Executive Director of Strategic Innovation and Digital Transformation

About the role

The Executive Director of Strategic Innovation and Digital Transformation serves as a visionary and transformational leader responsible for advancing the district's strategic priorities through innovation, technology integration, systems thinking, and future-focused instructional design.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the district's digital transformation and innovation agenda aligned to the Superintendent's vision, district strategic plan, and instructional priorities.
• Design, implement, and continuously refine a districtwide framework for innovative teaching and learning that promotes student agency, authentic learning experiences, personalized pathways, and future-readiness.
• Lead systemic innovation initiatives that support deeper learning competencies, interdisciplinary instruction, project-based learning, competency-based education, and college and career readiness.
• Establish and maintain a culture of innovation that encourages calculated risk-taking, continuous improvement, creativity, collaboration, and responsiveness to emerging educational trends and technologies.
• Serve as a key advisor to the Chief Academic Officer and Executive Leadership Team regarding instructional innovation, emerging technologies, digital transformation strategies, and organizational change management.
• Develop short- and long-term strategic plans that integrate instructional technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital learning into districtwide academic priorities.
• Monitor national, state, and international educational trends, research, and emerging technologies to ensure the district remains forward-thinking and competitive.
• Facilitate strategic planning processes related to digital learning, innovation ecosystems, and future-focused instructional design.
• Promote equity-centered innovation practices that eliminate digital access gaps and ensure all students have meaningful opportunities to engage in transformative learning experiences.
• Promote innovation through partnerships with higher education institutions, industry leaders, community organizations, and educational agencies.
• Lead the district's digital transformation initiatives to ensure instructional technology meaningfully enhances student learning, engagement, and achievement.
• Collaborate closely with the Information Technology Department to align infrastructure, systems, cybersecurity practices, and instructional platforms with educational priorities and classroom needs.
• Oversee the implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of instructional technology systems, digital platforms, learning management systems, and emerging educational technologies.
• Ensure technology integration initiatives move beyond substitution practices toward transformative instructional models that enhance critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication.
• Develop and maintain district standards, procedures, and best practices for instructional technology integration and digital learning environments.
• Lead districtwide efforts related to digital citizenship, cybersecurity awareness, media literacy, online safety, and ethical technology use.
• Utilize data analytics and performance metrics to evaluate the impact of innovation initiatives and instructional technology implementation on student achievement and instructional effectiveness.
• Collaborate with assessment and accountability teams to monitor the effectiveness of innovative instructional initiatives and measure student growth outcomes.
• Support schools in leveraging technology to personalize learning experiences and improve instructional differentiation.
• Collaborate with curriculum and instructional leaders to align innovative practices with academic standards, instructional frameworks, and district curriculum initiatives.
• Support principals and school leadership teams in creating innovative school cultures that prioritize student-centered instructional practices and continuous improvement.
• Promote instructional models that integrate inquiry-based learning, experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world problem-solving.
• Lead pilot programs and innovation labs designed to test, evaluate, and scale promising educational practices.
• Ensure all innovation initiatives support equitable academic opportunities and culturally responsive teaching practices.
• Collaborate with assessment and accountability teams to monitor the effectiveness of innovative instructional initiatives and measure student growth outcomes.
• Support district efforts related to future-ready learning environments, competency development, and workforce preparedness.
• Design and implement a comprehensive professional learning strategy focused on instructional innovation, digital transformation, and future-ready instructional practices.
• Build internal leadership capacity by identifying, mentoring, and supporting teacher leaders, innovation champions, and early adopters across the district.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director of Professional Learning to ensure sustained and job-embedded professional development opportunities for all staff.
• Develop systems that support collaborative learning communities focused on innovation, instructional technology integration, and transformational teaching practices.
• Provide coaching and consultation to district and school leaders regarding organizational change management and innovation implementation.
• Facilitate districtwide training related to emerging technologies, digital instructional practices, artificial intelligence applications, and technology-enhanced pedagogy.
• Support staff in developing digital fluency, instructional adaptability, and competencies necessary to thrive in evolving learning environments.
• Foster a culture of reflective practice, experimentation, and continuous professional growth.
• Serve as the primary liaison among Academic Services, Information Technology, School Leadership, Professional Learning, Communications, and other departments to ensure alignment and coherence of initiatives.
• Collaborate with district leaders to ensure operational systems support instructional innovation goals.
• Develop and manage project timelines, implementation plans, communication strategies, and accountability structures for major district initiatives.
• Aid in the development and administration of budgets related to innovation initiatives, instructional technology, grants, and digital transformation projects.
• Identify and pursue external funding opportunities, grants, and partnerships to support district innovation priorities.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and strategic updates for the Superintendent, School Board, community stakeholders, and district leadership teams.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to educational technology, student privacy, accessibility, and digital learning requirements.

  Qualifications

  • Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, Instructional Technology, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Administration, or a related field required.
  • Doctorate preferred.
  • Valid Pennsylvania Principal Certificate or Administrative/Supervisory Certificate required.
  • Minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of successful educational experience required.
  • Minimum of five (5) years of effective classroom teaching experience required.
  • Significant district-level leadership, administrative, supervisory, or instructional coaching experience preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience leading large-scale instructional innovation, digital transformation, or strategic change initiatives in an urban PreK-12 educational setting preferred.
  • Extensive knowledge of instructional technology integration frameworks, digital transformation models, and innovative instructional practices.
  • Strong understanding of systems thinking, organizational leadership, and change management principles.
  • Knowledge of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, blended learning, virtual learning, and adaptive instructional systems.
  • Ability to analyze and utilize data to drive strategic decision-making and continuous improvement.
  • Exceptional communication, presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders.
  • Strong project management, strategic planning, and organizational skills.
  • Commitment to educational equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices.

  Benefits

  The Allentown School District offers a comprehensive benefits package to those who qualify. This may include:

  • Medical Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Reimbursement
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Personal and Sick time
  • PSERS Retirement Fund

  Pay

  $138,934 - $194,508

  Schedule

  N/A