Director: Digital Innovation

About the role

The Director of Digital Innovation provides strategic leadership for the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the establishment of a robust enterprise data governance program across Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS).

Responsibilities

• Serves as the district subject matter expert on emerging AI capabilities, risks, and trends in K–12 and public sector environments.
• Partners with curriculum, teaching & learning, and school leadership to support evidenced-based, appropriate instructional uses of AI and emerging technologies and tools.
• Establishes safe, responsible, equitable, and ethical AI practices, including transparency, bias mitigation, privacy protections, and model oversight, consistent with government AI accountability and governance frameworks.
• Coordinates governance of data used by AI solutions to ensure accuracy, integrity, security, and compliance with FERPA, COPPA, and other applicable regulations.
• Maintain data literacy and a culture of responsible data use throughout the organization.
• Makes decisions about emerging technologies with potential value to K 12 education and district operations.
• Designs, implements, and oversees AACPS’s enterprise data governance framework, including policies, standards, roles, and operating procedures.
• Collaborates with procurement and legal teams on vendor evaluation, contract language, and compliance related to AI and data usage.
• Provides clear guidance and communication to executive leadership on emerging technology risks, opportunities, and readiness.
• Develops policies, standards, and executive briefings related to AI and data governance.
• Chairs or supports cross-functional governance bodies related to AI, data, and digital innovation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems, Data Science, Computer Science, Public Administration, Education Technology, or a related field of education from a regionally accredited college or university required;
• Master's Degree in a related field of education from a regionally accredited college or university preferred;
• Experience: Ten (10) years relevant professional experience as a systems administrator or equivalent role, including experience in the design, implementation, administration, and operational support of Microsoft enterprise technologies in a large-scale environment; must include at least three (3) years implementing Microsoft Enterprise Security Solutions (e.g., Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Sentinel, Entra ID, Microsoft Purview, and related security and compliance platforms) required;
• Seven (7) years related experience in a supervisory or management role with responsibility for leading technical teams, overseeing enterprise security or data governance initiatives, and managing staff, projects, and budgets required;
• Three (3) years relevant experience designing, implementing, and managing enterprise data classification, data protection, and data governance solutions, including hands-on experience with Microsoft Purview (Information Protection, Data Loss Prevention, Records Management) or equivalent non-Microsoft data classification and governance platforms required;
• Three (3) years relevant experience leading or implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions and enterprise data governance programs in regulated environments, ensuring alignment with privacy, cybersecurity, and compliance frameworks preferred;
• Three (3) years related experience in K–12 school systems, higher education, or government organizations, with demonstrated understanding of public-sector compliance, student data privacy, and regulatory requirements preferred.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of data privacy, security, and compliance requirements relevant to K 12 education.
• Experience leading innovation programs, AI pilots, or enterprise digital transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team environment.
• Demonstrated problem solving abilities.
• Demonstrated project management skills and ability to successfully manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work and communicate with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business technology applications (e.g. Video/Web Conferencing, Microsoft Office Suite -Word, Excel, Outlook, and/or PowerPoint preferred).

Skills

• Professional certifications in data governance, analytics, AI, or information technology (e.g., CDMP, PMP, ITIL, cloud or data certifications) preferred.

Benefits

Commensurate with experience.

Pay

TBD

Schedule

TBD