Director of Technology and Innovation - JOB ID# 14160

Position Summary

The Director of Technology and Innovation (DTI) serves as CREC's senior leader for technology, innovation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data systems, and digital transformation. Reporting to the Director of Operations, the DTI provides strategic vision and operational leadership for all technology systems and services across the agency while helping CREC identify and leverage emerging technologies that enhance educational services, organizational effectiveness, workforce productivity, and operational excellence.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all agency-wide technology operations, infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, and customer support services.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive technology and innovation roadmap aligned with CREC's strategic priorities.
• Develop and maintain technology governance practices, disaster recovery plans, business continuity strategies, and cybersecurity protocols.
• Monitor and evaluate technology performance metrics and customer service outcomes to drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with agency leaders to identify technology needs and opportunities that support organizational goals and service delivery.
• Research, evaluate, and recommend emerging technologies and innovative solutions that advance CREC's mission.
• Innovation, AI and Digital Transformation
  • Develop and lead CREC's enterprise strategy for innovation, artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation.
  • Identify opportunities to leverage AI and emerging technologies to improve efficiency, effectiveness, service delivery, decision-making, and educational outcomes.
  • Partner with agency leaders to redesign workflows, modernize business processes, and improve productivity through technology-enabled solutions.
  • Evaluate, pilot, and scale innovative technologies that create value for CREC and its member districts.
  • Establish frameworks and practices that promote the ethical, responsible, secure, and effective use of artificial intelligence.
  • Monitor developments in AI, automation, cybersecurity, data analytics, and emerging technologies and assess their implications for CREC.
  • Serve as executive sponsor and strategic advisor to CREC's AI Ethics and Innovation Committee and related technology governance groups.
• Leadership and Collaboration
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to advance technology and innovation initiatives.
  • Build strong partnerships with school and program leaders, technology providers, higher education institutions, governmental agencies, and professional organizations.
  • Provide leadership and guidance on technology policy, cybersecurity, data governance, and digital transformation initiatives.
  • Prepare reports, presentations, recommendations, and strategic analyses for leadership and governance groups.
  • Communicate complex technology concepts in clear, practical terms to diverse stakeholder groups.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Educational Technology, Business Technology, or a related field required. Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in technology, innovation, information systems, digital transformation, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise technology operations and supervising multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience implementing strategic technology initiatives, cybersecurity programs, and organizational technology improvements.
• Experience with artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics, or digital transformation initiatives preferred.
• Experience working within large, complex educational, governmental, nonprofit, or service-oriented organizations preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaboration, innovation, customer service, and continuous improvement.