J-1 Visa Director Of Innovation Jobs
Director of Innovation roles in the United States are accessible to international professionals through the J-1 Specialist or Research Scholar program category, both requiring a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor to issue your DS-2019. Securing sponsorship means pairing a host employer with a designated sponsor organization that approves your program.
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INTRODUCTION
Chervon is one of the world’s largest power tool and outdoor power equipment manufacturers with a rich history of innovation. Chervon’s commitment to build a better world by building better tools is evident in the products we manufacture and our green approach to manufacturing. We focus on hand-held portable power tools, stationary bench tools, laser and electronic equipment and outdoor power equipment. With world-class R&D, design, manufacturing, supply chain, marketing, sales, and service teams throughout the world, we do it all.
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Director of Sales – Hardware / Co‑Op Channel has full leadership responsibility for Chervon’s U.S. Hardware Co‑Op business, including key accounts such as Ace Hardware, Orgill, Do‑it Best, and other strategic partners. This role owns overall channel strategy, revenue growth, and profitability, and provides executive leadership to the Territory Sales Manager team and Key Account Managers selling EGO Outdoor Power Equipment and SKIL Power Tools. As a senior leader within the Hardware Channel, the Director is responsible for developing and executing strategic and operating plans, driving accurate channel forecasting, and ensuring alignment between sales execution and corporate objectives. The role partners closely with global back-end teams in Nanjing, China, as well as cross-functional North American teams including Brand, Product Management, Service, Channel Management, Marketing, Finance, and Senior Leadership.
LEADERSHIP & PEOPLE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Territory Sales Management Leadership
The Director provides strategic direction, coaching, and performance management for a team of Territory Sales Managers across assigned regions. This role is accountable for ensuring the team delivers sustainable, profitable growth through disciplined execution, effective retailer partnerships, and consistent sales processes.
Key leadership responsibilities include:
- Hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing Territory Sales Managers
- Setting clear performance expectations and sales objectives aligned to channel strategy
- Driving achievement of monthly, quarterly, and annual sales and profit targets
- Overseeing regional execution with retailers, buying groups, and multi-store hardware customers
- Ensuring consistent sales processes related to prospecting, conversions, training, merchandising, and service
- Providing coaching, field support, and performance feedback to maximize productivity and effectiveness
- Promoting efficient territory management, travel planning, and cost control
- Representing the organization at national, regional, and channel trade shows and key industry events
Key Account Leadership
The Director works in close partnership with the Key Account Managers to develop and execute long-term growth strategies for national and cooperative hardware accounts. This role ensures account strategies are aligned across Residential, Commercial and E‑Commerce channels, with a strong focus on long-term revenue, margin, and brand sustainability.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and executing comprehensive account strategies in collaboration with the VP of Sales
- Leading product line reviews, new product launches, and assortment optimization initiatives
- Building and maintaining senior-level relationships with key account decision makers
- Negotiating programs, promotions, and initiatives with major co-op partners (e.g., Ace, Orgill, Do‑it Best)
- Driving alignment across merchandising, branding, marketing, supply chain, operations, product development, and finance
- Ensuring flawless execution of store support, merchandising, and field-level programs
Strategic, Financial & Cross-Functional Accountability
The Director of Sales is accountable for channel-level performance and serves as a key contributor to enterprise planning and decision-making.
Core responsibilities include:
- Ownership of Hardware Channel P&L in coordination with supporting functions
- Development of annual strategic plans and long-range growth initiatives for key accounts
- Creating, managing, and forecasting channel and brand budgets
- Providing accurate sales forecasts and regular analysis of sell-in, wholesale, POS, inventory, and event performance
- Analyzing metrics and insights to refine strategy, investments, and execution plans
- Leading and participating in internal sales meetings, reviews, and planning sessions
- Delivering clear, data-driven reporting aligned to key performance indicators
- Driving profitable growth while ensuring alignment with corporate goals and brand strategy
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- Minimum of 5 years of forecasting experience
- Minimum of 10 years’ proven work experience in the industry
- Strong sales and people management/engagement skills
- Analytic problem solving
- Experience in hiring and growing sales in an assigned territory
- Strategic intuition and thought process expertise
- Collaborative work style
- Experienced in retail, consumer, or brand
- Strong Microsoft Suite skills, SharePoint
- Experience with CRM/Salesforce
- Excellent verbal and written presentation skills
COMPENSATION:
- The salary range for this position is $155k to $180k base salary. Offers are generally made between this range depending on skills, experience and internal equity. In some cases, highly qualified candidates may receive an offer outside of the posted range.
COMPETENCIES:
- Strong People Management Skills
- Thought leadership
- Strategic thinking
- Project planning
- Business acumen
- Personal effectiveness/credibility
- Communication proficiency
- Presentation skills
- Knowledge of the tool and outdoor power equipment industries
TRAVEL:
This position requires up to 30% travel; some weekend events; some international.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This position operates from either a remote home location or from the Naperville, IL corporate office (preferred). It also requires communication via email and video conference with international teams on a weekly basis. Chervon North America operates in a casual and fun environment. We offer a very competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision, short/long-term disability, life insurance, parental leave, a generous 401(k) match, an open PTO program and a hybrid work environment.
We think Chervon is a great place to work! Be part of our new future!
Better Tools. Better World.
Chervon North America, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, age, religion, color, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender, pregnancy, military status, order of protection status, transgender status, genetic information, or any other category protected by law.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Director Of Innovation
Align your credentials with Specialist category requirements
The J-1 Specialist category requires recognized expertise in a specialized field. Document peer-reviewed publications, patents, keynote invitations, or institutional awards that demonstrate innovation leadership beyond standard executive experience before approaching any host employer.
Identify host employers with established DS-2019 relationships
Not every employer can host a J-1 exchange visitor. Target research universities, national laboratories, and large corporations that have previously partnered with designated sponsors like IIE or Cultural Vistas to issue DS-2019 forms for senior professional roles.
Search Director of Innovation roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter U.S. employers actively listing Director of Innovation positions with J-1 visa compatibility, so you're targeting hosts already familiar with exchange visitor program requirements rather than educating employers from scratch.
Request a training plan early in negotiations
Your designated sponsor requires a detailed training plan (Form DS-7002) before issuing the DS-2019. Draft a structured 12-to-18-month innovation program outline during offer negotiations so the host employer can review and sign it without delaying your program start.
Confirm your home-country ties documentation upfront
Some J-1 Specialist and Research Scholar participants are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement. Gather evidence of professional ties, employer commitments, or government-funded sponsorship now, as consular officers commonly probe this during the visa interview.
Verify the host employer's SEVIS compliance history
Ask your designated sponsor whether your prospective host employer has hosted J-1 exchange visitors before and maintained Student and Exchange Visitor Information System reporting compliance. Gaps in a host's compliance record can delay or jeopardize your program approval.
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Find Director Of Innovation JobsDirector Of Innovation J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Director of Innovation role?
The J-1 Specialist category is the most common fit for Director of Innovation roles, covering professionals with specialized knowledge and skills in fields like technology strategy, R&D management, or organizational innovation. The Research Scholar category applies if your role centers on academic or scientific research at a university or research institution. Current students pursuing an innovation-focused internship may qualify under the Intern category instead.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for this role?
The J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as IIE, Cultural Vistas, or AIPT, not the hiring employer. The employer acts as your host, providing the work assignment and signing your training plan. The designated sponsor issues the DS-2019, monitors your program, and maintains your SEVIS record throughout your exchange visitor period.
How do I find host employers open to J-1 Director of Innovation placements?
Migrate Mate lets you filter U.S. employers listing Director of Innovation and related innovation leadership roles with J-1 visa compatibility, which is far more efficient than approaching employers cold. Focus on research universities, technology companies, and government-affiliated research centers, as these organizations most frequently have existing relationships with designated sponsors and understand the DS-2019 process.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to this role?
It can. The two-year home-country physical presence requirement applies if your J-1 program is funded by your home government or a U.S. government agency, or if your home country's government has designated your occupational category as a skill in short supply. Innovation and technology strategy roles appear on some skills lists. Confirm your specific situation with your designated sponsor before accepting a host employer's offer.
What documentation does a Director of Innovation need to prepare for J-1 Specialist eligibility?
You'll need to demonstrate recognized expertise in your field, typically through a combination of advanced degrees, published research, patents, speaking engagements, or leadership of significant innovation programs. Your designated sponsor will also require a signed training plan from the host employer outlining your program objectives, supervision structure, and knowledge-transfer goals. Gathering these materials before your host employer submits to the sponsor reduces processing delays significantly.
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