Assistant Director of Innovation Technology

Information Technology and Computing Services ( ITCS) is the central agency that supports enterprise-wide computing at East Carolina University. ITCS, through innovative information technology initiatives and service, provides opportunities for the ECU community to excel in teaching, research, and service using state-of-the-market technology and collaborative environments. ITCS is first and foremost committed to providing excellent information technology support for faculty, staff, and students. ITCS partners with campus departments, other universities, and industry to make strategic investments in information technology infrastructure that will help maintain a competitive advantage in administrative applications, faculty research, and outreach to the state and nation. We will achieve this through increasing the core functions and deploying appropriate technology throughout the university.

Information Technology and Computing Services ( ITCS) at East Carolina University supports enterprise-wide computing and technology services. Within that structure, the Teaching, Learning and Research team provides support for all teaching, learning and research technologies, including both hardware and software needs, as well as processes and procedures to ensures these are managed in keeping with the strategic priorities of the University. The primary purpose of this team is to empower faculty, students, and researchers with the technology, tools, and support they need to teach, learn, and conduct research effectively and innovatively.

INTERNAL POSTING: Open only to applicants currently employed by East Carolina University

The Assistant Director of Innovation Technology provides strategic and operational leadership to identify, pilot, and scale emerging technologies that advance teaching, learning, research, and administrative excellence. Leading a small, resourceful team, the Assistant Director partners with faculty, students, staff, and campus stakeholders to cultivate a culture of innovation, drive collaborative technology initiatives, and expand the institution's capacity to adopt and integrate cutting-edge tools - including artificial intelligence and other transformative technologies.

Leadership & Team Development
* Lead, mentor, and develop a small team of innovation specialists and project staff.
* Set team goals, prioritize initiatives, and promote a collaborative, user-focused, and experimental mindset.
* Manage resources and workflows to ensure timely and high-impact delivery of projects and pilots.

Academic Technology Innovation
* Identify and assess new and emerging technologies that enhance teaching, learning, and research.
* Partner with faculty and instructional support teams to co-design pilots, proofs of concept, and experiments that test innovative tools and pedagogical approaches.
* Develop processes to evaluate, document, and share outcomes and best practices from pilot projects.
* Support the scaling and institutionalization of successful academic innovations.

Administrative & AI Innovation
* Collaborate with administrative units to explore, pilot, and implement innovative technologies - including AI, automation, and digital tools that streamline operations and improve service delivery.
* Serve as an advisor and connector for campus partners seeking to responsibly adopt AI and emerging technologies in administrative contexts.
* Support development of frameworks, training, or guidance for ethical and effective use of AI.

Collaboration & Coordination
* Cultivate strong relationships with faculty, staff, students, IT leadership, and external partners to surface innovative ideas and align projects with institutional goals.
* Facilitate cross-functional working groups, communities of practice, or innovation networks to share ideas and expand collaboration.
* Communicate project updates, outcomes, and opportunities to campus stakeholders through reports, presentations, and showcases.

Innovation Program Development
* Develop and manage innovation pipelines, from idea intake to pilot execution and potential scale-up.
* Identify funding opportunities, partnerships, or grants that support technology innovation efforts.
* Promote a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement through workshops, events, or demonstration opportunities.

The standard work schedule for this position will need to be adjusted to meet the position requirements, which include and are not limited to evening and weekend hours to perform scheduled and unscheduled workload requirements to maintain University operations.

This position may be eligible for Flexible Work Arrangements ( FWA) under the ECU FWA Policy.

This position requires the employee to reside within a reasonable commutable distance of the ECU main campus. "Reasonable commuting distance" is defined as a location that does not exceed a distance that can be safely traveled in two hours by automobile under average conditions of traffic, weather, and roads to employee's assigned duty station in Greenville, NC.

Contingent upon availability of funds.

Bachelor's degree and 4 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

NA

* Master's degree in a related field.
* Experience working in higher education or research institutions.
* Knowledge of AI tools, responsible AI practices, and their application in academic and administrative contexts.
* Experience leading initiatives focused on innovation
* Familiarity with grant development or external partnerships to support innovation.

East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. Candidates must also submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references, including contact information, online.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act ( ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/ TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.