Innovation Coordinator

City-of-Lake-Forest,-Il; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 82,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid holidays and vacation

Pension plan and retirement options

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

The City of Lake Forest seeks an Innovation Coordinator to support city-wide innovation, technology implementation, business process improvements, and organizational change initiatives.

This full-time role collaborates with City departments to translate needs into practical technology solutions, manage projects, and guide change while providing hands-on IT support in a public service environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field (IT, business, public administration).
• 5+ years in project management, business analysis, technology implementation, or related fields, preferably in government or public sector.
• Experience translating business needs into technology requirements and managing change within organizations.

Responsibilities

• Review processes and identify opportunities to automate or improve operations via technology.
• Collaborate with departments to understand needs, workflows, and goals.
• Translate requirements for IT staff, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Lead project plans, timelines, testing, training, deployment, and post-implementation follow-up.
• Create documentation, workflows, user guides, and training materials.
• Support technology adoption through change communication and user support.

Skills

Business analysis

Project coordination

Change management

Customer service

Technical support

Vendor coordination

Communication

Public sector awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Municipal/government experience preferred

Tools

Microsoft 365

Active Directory

Helpdesk systems

Vendor management software

Job description

Are you a collaborative, curious, and process-minded technology professional who enjoys helping people work smarter? The City of Lake Forest is seeking an Innovation Coordinator to support City-wide innovation, technology implementation, business process improvement, and organizational change initiatives.

This full-time role works closely with City departments to understand operational needs, improve workflows, support technology adoption, and help ensure software and systems are used effectively to improve efficiency and service delivery. The Innovation Coordinator serves as a primary point of contact between departments, Innovation and Technology staff, and vendors during technology and process improvement projects.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys solving problems, translating business needs into practical technology solutions, supporting users through change, and balancing project work with hands-on technical support in a public service environment.

Why Join the City of Lake Forest?

• Help City departments improve processes, strengthen service delivery, and make better use of technology.
• Work on a wide variety of projects that support operations across the organization.
• Use your business analysis, project coordination, communication, and technical support skills in a meaningful public service setting.
• Be part of a collaborative Innovation and Technology team that values problem-solving, continuous improvement, and responsive service.
• Support technology adoption in a way that helps employees feel informed, prepared, and supported.

• Review business processes and identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, automate, or improve operations through technology.

• Work with City departments to understand operational needs, challenges, workflows, and goals.
• Translate department needs into clear business and technical requirements for IT staff, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Support technology and process improvement projects from planning through implementation.
• Coordinate project plans, timelines, milestones, deliverables, testing, training, implementation, and post-implementation follow-up.
• Develop project documentation, requirements, workflows, process maps, procedures, user guides, training materials, and communications.
• Support successful technology adoption through change communication, training coordination, feedback, and follow-up.
• Provide responsive, customer-focused technology support through the helpdesk ticketing system and direct user assistance.
• Assist with software deployments, system upgrades, technology rollouts, Microsoft 365, Active Directory, procurement, vendor coordination, inventory, and other IT operational initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.

• More than five years of experience in project management, project coordination, business analysis, technology implementation, process improvement, IT support, or a related technology/business systems environment preferred.
• Experience in municipal government, local government, or another public-sector environment preferred.
• Relevant technical or professional certifications preferred, including CompTIA, Microsoft, ITIL, PMP, CAPM, Prosci Change Management, Lean Six Sigma, or similar credentials.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to coordinate multiple projects, timelines, deliverables, risks, issues, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of business analysis, process improvement, project coordination, technology implementation, and organizational change management principles.
• Strong interpersonal, customer service, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
• General understanding of computer hardware, software, networking, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, Microsoft 365, and helpdesk support practices.
• Ability to learn new technologies, build productive relationships, support change, and balance strategic project work with day-to-day operational support.

Full Benefits Package

• Full salary range: $82,377 - $114,290, depending on qualifications
• Insurance: Medical (PPO/HMO), dental, vision
• Leave: 13 paid holidays, front-loaded vacation and sick time, parental leave
• Retirement: IMRF pension, plus 457(b) and Roth options
• Additional Benefits: Tuition reimbursement, Employee Assistance Program, legal and life coverage, Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, longevity bonuses, and annual merit bonus opportunities based on exceptional performance

The City of Lake Forest is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences.