[Hiring] Director, Emerging Technology and Innovation Programs @Internet 2

Role Description

The Director, Emerging Technology and Innovation Programs leads Internet2's NET+ emerging technology portfolio, setting strategy, managing active service offerings, and building industry partnerships that support the research and higher education community. This role combines strategic vision with hands-on operational leadership, guiding emerging technologies such as AI, advanced wireless, and quantum-enabled services from evaluation through adoption as sustainable, community-supported offerings.

This role will provide leadership for communities of practice and develop resources that help institutions evaluate, adopt, and implement emerging technologies. As a member of the Vice President's management team, the Director will represent NET+ across industry and higher education forums, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and help align emerging technology initiatives with Internet2's strategic priorities. The Director also supervises and develops the program development team, supporting professional growth and program success.

This role provides a unique opportunity to influence how the higher education and research community evaluates, adopts, and scales emerging technologies, helping shape the future of AI, advanced wireless, and quantum-enabled services across hundreds of institutions.

• Set strategic direction and manage day-to-day execution for the NET+ emerging technology portfolio.
• Act as primary owner for two to four active NET+ service offerings.
• Build and scale strategic, high-value partnerships with industry leaders.
• Provide operational support and leadership for existing communities of practice.
• Directly supervise, coach, and evaluate the program development team.
• Serve as an active member of the Vice President’s management team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise technology platforms, cloud strategy, or emerging technology programs.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating emerging technologies and developing strategic recommendations.
• Proven history of negotiating and managing industry partnerships.
• Ability to manage a portfolio of concurrent commitments and deliver results.
• Exceptional written and verbal skills in translating technical concepts.
• Experience hiring, supervising, coaching, and evaluating professional staff.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.

Requirements

• Strategic technology leader with a proven track record of advancing enterprise and emerging technology initiatives.
• Technical and business translator who can bridge complex technologies and business needs.
• Collaborative people leader with experience developing teams and building consensus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with portfolio priority areas such as agentic AI, private 5G, or quantum computing services.
• Exposure to quantum networking and post-quantum cryptography.
• Working knowledge of requirements common to higher education technology procurement.
• Experience in higher education or research IT leadership.
• Familiarity with NET+, InCommon, or comparable community-governed service programs.
• Demonstrated experience producing published technical artifacts.
• Ability to originate and close industry-funded revenue for technology programs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances.
• Health spending account program.
• Sick time and vacation time.
• Tax deferred retirement plan.

Expected Hiring Range

Pay Grade: $146,500 - $164,800. Starting salary is commensurate and may vary with experience and education. For pay transparency purposes, the full salary range is: $146,500 - $219,800.