What will you do? 

The Principal, Enterprise Innovation Program Manager (Special Projects) leads high impact, cross functional initiatives that accelerate VF Corp’s next wave of growth. Reporting to the VP, Enterprise Innovation, this role drives end-to-end delivery across complex, ambiguous workstreams that may include product special projects (footwear, apparel, and equipment), new product platforms, AI-enabled business solutions, digital capabilities, and emerging innovation bets.

This role partners closely with leaders across Brand, Product, Digital, Technology, Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, and regional teams to move concepts from validation to scaling and commercialization. The Principal shapes decisions through clear recommendations, investment inputs, and tradeoff framing, and ensures teams have the plans, governance, and operating cadence required to deliver results.

Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more. 

• Lead a set of enterprise innovation special projects, setting priorities, sequencing work, and ensuring measurable outcomes

• Establish program-level governance (cadence, forums, decision rights, escalation paths) and ensure alignment to strategy and business priorities

• Translate ambiguity into delivery plans with clear objectives, milestones, dependencies, and success metrics

• Drive cross‑functional alignment across brands, regions, and functions; influence without authority to drive decisions and accountability

• Partner with Finance and functional teams to develop business case inputs, define success measures, and support funding/resource planning

• Drive execution across initiatives spanning product special projects (footwear, apparel, and equipment), new product development, AI-enabled tools/services, and new business models, ensuring readiness to scale

• Manage risks, issues, and interdependencies; lead mitigation strategies and scenario planning

• Create and deliver leadership‑ready updates, recommendations, and decision materials for program stakeholders and governance forums

• Manage external partners (vendors, startups, agencies, consultants) to accelerate discovery and delivery as needed

• Contribute to innovation best practices by creating playbooks, templates, and lessons learned; mentor project/program leads and peers

• Demonstrated success driving strategic initiatives from concept through launch and scale enablement

• Proven ability to influence and align Sr. Manager/VP-level stakeholders, including facilitating trade-offs and decision-making in ambiguous environments

• Experience developing business case inputs, defining value creation, and managing delivery against outcomes

• Familiarity with innovation and commercialization across new product development, digital platforms, and emerging technology initiatives (including AI/data-enabled solutions)

• Track record of establishing strong delivery practices (plans, operating rhythms, reporting) across multi-workstream efforts

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complexity into clear narratives and recommendations

• Experience leading teams directly and/or through influence; ability to coach and develop talent on project teams

• Experience working with global teams across multiple time zones and cultures

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred

• PMP, Agile, Lean, or equivalent certifications a plus

• Special projects deliver against defined objectives with clear governance, milestones, and stakeholder alignment

• Leaders have consistent visibility into progress, dependencies, risks, and decisions—enabling timely course correction

• Programs progress beyond pilots and proofs of concept, with clear scale requirements and operational handoffs defined

• Business case inputs and success measures are well-defined, and initiatives track measurable value (growth, margin, productivity, customer experience)

• Teams adopt repeatable practices (playbooks, templates, lessons learned) that increase speed and consistency across innovation delivery

Hiring Range:

Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.

Benefits at VF Corporation: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com  and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.

Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.