Emerging Technology Strategist

UMass Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

UMass Boston is seeking an Emerging Technology Strategist to lead evaluation, piloting, and implementation of AI and innovation platforms. The role also maintains MakerSpace 3D printers and supports accessibility across initiatives.

You will collaborate with faculty, researchers, and IT partners to translate strategy into hands-on execution. Reporting to the Director for Emerging Technology, Innovation & Digital Accessibility, you will manage pilots, coordinate with enterprise teams, and mentor

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in IT, Engineering, CS, Educational Technology, or related field.
• 5+ years supporting or implementing emerging technologies.
• Hands-on experience evaluating, piloting, and supporting new technologies.
• Experience working with end users in educational contexts.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple pilots and projects concurrently.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead evaluating and supporting emerging technologies.
• Conduct hands-on testing, configuration, and readiness assessments.
• Support AI pilots and governance-aligned deployments.
• Provide technical consultation to faculty, staff, researchers, and students.
• Supervise student employees in MakerSpace and Technovation operations.
• Collaborate with IT and Academic Tech to support innovation adoption.

Skills

Communication skills

Documentation skills

Collaboration

Project management

End-user support

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/Engineering/CS

Tools

AI tools familiarity

XR technologies

3D Printing ecosystems

Job description

General Summary

The Emerging Technology Strategist provides in-person technical, operational, and applied leadership for the evaluation, piloting, implementation, and day-to-day support of emerging technologies at the University of Massachusetts Boston. This role plays a critical function in translating innovation strategy into hands-on execution, ensuring that new technologies—particularly those related to artificial intelligence (AI), innovation platforms, and MakerSpace (3D Printing) environments are responsibly introduced, effectively supported, and positioned for broader institutional adoption. Reporting to the Director for Emerging Technology, Innovation & Digital Accessibility, the Strategist serves as the primary technical lead responsible for evaluating, piloting, implementing, and supporting emerging technologies and innovation initiatives. The position works closely with faculty, researchers, staff, students, and IT partners to support teaching, research, administrative workflows, and innovation programming. This position will also be responsible for maintaining the MakerSpace Studio’s 3D printers and other assistive technology.

Examples of Duties

Emerging Technology & AI Technical Leadership

• Serve as the technical lead for evaluating, piloting, and supporting emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence platforms, instructional tools, and innovation technologies.
• Conduct hands-on testing, configuration, documentation, and operational readiness assessments of emerging tools.
• Support AI pilots and early-stage deployments in alignment with institutional AI governance, security, and responsible-use frameworks.
• Provide technical consultation and subject-matter expertise to faculty, staff, researchers, and students adopting emerging technologies.

Emerging Technology Evaluation & Roadmap

• Conduct technical evaluations of emerging technologies to determine institutional fit, operational readiness, security considerations, accessibility impacts, and support requirements.
• Coordinate with Information Security, Enterprise Applications, Infrastructure, and Academic Technology teams during technology evaluations.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the university’s emerging technology roadmap.
• Track pilot outcomes, adoption trends, utilization metrics, and lessons learned.

Innovation Platforms, Technovation & MakerSpace Operations

• Manage the day-to-day technical and operational activities of Technovation and MakerSpace environments.
• Support innovation programming, workshops, demonstrations, and events within these spaces.
• Supervise, train, and mentor student employees supporting innovation labs and MakerSpace operations.
• Serve as the primary supervisor for student employees supporting Technovation, MakerSpace, and emerging technology initiatives.
• Ensure innovation spaces operate in a manner that is inclusive, accessible, and aligned with institutional expectations.

Pilot Programs, Vendor Engagement & Evaluation

• Coordinate and support pilot programs, proofs of concept, and limited-scale deployments of emerging technologies.
• Assist with vendor demonstrations, evaluations, and trials, providing technical input and operational feedback.
• Document pilot outcomes, including benefits, risks, operational requirements, accessibility considerations, and recommendations.
• Partner with the Director to inform decision-making regarding pilot continuation, scale-up, or discontinuation.

Training, Adoption & Collaboration

• Provide technical content and advanced support for training and adoption initiatives led by the Technology Training & Adoption Specialist.
• Contribute hands-on demonstrations, advanced workshops, and use-case examples related to emerging technologies.
• Collaborate with colleagues across IT, Academic Technology, Research Computing, and Client Services to support innovation adoption.
• Act as a liaison between technology teams and users engaged in innovation projects.

Accessibility & Responsible Technology Use

• Evaluate accessibility considerations during emerging technology pilots and lab-based implementations.
• Identify accessibility risks or gaps and collaborate with the Digital Experience & Accessibility Specialist on mitigation strategies.
• Support responsible, ethical, and inclusive use of emerging technologies through operational practices and documentation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Computer Science, Educational Technology, or a related field.
• Five (5) or more years of experience supporting, implementing, or managing emerging technologies or applied technical environments.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience evaluating, piloting, and supporting new technologies.
• Experience working directly with end users (faculty, staff, researchers, students) in applied or instructional technology contexts.
• Strong support, collaboration, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, pilots, and operational responsibilities concurrently in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education, research, or innovation lab environments.
• Familiarity with AI tools, prototyping platforms, XR technologies, or 3D Printing ecosystems.
• Experience supervising or mentoring student employees.
• Knowledge of accessibility considerations in technology design or evaluation.
• Experience supporting technology adoption initiatives or innovation programming.

For Professional Unit Positions

• Is this job required to be on-call? No

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link

Grade: 33

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [e-mail] or 617-287-5150.

Departments: IT Ed Tech & Learning Commons