The MCNC Senior Director of Innovation reports to the President and CEO and is responsible for driving the overall innovation strategy across all MCNC businesses, services, and operations. The Senior Director will be a key contributor to MCNC’s future, building on over 40 years of technology leadership in NC and defining a roadmap for growth and sustainability into the coming decade. The scope of this role includes coordinating transformations of existing products and services, identifying new markets and customers, and developing new lines of business. 

Key Responsibilities/Duties

• Formalize and oversee MCNC-wide innovation practices and processes.
• Lead the integration of innovation practices across services and operations teams.
• Author feasibility studies and partner with internal and external thought leaders and specialists to create business case studies to document and communicate opportunities to leadership and other
• Develop comprehensive plans that specify the details of approved innovation implementations - including technology development, investment options, operating models, revenue projections, go-to-market strategies, partner development, sustainability, and so on.
• Identify and recruit partners for solutions delivery, deployment, and/or funding.
• Write grant applications to foundations, State, and Federal funding programs to support research, development, and evaluation of emerging programs.
• Monitor research and development of other organizations and across the industry to spot trends in services and innovation that may supplement MCNC services and operations.
• Coordinate the transition of new businesses and services to operations teams.

Minimum Education, Experience and Skills Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Security, Information Technology, Information Systems Management, Computer Science, Engineering or related field(s) or equivalent demonstrated work experience.
• 15+ years of experience in technological innovation, engineering, research, product development, and strategy development
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to actively listen to and comfortably collaborate with business partners at all levels and to build and use effective working relationships within your own department and across the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage a team, and engage senior management and cross-functional teams made up of members of the organization and external parties.
• Demonstrated competence in writing for a variety of audiences coupled with excellent communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong business knowledge and organizational savvy, resulting in innovative solutions to address business needs.
• Experience developing and managing budgets, and hiring, training, developing, supervising, and providing annual work plan for direct reports, including annual performance reviews.
• Strong organizational and supervisory/management skills. Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing teams and follow through on commitments.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented and results-driven.
• Adept at planning, organizing, and controlling technical and business innovation programs and projects, ensuring efficient utilization of resources.
• High literacy of various office applications (MS Office Suite, etc.)
• Creativity and persistence to accomplish goals and objectives with limited resources.
• Ability to effectively manage outside vendors, contractors, and consultants, if needed.
• This role will be required to adhere to the MCNC Substance Abuse policy, which may include drug/alcohol screening at hire and periodically or randomly during employment.
• Annual background and sex offender checks will be performed for pre-employment and throughout your time with the company due to the need to visit K-12 school properties.
• This position is primarily based in Research Triangle Park, NC but will require travel to MCNC client locations or to represent MCNC at events in the state or out-of-state.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Strong familiarity with MCNC technologies, services, customers, and stakeholders. KPIs for this role should be focused substantially on revenue growth and partner development.
• Master’s degree in engineering, business, or a related field.
• Significant understanding of a non-profit environment or broadband network provider operations.
• Strong understanding of federal and state level programs related to technology innovation and funding for innovation.
• Experience writing grant applications to support funding for research, development, and innovation.
• Excels in time management. Manages multiple projects effectively and completes tasks within stated timeframes.