping technologies across coatings, composites, corrosion protection, and structural solutions.

What You'll Lead:

• Global Innovation Strategy: Define and execute the roadmap for next-generation infrastructure protection & repair solutions
• Team Integration: Bring together global technical teams into a unified, high-performing innovation organization
• Portfolio Leadership: Own and prioritize a complex product & technology pipeline aligned to commercial impact
• People Leadership: Lead, coach, and elevate ~35 scientists, engineers, and technical experts across regions
• Customer & Market Impact: Partner directly with customers on critical applications and breakthrough solutions
• External Partnerships: Collaborate with research institutions, suppliers, and industry leaders to accelerate innovation
• Culture Building: Establish a high-trust, performance-driven technical environment during transformation

What You Bring:

• 10+ years in adhesives, coatings, sealants, composites, or protective technologies
• Proven leadership of large, global technical/R&D teams (15–35+)
• Experience driving organizational transformation or integration
• Strong product development and commercialization mindset
• Ability to connect innovation strategy to measurable business outcomes
• Advanced degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field

Why This Role:

• True enterprise impact – lead innovation across a globally recognized portfolio
• Build vs. inherit – shape the structure, culture, and direction of a unified innovation function
• Direct influence – work at the intersection of R&D, commercial strategy, and customer success
• Global visibility – partner across regions and executive stakeholders

Why Work With NWTS:

Northwest Talent Solutions is a precision search partner, not a volume recruiter.

• Top-tier access: We engage high-impact innovation leaders not actively on the market
• Speed + quality: Initial, highly calibrated pipeline delivered within days
• Deep calibration: We align tightly to technical, leadership, and cultural requirements—resulting in high interview conversion rates
• High-touch experience: Discreet, strategic engagement throughout the process

We are exclusively representing this opportunity and will guide you through every step with transparency and speed.

If you're ready to lead global innovation, unify teams, and deliver technologies that shape industries, we want to speak with you.

Apply directly or message for a confidential discussion.

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