- Position Type:
Professional/Director
- Date Available:
07/27/2026
DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills.
Position Summary: The Director of Technology and Innovation (DTI) serves as CREC's senior leader for technology, innovation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data systems, and digital transformation. Reporting to the Director of Operations, the DTI provides strategic vision and operational leadership for all technology systems and services across the agency while helping CREC identify and leverage emerging technologies that enhance educational services, organizational effectiveness, workforce productivity, and operational excellence
The DTI oversees the planning, implementation, management, security, and continuous improvement of CREC's enterprise technology environment, including infrastructure, networks, cybersecurity, cloud services, enterprise applications, data governance, customer support services, and technology-enabled innovation initiatives. The DTI works collaboratively with leaders across all divisions, schools, and programs to ensure technology investments align with CREC's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term organizational goals.
The DTI serves as a strategic advisor to agency leadership on technology, innovation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and emerging trends, helping position CREC as a leader in educational innovation and technology-enabled service delivery.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership and direction for all agency-wide technology operations, infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, and customer support services.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive technology and innovation roadmap aligned with CREC's strategic priorities.
• Develop and maintain technology governance practices, disaster recovery plans, business continuity strategies, and cybersecurity protocols.
• Monitor and evaluate technology performance metrics and customer service outcomes to drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with agency leaders to identify technology needs and opportunities that support organizational goals and service delivery.
• Research, evaluate, and recommend emerging technologies and innovative solutions that advance CREC's mission.
Innovation, AI and Digital Transformation
- Develop and lead CREC's enterprise strategy for innovation, artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation.
• Identify opportunities to leverage AI and emerging technologies to improve efficiency, effectiveness, service delivery, decision-making, and educational outcomes.
• Partner with agency leaders to redesign workflows, modernize business processes, and improve productivity through technology-enabled solutions.
• Evaluate, pilot, and scale innovative technologies that create value for CREC and its member districts.
• Establish frameworks and practices that promote the ethical, responsible, secure, and effective use of artificial intelligence.
• Monitor developments in AI, automation, cybersecurity, data analytics, and emerging technologies and assess their implications for CREC.
• Serve as executive sponsor and strategic advisor to CREC's AI Ethics and Innovation Committee and related technology governance groups.
• Work collaboratively with committee members and agency leaders to translate recommendations into actionable implementation plans.
• Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous learning across the organization.
• Identify opportunities to expand technology-enabled services and supports for member districts.
• Represent CREC in regional, state, and national conversations related to technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation.
Leadership and Collaboration
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to advance technology and innovation initiatives.
• Build strong partnerships with school and program leaders, technology providers, higher education institutions, governmental agencies, and professional organizations.
• Provide leadership and guidance on technology policy, cybersecurity, data governance, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Prepare reports, presentations, recommendations, and strategic analyses for leadership and governance groups.
• Communicate complex technology concepts in clear, practical terms to diverse stakeholder groups.
Competencies
- Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale technology operations and innovation initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of enterprise technology systems, cybersecurity, cloud services, networking, and customer support operations.
• Knowledge of artificial intelligence technologies, automation platforms, data analytics, and emerging technology trends.
• Ability to translate technology opportunities into practical organizational strategies and measurable outcomes.
• Strong project management, organizational leadership, and change management skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships and influence organizational decision-making.
• Knowledge of AI governance, privacy, ethics, cybersecurity, and risk management principles.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Educational Technology, Business Technology, or a related field required.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in technology, innovation, information systems, digital transformation, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise technology operations and supervising multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience implementing strategic technology initiatives, cybersecurity programs, and organizational technology improvements.
• Experience with artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics, or digital transformation initiatives preferred.
• Experience working within large, complex educational, governmental, nonprofit, or service-oriented organizations preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaboration, innovation, customer service, and continuous improvement
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
Group Health Insurance Plans
Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
Long Term Disability & Short Term Disability options
403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Matching Contribution if applicable
Flexible Spending Account Pre-Tax Savings for Health Care, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose Post Deductible (if contributing to an HSA)
Comprehensive benefit time package
Employee Assistance Program
Bereavement time & Religious Holidays
Credit Union Access
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Employee Network Groups
Access to professional learning opportunities with two fully paid courses through CREC University each year, empowering you to expand your skills and advance your career!
Benefit from our exclusive partnership with Springfield College, offering a 15% discount on tuition for next-level degree programs to support your academic and career aspirations!
Based on terms and conditions during your employment, specific to your job classification and collective bargaining agreement.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION STATEMENT: CREC strives to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of racism and prejudice�ranging from biases to aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices, and traditions�that harm people from systemically marginalized groups or that benefit privileged groups. CREC staff and students acknowledge and respect people of all identifiers, such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, religion, and veteran status.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
To access the job description and salary range document, please click https://www.crec.org/careers/jobs.php
