Director, Innovation (School of Technology)

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The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Job Description

Job Profile Summary:

The Director of Innovation is a key leadership role within the School of Technology with responsibility for leading innovation and strategy in 3 distinct areas: 1) product development 2) research and insights, and 3) thought leadership. This individual works closely with the SVP(s), VP(s) and Program Directors to establish Internal and External relationships to facilitate robust projects that further organizational initiatives, including internships, apprenticeships, and work-based learning. The Director of Innovation will also contribute to internal and external presentations, articles, award submissions, and thought leadership.

The WGU Academic Schools are as large as many universities and larger than most colleges in the US. As such, the school needs focused leadership on refining, repositioning, and innovating its current products, services, and strategic insights. This role requires strong entrepreneurial drive, flexibility, creativity, a high tolerance for ambiguity and change, and the ability to build excellent working relationships with leaders across multiple working groups and university practices. It also requires a unique blend of operational skills, academic credibility, and people management.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Academic Product Development

• Maintains strategic oversight of new academic product offering and product roadmap.
• Collaborates with external and internal stakeholders across a multitude of organizations to design and execute product offerings that meet intended outcomes.
• Partners cross-functionallyforthe timely execution of new products, processes, and procedures that support the growth of the school.

Research & Insights

• Collaborateswith executive leadershipto identify key macro-economic and societal trends and produces reports and visualizations to inform strategic decision making.
• Oversees ongoing market research for new programs, product proposals and technologies, including research on repositioning of existing products, and potential new service offerings.

Thought Leadership

• Provides thought leadershipand makes recommendations for innovations in learning products, learning design, and delivery based on analysis of data and learning science.
• Directs research projects aimed at elevating the school and the executive team's thought leadership profile.

Partnerships

• Collaborateswith regions and partnerships to establish key partnerships.
• In partnership with the Regional Vice Presidents, conducts research to validate local employer and students' needs and opportunities as a means of finding "best fit" partners.
• Establishes meaningful partnerships which enable innovations in internships, apprenticeships, and work-based learning strategies.

General responsibilities

• Endeavors to incorporate WGU's leadership principles into all aspects of the individual's work and interactions with others.
• Producestimely, consistent,and accurate reportsfor stakeholders and executives.
• Maintains professional knowledge of innovative and current practices in the areas of learning science,competency-based education,and online learning throughanalysisof research and participation in conferences.
• Provides measurable feedback to direct reports (cross-functional team of managers) and suggestions for improved performance.
• Develops appropriate analytics for measuring employee performance and student outcomes.
• Establishes a network of strategic relationships with Academy partners and external organizations to remain up to date on new research and strategies and initiatives, and to disseminate this to other leaders as appropriate.
• Inspire and motivate leaders, managers, teams to meet and exceed expectations. Develops and recruits top talent and future leaders.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Ability to build relationships and influence at all levels, both internally and externally
• Proven ability to analyze data to identify trends and drive innovation
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and direct team activities and results
• Ability to coach, direct and develop direct reports
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills
• Ability to be an agent of change in a rapidly changing environment
• Strong organizational and demonstrated communication and research skills
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and pay attention to detail
• Requires composure under pressure, dealing with ambiguity and comfort working closely with executive leadership.

Competencies:

Organizational Impact:

• Develops and recommends strategies that align with school and university goals.
• Performance leads and impacts school and university results. Work requires extensive knowledge of the University to recognize impact of decisions.
• Responsible for effective execution and financial analysis and planning for innovative projects and products.

Problem Solving & Decision Making:

• Responsible for making significant improvements to processes, programs, and systems to enhance the outcomes of the school and university.
• May create and direct policy decisions within scope of responsibility. Accountable for coordinating activities and maintaining relationships with external parties as needed.
• Problems faced are numerous and undefined, and require detailed information gathering, analysis, and prior experience. Solutions to problems typically affect multiple departments.
• Communication & Influence:

• Represents the division or job area as the primary internal contact for operations.
• Influences others to accept the division or job area's views, practices, concepts, and approaches. Interacts with equivalent level management concerning matters of significance to the University.
• Conducts briefings with senior leadership to gain approval.

Leadership & Talent Management

• Manages a team of professionals, often through influence.
• Oversees hiring, firing, promotion, performance management, employee training, and other personnel decisions of significance within the division or job area.
• Executes functional tasks, through individual, team and collaborative efforts.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in relevant discipline or 10 years equivalent work experience
• 5+ years specific experience in designing and implementing Tech Solutions which should include a thorough knowledge and understanding of the Ed Tech Industry5+ years leading and managing people, teams, and projects
• Experience with competency-based education and online education
• Experience managing vendor relationships and budgets
• Experience performing data collection, analysis, and presentation
• 5+ years of experience in developing online learning products
• Experience in instructional design, curriculum development, and educational technology
• Experience in relationship management across a range of internal and external partners

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Pay Range- $122,100-$219800

Position & Application Details

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.