Who is the Innovation Manager: Profession, Skills, Opportunities
10 March 2025In a rapidly changing and continuously evolving job market, characterized by innovative technologies and increasingly competitive market dynamics, the Innovation Manager plays a crucial role for companies that want t to stay abreast of future challenges. But what exactly does an innovation manager do? How does one become a professional in this field? What are the economic and professional prospects linked to this role?
An Innovation Manager is a professional responsible for managing and coordinating innovation processes within an organization, with the goal of improving competitiveness by introducing new ideas, technologies, and business models.
The main activities of an Innovation Manager include identifying innovation opportunities, managing innovative projects, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and promoting a culture of innovation.
They also handle finding funding and incentives for initiatives aimed at steering the company toward the future.
In short, their role is to translate ideas into concrete solutions that promote growth and transformation within the company: they are the engine of change within the business.
How much does an Innovation Manager earn?
The salary of an Innovation Manager depending on experience, industry, and company size. On average, in Italy, a junior professional can earn between €35,000 and €60,000 annually, while a senior with extensive experience can exceed €80,000. The ceiling is even higher in international companies or those involved in very innovative sectors, such as new technologies or finance.
How do you become an Innovation Manager?
To become an Innovation Manager, it is possible to take specific training courses that attest to the skills acquired. In Italy, there are various nationally and internationally recognized certifications, issued by universities and academic institutions.
While there is no professional register for this role, some companies require certifications to access public incentives or to ensure expertise and competence in the field. A certification offers numerous benefits, including increased visibility, career advancement opportunities, and access to tax incentives for the company.
Bologna Business School is a leader in training programs focused on business management, new technologies, digital transformation, design thinking, creativity, leadership, and management: skills essential for managers who want to guide companies on an innovation-focused path.
Among the many courses offered, the most relevant for those seeking to pursue this career are the Master in Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Management, a full-time 1500-hour program in English, covering software programming, databases, SQL, statistics, accounting, and finance over 12 months; and the Executive Master in Technology and Innovation Management (EMTIM), a part-time, weekend 12-month program in Italian, designed to train professionals capable of managing technological innovation and addressing technical and managerial issues.
Also offered is the Executive Master in Artificial Intelligence for Business, a 12-month, part-time hybrid program in English, aimed at professionals looking to acquire a strong skill set to harness the potential of AI in the business context.
The internship at the end of each program, along with the international faculty and powerful global network of the School, ensures preferential entry into the business world.
As with all areas of study offered by the School, BBS also offers specialized, vertical courses focusing on specific themes.
The Open Program in Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI, a part-time on-campus course in Italian lasting 5 days, is designed to provide a deep, practical understanding of how generative AI can be integrated into business processes to enhance productivity and accelerate innovation.
The Open Program in Technology & Innovation Management, part-time on-campus in Italian and lasting 8 days, focuses on acquiring the necessary skills to systematically address strategic, organizational, and operational issues related to innovation management.
Becoming an Innovation Manager means being at the forefront of change and technological evolution in businesses.
Bologna aims to become the Italian reference for the AI world, thanks to its Tecnopolo, home of the Leonardo supercomputer, and CINECA, an inter-university consortium and Italy’s leading supercomputing center for scientific research. Since 2023, the city has hosted AI FAIR, the first international fair on Artificial Intelligence.
Today, the training programs of Bologna Business School, also thanks to its connection with the city, its University (the oldest in the world), and the global BBS network, provide a preferred gateway to the world of innovations, a door open to the international business world.
