Emerging Tech is seeking an Innovation Strategist to support the NYC Department of Education’s Strategic IT Governance Operations Support Program by designing and implementing a sustainable innovation framework. This role is instrumental in future-state planning, identifying emerging technologies, managing pilot programs, and driving innovation initiatives that enhance both student outcomes and operational effectiveness. The ideal candidate combines creativity with pragmatic analysis, excels in navigating ambiguous, fast-changing environments with multiple priorities, and is an effective communicator for both technical teams and executive leadership.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Identify, assess, and prioritize opportunities for innovation within the DOE’s IT ecosystem aligned with strategic goals and governance frameworks.
• Design a scalable innovation roadmap incorporating pilot program frameworks, success criteria, and impact metrics to guide phased implementation.
• Conduct ongoing research and analysis on emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices in educational IT innovation to inform recommendations.
• Facilitate ideation workshops, stakeholder interviews, and cross-functional collaboration sessions to surface high-impact innovation opportunities.
• Develop comprehensive reports, presentations, and strategic communications to effectively convey innovation strategies, pilot results, and recommendations to diverse audiences.

Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum 5 years of experience in innovation strategy, emerging technology planning, R&D, or related roles.
• Experience working with educational institutions or public sector innovation initiatives strongly preferred.
• Proven skills in research, facilitation, and strategic communication with executive-level stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability designing and managing pilot programs, including defining and evaluating impact metrics.
• Comfortable working in dynamic, ambiguous environments with competing priorities.