Innovation Automation Specialist

At Stantec, we have some of the world’s leading professionals passionate about enabling our business to be its best. Our business teams include finance, procurement, human resources, information technology, marketing, corporate development, HSSE, real estate, legal, and practice services. We bring diverse backgrounds, skills, and expertise and create a caring culture where everyone can thrive. Through teamwork and collaboration, we’re building a stronger, more resilient Stantec every day.

Your Opportunity As the Innovation Automation & AI Workflows Specialist within Stantec's Innovation Program, you will design, build, and implement intelligent automation systems that power our enterprise innovation infrastructure. Reporting to the Innovation Programs Leader, you will transform how innovation flows through Stantec—from idea intake through Discovery, Prototyping, and MVP stages—by creating AI-enabled workflows, automated governance processes, and data-driven decision support systems that scale innovation across a global organization of 35,000+ employees. This role sits at the intersection of innovation strategy and operational execution. You will work closely with the Innovation Office, Digital Center of Excellence (DCoE), and Innovation Leaders to translate innovation intent into repeatable, scalable systems. Your work will directly impact how Stantec evaluates hundreds of innovation submissions annually, manages millions of dollars in active grant funding, supports evidence-based stage-gate reviews, and generates actionable intelligence from our innovation portfolio. You must bring hands-on expertise in workflow automation, AI systems implementation, business process digitization, and data analytics. This is not a strategy or advisory role—you will be responsible for building and deploying production-ready automation solutions using Microsoft Power Platform, creating AI agents and for innovation workflows, designing intelligent intake and triage systems, automating reporting and dashboarding, and continuously improving the operational backbone of Stantec's innovation ecosystem. This position offers the opportunity to work on high-impact problems in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where your technical skills directly enable organizational transformation. You will be part of a small, highly collaborative team working across North with exposure to senior leadership, enterprise digital strategy, and cutting-edge applied AI use cases. Your Key Responsibilities Innovation Workflow Automation & Digitization

• Design and implement end-to-end automated workflows for the Idea Machine intake process, including intelligent triage, applicant notifications, coach assignment, and progression tracking across Discovery, Prototyping, and MVP stages
• Build and maintain online application forms, dynamic review systems, and approval routing using Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI)
• Automate funding lifecycle management including project setup, budget tracking, milestone monitoring, financial reporting, and closeout procedures for hundreds of active innovation projects
• Create automated governance workflows for stage-gate reviews, Innovation Leader evaluations, and escalation protocols
• Develop intelligent notification and reminder systems to support applicants, coaches, Innovation Leaders, and program administrators throughout the innovation lifecycle

AI-Enabled Innovation Processes

• Design and deploy AI agents to support innovation program operations, including: intake triage and classification, applicant guidance and Q&A, assumptions log generation, business case analysis support, and knowledge synthesis from program documentation
• Implement CoPilot to analyze innovation submissions, extract key themes, identify synergies across projects, and surface insights for portfolio management
• Build AI-powered search and retrieval systems to connect applicants with relevant prior projects, subject matter experts, playbooks, templates, and organizational knowledge
• Create systems to support portfolio analysis, predict project success factors, and optimize resource allocation recommendations
• Develop AI workflows for report generation, documentation summarization, and templated content creation (pitch decks, business cases, final reports)

Data Analytics, Dashboarding & Reporting

• Design and build Power BI dashboards and analytics platforms to provide real-time visibility into innovation program performance, including submission trends, funding allocation, stage progression rates, time-to-decision metrics, portfolio composition, and ROI tracking
• Create executive-level reporting systems for Innovation Leaders, C&I program leadership, and senior management with automated data refresh and visualization
• Develop data models and taxonomies to enable consistent tracking, querying, and analysis across the innovation portfolio
• Implement automated KPI tracking and alerting systems to monitor program health, identify bottlenecks, and flag at-risk projects
• Build analytics capabilities to evaluate program effectiveness, measure applicant experience, and generate evidence-based recommendations for continuous improvement

System Integration & Data Management

• Integrate innovation program systems with existing enterprise platforms including SharePoint, Microsoft 365, Planner, project management systems, financial systems, and collaboration tools
• Design and maintain centralized data repositories for innovation program assets including applications, business cases, playbooks, templates, project documentation, and evaluation records
• Ensure data integrity and compliance across all innovation program systems

Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Continuously assess and optimize innovation program workflows based on user feedback, performance data, and emerging best practices
• Partner with Innovation Office staff, coaches, and Innovation Leaders to identify automation opportunities and translate operational pain points into technical requirements
• Document system architectures, technical specifications, user guides, and standard operating procedures
• Provide training and support to program administrators, coaches, and applicants on new tools and workflows
• Stay current with emerging automation technologies, AI capabilities, and digital workflow best practices relevant to innovation program management

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Proven hands-on experience designing, building, and deploying workflow automation solutions using Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI) in production enterprise environments
• Demonstrated experience implementing AI-enabled systems including custom copilots, AI agents, chatbots, or intelligent automation using Azure AI, Azure OpenAI Service, Microsoft Copilot Studio, or similar platforms
• Strong proficiency with data modeling, database design, and working with Microsoft Dataverse, SharePoint, SQL databases, or similar enterprise data platforms
• Experience building dashboards and analytics solutions using Power BI, including data visualization, DAX, data modeling, and automated reporting
• Solid understanding of business process analysis, requirements gathering, system design, and user experience principles
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 ecosystem including SharePoint Online, Microsoft Forms, Planner, Teams integration, and related collaboration tools
• Demonstrated track record of building and deploying automation solutions that measurably improved operational efficiency, user experience, or decision-making quality
• Experience working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments requiring independent problem-solving, prioritization, and iterative development
• Proven ability to translate business requirements from non-technical stakeholders into effective technical solutions
• Exceptional ability to work independently with general supervision while proactively seeking input and collaboration when needed
• Strong customer service orientation with ability to understand and anticipate user needs
• Independent thinking and sound judgment; able to make decisions and take action based on available facts and organizational context
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences and document systems clearly
• Collaborative mindset with ability to build effective working relationships across organizational boundaries

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Stantec's Innovation program, Innovation Office, or similar enterprise innovation programs
• Experience working in professional services, engineering, architecture, consulting, or knowledge-intensive industries
• Background in technology consulting, business analysis, or digital transformation consulting
• Certifications in Microsoft Power Platform, Azure AI, data analytics, or related technical areas
• Experience with innovation management platforms, project portfolio management (PPM) tools, or grant management systems
• Understanding of stage-gate processes, lean innovation methodologies, design thinking, or evidence-based evaluation frameworks

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field with minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience in workflow automation, AI implementation, or digital systems development.
• 5-7 years of professional experience in workflow automation, business process digitization, or digital transformation roles with hands-on implementation responsibilities
• Background working with innovation programs, grant management systems, project portfolio management, or similar enterprise program administration is highly desirable

Work Environment This is a hybrid role based in Denver, CO (or potentially other Stantec locations based on candidate location) with flexibility for remote work while maintaining regular collaboration with the Innovation Office team and stakeholders across North America. Standard office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Occasional travel may be required for in-person collaboration, training sessions, or program events (estimated <10% annually). Flexibility to work across time zones to support global teams in Latin America, Quebec, and other regions may be required periodically.

Pay Range: • Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & Various CA, NJ Areas-$94,300.00 - $136,700.00 AnnuallyPay Transparency: In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.Benefits Summary: Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full-time and part-time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).

Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.

The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements Primary Location: United States | CO | Denver Organization: BC-2258 Innovation-US United States Employee Status: Regular Business Justification: New Position Travel: No Schedule: Full time Job Posting: 01/06/2026 02:06:59 Req ID: 1006095

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.