Program Director - Emerging Innovations Group (EIG)

Corning Inc.; City of Corning (NY); On-site; USD 215,000 - 296,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

401(k) match

Health benefits

Parental leave

Paid time off

Recognition program

Disability insurance

Job summary

Corning is seeking a Program Director to lead a high-visibility strategic innovation program within the Emerging Innovations Group (EIG), taking ideas from concept to profitability with full P&L responsibility.

You will coordinate across technology, manufacturing, and commercial functions, drive roadmaps and business cases, and build cross-functional teams to deliver breakthrough growth in a Fortune 500 setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Business, or related field.
• 10+ years of program leadership, innovation, product management, manufacturing, business development, strategy, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives in a matrixed organization.
• Proven business acumen with ability to evaluate technical, operational, commercial, and financial tradeoffs.
• Advanced degree (MBA, MS, PhD, or equivalent).
• Experience leading teams in a start-up or early-stage commercial environment.
• Background spanning technology, manufacturing, and commercial organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to engage credibly with technical teams and translate insights into strategy and decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead a cross-functional innovation team from concept through commercialization readiness.
• Serve as the integration point across technology, manufacturing, and commercial functions to align priorities and resources.
• Develop and execute program strategies, roadmaps, and business cases for long-term growth.
• Build understanding of customer needs, market opportunities, and manufacturing requirements to steer direction.
• Define objectives, organize workstreams, measure performance, and drive results.
• Foster relationships with customers and partners to validate opportunities and accelerate growth.
• Communicate progress, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Develop team capability through coaching and leadership development.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic thinking

Program management

Financial acumen

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Business, or related

Advanced degree (MBA, MS, PhD, or equivalent)

Job description

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Program Director - Emerging Innovations Group (EIG)

Date: Oct 28, 2026

Location: Corning, NY, US, 14831

Company: Corning

Requisition Number: 78348

The company built on breakthroughs.
Join us.

Corning is one of the world’s leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what’s possible.

How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations– not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company,and the world, forward.

At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more.

Come break through with us.

Corning’s businesses are ever-evolving to best serve our customers, industries, and consumers. Today, we accelerate and transform life sciences, mobile consumer electronics, optical communications, display, automotive, and solar markets. We are changing the world with:

• Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives
• Damage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected
• Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at the speed of light
• Precision glass for advanced displays to deliver richer experiences
• Auto glass and ceramics to drive cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation
• Solar polysilicon, wafers, and innovative photovoltaic modules, enabling low-cost solar energy solutions

Overview

The Emerging Innovations Group (EIG) at Corning creates the company's next generation of growth businesses — transforming breakthrough technologies into scalable commercial opportunities. We are seeking a Program Director to lead a high-visibility strategic innovation program from initial customer demonstration to profitability, serving as the primary integration point across technology, manufacturing, and commercial functions, with full profit and loss (P&L) responsibility. This role combines strategic thinking, business leadership, and operational execution to deliver business outcomes in a start-up environment with the financial backing of a well-capitalized Fortune 500 company.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a cross-functional innovation team to advance new products, platforms, and business opportunities from concept through commercialization readiness
• Serve as the integration point across technology, manufacturing, commercial, and other functions to align priorities, resources, and decision-making
• Develop and execute program strategies, roadmaps, resource plans, and business cases that support long-term growth objectives
• Build a deep understanding of customer needs, market opportunities, technical capabilities, manufacturing requirements, and business economics to guide program direction
• Define business objectives, organize workstreams to reduce risk, measure and track performance, and drive results across a cross-functional team
• Foster strong relationships with customers, business partners, and internal stakeholders to validate opportunities and accelerate business growth
• Communicate program progress, risks, decisions, and recommendations to senior leadership
• Build team capability through coaching, development, and continuous learning, while actively investing in your own growth and leadership effectiveness

Experiences/Education - Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Business, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in program leadership, innovation, product management, manufacturing, business development, strategy, or a related discipline
• Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives in a matrixed organization
• Proven business acumen with the ability to evaluate technical, operational, commercial, and financial tradeoffs
• Advanced degree (MBA, MS, PhD, or equivalent)
• Experience leading teams in a start-up or early-stage commercial environment
• Background spanning technology, manufacturing, and commercial organizations
• Demonstrated ability to engage credibly with technical teams and translate technical insights into program strategy and business decisions

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $215,358.00-$296,117.00 assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.

A job that shapes a life.

Corning offers you the total package.

Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.

Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win.

As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career. Combined with matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan, Corning’s total contributions to your retirement accounts can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on your age and years of service.

Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.

Getting paid for our work is important, but feeling appreciated and recognized for those contributions motivates us much more. That’s why Corning offers a recognition program to celebrate successes and reward colleagues who make exceptional contributions.

We prohibit discrimination on the basisofrace, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability,veteran status or any other legally protected status.

Corning is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and considers requests for reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other benefits and privileges of employment. To submit a request for reasonable accommodation related to disability or religion, please contact us at [e-mail] .