Director of Innovation Technology

Complete College America; Indianapolis (IN); Remote; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a visionary Director of Technology Innovation to spearhead AI initiatives aimed at enhancing college completion and equity in higher education. This remote position, requiring frequent travel, involves bridging technology and educational equity, advocating for AI policies, and developing comprehensive training programs. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of higher education challenges, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to educational equity. Join a dynamic team dedicated to transforming institutions and fostering student success through innovative technology solutions.

Benefits

Competitive benefits compensation package

Remote work flexibility

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 7+ years in higher education with a focus on student success.
• Strong understanding of AI applications in educational settings.
• Experience with training and communication in professional contexts.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI initiatives to enhance college completion and equity.
• Develop training programs for effective AI integration in education.
• Create research papers and policy recommendations on AI adoption.

Skills

AI technologies

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Educational equity advocacy

Education

Master's degree in Higher Education Administration

Master's degree in Educational Technology

Master's degree in Computer Science

Master's degree in Data Science

Tools

Metrics and KPIs development

Training program development

Job description

Director of Technology Innovation

Organizational Overview

The barriers to college completion are complex and intertwined. No one educator, department, institution, or state can solve them. Without a simultaneous and intersectional approach, those barriers will continue to rob all of us—educators, advocates, and students alike—of the life-changing benefits of a complete college journey.

Complete College America (CCA) builds movements for scaled change and transforms institutions. Since its founding in 2009, CCA has paired bold, innovative thinking with practical actions that colleges and policymakers can implement across every level of higher education. CCA’s work centers on researching and testing education reforms, providing coaching and support, and advocating for change. Across these areas, CCA uses data to identify barriers and design successful strategies; aligns policy, perspective, and practice so complex systems operate effectively; connects experts to amplify their insights; and builds shared accountability. The organization is at the center of the broad CCA Alliance, which is driving change that works for every leader, every campus, and every system.

Complete College America’s headquarters is in Indianapolis, Indiana. The selected candidate will work remotely, with frequent travel required.

Job Description

Reporting to the Vice President for Research, Policy, and Advocacy, the Director of Technology Innovation will lead CCA's strategic initiatives in leveraging artificial intelligence to advance college completion and equity in higher education. This position serves as the bridge between technological innovation and educational equity, working closely with the CCA Council for Equitable AI to ensure that AI implementation in higher education actively dismantles rather than reinforces systemic barriers.

This role requires a visionary leader who can navigate both the technical and human aspects of AI integration in higher education. The Director will collaborate with historically excluded institutions and their students through the Council for Equitable AI, advocating for and shaping policies that promote equitable AI adoption. They will develop and deliver comprehensive training programs for colleges and universities nationwide, building capacity for effective and ethical AI implementation that advances student success.

The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of both higher education's challenges and AI's transformative potential. They must possess the ability to influence technology marketplace development, shape policy discussions, and translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences. Success in this role requires excellent presentation and communication skills, demonstrated commitment to educational equity, and the ability to build strong relationships with institutional partners, policymakers, and technology providers.

Responsibilities

• Support the CCA Council for Equitable AI in developing frameworks and guidelines for ethical AI implementation in higher education, with particular focus on historically excluded institutions and students.
• Develop and deliver comprehensive training programs for colleges and universities on effective AI integration, focusing on student success and institutional transformation.
• Create and publish white papers, research briefs, and policy recommendations on equitable AI adoption in higher education, establishing CCA as a thought leader in this space.
• Work with technology providers and policymakers to influence product development and policy decisions that support equitable AI implementation in higher education.
• Design and implement metrics to track the effectiveness of AI initiatives across the Alliance, including measures of student success, equity impact, and institutional transformation.
• Plan and execute national seminars, workshops, and conferences focusing on AI integration in higher education reform efforts.
• Collaborate with Alliance members to integrate AI solutions within CCA's established pillars of institutional transformation and student success.
• Build and maintain partnerships with technology companies, policy organizations, and educational institutions to advance CCA's AI acceleration goals.
• Develop operational metrics and KPIs to measure the success of the AI acceleration program, including adoption rates, equity impacts, and student success outcomes.
• Create and maintain documentation and resources for Alliance members on best practices in AI implementation, focusing on practical application and equity considerations.
• Advise institutional leaders on strategies for building AI capacity while maintaining focus on equity and student success.
• Monitor and analyze emerging AI trends and technologies to identify opportunities for advancing CCA's mission and goals.

Job Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and experience:

• Minimum of seven years’ experience in higher education, with demonstrated understanding of student success initiatives and institutional transformation.
• Proven track record of leading technology initiatives or AI implementation projects in educational settings.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with experience delivering training and speaking at professional conferences.
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity and experience working with historically excluded populations in higher education.
• Strong understanding of AI technologies and their applications in higher education, including current trends and emerging capabilities.
• Experience developing and tracking operational metrics and KPIs for program evaluation.
• Proven ability to produce high-quality written materials including white papers, policy briefs, and technical documentation.
• Experience building and maintaining partnerships with diverse stakeholders including technology providers, policymakers, and educational leaders.
• Demonstrated success in project management and program development, particularly in technology-enabled educational initiatives.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.
• Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Educational Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, or related field required.
• This is a remote position with frequent travel required.

Application Process

Email resume and cover letter to: [e-mail]. Applications will be reviewed as received, until an ideal candidate is identified.

Application Deadline: Priority Deadline January 10, 2025. Position remains open until filled.

Salary

The salary range is $90-110k. The final salary is commensurate with relevant educational background, previous work experience and professional expertise. In addition to the salary, CCA also offers a competitive benefits compensation package.

Physical Demands

The position requires little physical effort. However, during an event, the employee may have to lift boxes with meeting supplies and documents for distribution.

Complete College America is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for employees, students, visitors, and stakeholders. As part of this effort, background check clearance is a condition of employment at Complete College America.

Complete College America is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer.