Engagement Manager

About Us

We are a strategy and innovation consultancy that helps organizations thrive in the face of change. Thorny problems are our strong suit.

We’re a team of consultants who are energized by big, messy problems. We are strategists, analysts, designers, and editors who bring agility and flexibility to projects focused on stemming chronic disease, closing the skills gap, rethinking the future of work, supporting digital transformations, using data to make smart cities safer, developing sustainable business models, and making moonshot investments.

We help companies thrive in the face of change. Our clients are “innovation mavericks” — leaders inside global corporations, nonprofits, and federal agencies who are tasked with helping their organizations adapt to the technological, economic, political, and social norms of the 21st century. We’re the strategy and innovation consultants they call when there’s no playbook for the problem they’re trying to solve.

Our open innovation practice was established in 2011. We are particularly focused on open innovation for impact, making use of incentive prize mechanisms to accelerate innovations such as artificial organs (Artificial Kidney Prize), early biothreat detection (DHS Hidden Signals Challenge), access to career and technical education (the Ed Prizes challenge series), and improving our understanding of Earth’s magnetism (NGA MagQuest).

We have an equal appreciation for strategy and execution. We offer our clients the upfront thinking that goes into careful strategy development and can become partners in execution to ensure those strategies are implemented.

We believe that career choices are not binary; you can have a challenging and rewarding career as part of a high-performing team and also live your life. Our clients appreciate that we bring the highest level of excellence to everything we do, and our team appreciates that we are extraordinarily efficient so that you aren’t expected to be online later.

Please note: for employment at Luminary Labs, you must be fully vaccinated (including booster) for COVID-19 to ensure compliance with enhanced health and safety protocols.

We are not actively hiring for this role at the moment; however, given the fast-paced nature of our work, our hiring needs can change quickly. We collect applications on a rolling basis, so if you’re interested in this or other roles at Luminary Labs, we encourage you to apply. If your background and skillset are a fit, we’ll reach out and provide more information on anticipated timing.

The Role

Luminary Labs seeks an experienced consultant to lead teams in the development and execution of highly innovative programs for our Fortune 500, nonprofit, and government clients.

About You

You are known for your consulting chops and strong client EQ, having worked with and for leaders as a trusted advisor across numerous industries. You have experience implementing high-profile and large-scale programs. You have incredible attention to detail and can build and run a project plan in your sleep.

You are enthusiastic about open innovation and the broad playing field it provides. You care about the impact your work has on the world and have been looking for a career path that is both high-performance and high-impact. You are passionate about working at the intersection of emerging technologies and the problems that matter.

You are a leader who empowers your team to achieve excellence. You know how to give regular feedback and effectively delegate. People love working with you, and for you.

Role and Responsibilities

• Serve as a client advisor. Earn respect and trust of our corporate, nonprofit, and government clients. Know the conditions for success and persevere to make change happen in large organizations.
• Lead the vision. Bring transformative thinking to our clients, while understanding the conditions for success within their environments. Translate said thinking into tangible programs that meet client goals.
• Lead the team. Serve as the ultimate owner of all project deliverables including project plan, content, format and storytelling. Work closely with your multidisciplinary team to ensure flawless execution, staying on top of the many moving pieces.
• Connect the dots. Have your finger on the pulse of your clients’ industries, including the role of incumbents and newcomers. Identify key nodes in any given industry network, participate in industry events, stay abreast of relevant news and trends, and tap into the network to drive value for our clients.
• Drive business growth. Lead the development of new business proposals and pitches and deepen value with existing clients. Support company growth by participating in the ongoing recruitment of talent.

Desired Skills and Experience

• MBA or equivalent experience
• 6-8+ years experience working with clients who trust you implicitly
• Proven leader who knows how to build and inspire a team; passionate about the career trajectory of those around you
• Early adopter of emerging technology for networking and intelligence gathering
• Are super-flexible, adaptable, realistic, practical, and agile
• Thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment

Investing in our people is a high priority. Benefits include:

• Competitive compensation and formal bonus structure
• Health benefits package (80% of premium is covered for health, dental, and vision)
• Competitive vacation package
• Paid family leave
• 401k plan with matching
• Pre-tax transit check
• Cell-phone reimbursement
• Fitness reimbursement
• Education stipend and growth opportunities
• Charitable donation matching
• Opportunities to mentor and be mentored

Does this sound like you?

Please submit your resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, show us three examples of ideas, companies, or teams that you consider to be at the forefront of innovation. Let us know your availability for employment. If available, also send us examples of your own work or thinking online (blog posts, Slideshare examples).

Candidates must be authorized to work in the US. No agencies please.

The total compensation package for this role includes a base salary in the range of $125,000 to $150,000 plus a discretionary annual performance bonus. The starting salary for this role is at the lower bound of the salary range; an individual's starting salary will depend on the individual’s relevant knowledge, skills, and experience.