Enterprise Innovation Strategist

Houston Independent School District•Houston, TX

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The Enterprise Innovation Strategist serves as a designated enterprise authority for product innovation, digital system design, and applied artificial intelligence, translating instructional and operational priorities into high impact, scalable technology platforms. Reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), this role operates as a distinguished innovation leader rather than a traditional management ladder position. Operating with a clean sheet innovation mindset, the Enterprise Innovation Strategist defines, architects, and delivers net new software products, AI enabled systems, and digital platforms that do not currently exist within the organization. The role exercises influence through architectural authority, product leadership, and executive advisory capacity, coordinating cross functional stakeholders, contractors, and external partners to deliver measurable outcomes aligned to district priorities. Use of this job family outside of centralized IT requires approval from the Chief Technology Officer.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university or demonstrably equivalent expertise acquired through professional practice, innovation leadership, or system design.
Candidates without a formal degree must clearly demonstrate exceptional mastery through a documented record of leading complex, high-impact initiatives, such as:
Ownership or architecture of enterprise-scale software, platforms, or systems.
Delivery of net-new products or innovations adopted at organizational scale.
Demonstrated authority in a specialized domain (e.g., product innovation, AI systems, instructional systems, or platform architecture).
Evidence of sustained impact, influence, and results across complex environments.
Equivalent expertise is assessed based on scope, complexity, outcomes, and leadership demonstrated—not tenure alone.
Demonstrated experience leading product, platform, or process innovation from concept through production deployment.
Proven success delivering complex software, cloud based, or AI enabled solutions at scale.
Experience bridging instructional or operational domain expertise with technology solution design.
Strong executive communication and stakeholder influence skills.
Proficiency in project and product delivery methodologies.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in education, innovation, or technology is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Enterprise Product & Innovation Strategy
Serve as the enterprise authority on product innovation, digital platforms, and intelligent systems design.
Translate future state instructional, operational, and organizational needs into actionable product strategies and innovation roadmaps.
Lead end to end innovation efforts including ideation, strategic framing, prototyping, MVP delivery, scaling, and production deployment.
Apply emerging technologies—including AI/ML, data platforms, and cloud native architectures—to solve complex, high impact district challenges.
Product & Innovation Portfolio Leadership
Shape and manage a portfolio of innovation initiatives in partnership with the CTO, balancing value, feasibility, scalability, and organizational readiness.
Develop business cases, investment recommendations, and sequencing strategies for innovation initiatives.
Define success metrics and ensure delivery of measurable instructional, operational, financial, and service outcomes.
Architecture, Platform & Solution Design Authority
Establish architectural principles and platform strategies that ensure interoperability, security, scalability, and long term sustainability.
Architect and oversee delivery of full scale software and AI enabled solutions, including mission critical instructional systems.
Ensure solutions comply with governance, cybersecurity, privacy, accessibility, and regulatory standards.
Cross Functional & Executive Collaboration.
Partner with executive leadership and senior stakeholders to align innovation initiatives with district strategy and instructional priorities.
Serve as a trusted advisor to the CTO on innovation strategy, emerging technology opportunities, and system design tradeoffs.
Communicate product vision, progress, and outcomes in clear, business focused terms to technical and non technical audiences.
Delivery Oversight & Vendor Leadership
Lead delivery through contractors, vendors, and matrixed internal teams, providing direction, architectural guidance, and quality oversight.
Coordinate across IT, academics, operations, and external partners to ensure timely, high quality execution.
Evaluate build vs buy decisions and oversee vendor performance and outcomes.
Market Awareness & External Engagement
Monitor industry trends, peer practices, and emerging technologies to inform innovation strategy.
Engage external partners and peer networks to accelerate innovation and bring best in class solutions into the district.
Leadership Scope
This role operates as a distinguished enterprise expert, exercising influence through expertise, product ownership, architectural authority, and executive advisory. responsibility rather than formal positional management.
Direct people management responsibilities are project based.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.