Senior Director, Innovation – Office of AI & Innovation

About Gap Inc.

Our brands bridge the gaps we see in the world. Old Navy democratizes style to ensure everyone has access to quality fashion at every price point. Athleta unleashes the potential of every woman, regardless of body size, age or ethnicity. Banana Republic believes in sustainable luxury for all. And Gap inspires the world to bring individuality to modern, responsibly made essentials.     

This simple idea—that we all deserve to belong, and on our own terms—is core to who we are as a company and how we make decisions. Our team is made up of thousands of people across the globe who take risks, think big, and do good for our customers, communities, and the planet. Ready to  learn fast, create with audacity and lead boldly? Join our team.

About the Role

We are seeking an accomplished Senior Director, Innovation to lead strategic innovation initiatives across Gap Inc., including our corporate entity and our family of brands. This senior leadership role will drive the strategic vision, execution, and integration of innovative technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to transform our creative, operational, and strategic capabilities. Reporting into the Office of AI & Innovation, you will manage executive relationships, oversee vendor partnerships, define and champion policy and process, and drive impactful innovations from concept to deployment, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

What You'll Do

Who You Are

• A seasoned innovation leader with extensive experience in executive management, product and program leadership, strategy formulation, and advanced technology integration within retail, fashion, media, entertainment, or related industries.
• Skilled in managing innovation processes including POCs, strategic partnerships, contracting, and vendor management.
• Experienced in fostering a culture of continuous learning, design thinking, experimentation, and agility.
• Highly effective at cross-functional leadership, capable of building consensus and alignment among executives, managers, creative teams, and technology providers.
• A tinkerer at heart, always interested in experimenting and learning on the bleeding edge of technology.
• Biased for action, pushing on those around you to make progress, even when blocked on all fronts. 
• Adept at translating complex technological strategies into clear executive-level communications, presentations, and actionable roadmaps.
• Connected to the venture capital / startup community with existing relationships you can leverage.
• Passionate about the ethical application of AI and advanced technologies, with strong awareness of innovation governance, policy, and compliance frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Innovation Leadership

• Lead and manage executive strategy planning sessions, aligning innovation initiatives with Gap Inc.’s strategic goals.
• Develop executive-level presentations, strategy decks, and status reports, clearly communicating innovation objectives and outcomes.

Innovation Program & Product Management

• Oversee innovation product development, from ideation and requirements gathering through experimentation and deployment.
• Manage proofs-of-concept (POCs), experimentation timelines, and evaluation frameworks.

Cross-functional & External Collaboration

• Conduct alignment meetings with middle management and cross-functional teams to integrate innovation strategies effectively.
• Attend and contribute to conferences and external education forums, staying abreast of emerging trends.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with key vendors, partners, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and advisory groups.

Governance & Policy Development

• In partnership with business partners, develop and enforce policies and governance frameworks guiding the responsible use and deployment of AI and emerging technologies.
• Manage contracting processes, approvals, and ensure compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.

Capability Building & Education

• Lead internal educational sessions, workshops, and roadshows to promote a culture of innovation.
• Design and deliver comprehensive learning programs tailored to various stakeholder groups, ensuring effective adoption of innovations.

Research & Experimentation

• Direct strategic research initiatives to identify new technology trends and innovative opportunities.
• Facilitate experimentation time and design thinking sessions to validate new concepts and solutions.

Communications & Change Management

• Develop robust communication strategies and manage change initiatives to ensure broad adoption and integration of innovations.
• Provide advisory services, support the development of clear innovation narratives, and promote organizational buy-in.

Who You Are

• Exceptional strategic planning and executive management capabilities.
• Demonstrated success in program and product management, particularly around emerging technologies and AI integration.
• Expertise in design thinking, requirements gathering, experimentation, and prototyping.
• Strong skills in contract negotiation, vendor management, and partnership cultivation.
• Advanced communication and executive presentation abilities.
• Proven ability to drive education initiatives, capability building, and adoption of innovative solutions.

Benefits at Gap Inc.

• Merchandise discount for our brands: 50% off regular-priced merchandise at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, and 30% off at Outlet for all employees.
• One of the most competitive Paid Time Off plans in the industry.*
• Employees can take up to five “on the clock” hours each month to volunteer at a charity of their choice.*
• Extensive 401(k) plan with company matching for contributions up to four percent of an employee’s base pay.*
• Employee stock purchase plan.*
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance.*
• See more of the benefits we offer.

*For eligible employees