Compensation
$140,219.38 - $212,361.56
(Based on Experience)
Summary
We are looking for an IT Director – Emerging Technology with at least five years of experience working with emerging technology such as artificial intelligence, natural language processing, data science, machine learning, internet-of-things, automation, digital transformation, augmented reality, smart water, and/or digital twins. As the IT Director for Emerging Technology, you will be a key team member involved in evaluating, piloting, selecting, and implementing new technology to operationalize at GLWA.
Your primary responsibility will be to deliver technical leadership, guidance and support to GLWA team members on the evaluation, application and configuration of emerging technology. This role is responsible for leading, facilitating and executing technology innovation along with the Emerging Technology Council (ETC), Information Technology (IT), and cross-functional teams. This position reports to the Chief Information Officer.
To be a successful candidate, you must be able to collaborate with team members and leadership across all areas of GLWA, build a culture of change and innovation, explore a variety of technologies, understand current business processes, discover potential value for emerging technology, and solve complex technical and non-technical issues.
Job Responsibilities
- As a member of the IT leadership and ETC teams, develop and maintain GLWA’s artificial intelligence policy and emerging technology strategic plan and roadmap.
- Facilitate ETC meetings and workshops.
- Participate in governance, planning, and implementation activities related to emerging technology and data analysis.
- Lead the development of policies, processes, and procedures related to emerging technology.
- Create and maintain list of implemented and future business use cases for emerging technologies.
- Evaluate business value, priority, return on investment, and risk related to the emerging technology business cases.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify, evaluate, pilot, and implement emerging technologies that drive efficiency, streamline operations, and deliver value to GLWA.
- Act as a bridge between technical teams and business areas, ensuring seamless communication and alignment on emerging technology.
- Actively interact and develop and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including IT, operations, finance, organizational development, legal, etc. to ensure buy-in, support, and a cohesive vision for emerging technology.
- Collaborate with Information Technology’s IT Director – Security & Risk on vetting potential technology vendors and use cases for information security risks and developing strategies to mitigate those risks.
- Communicate emerging technology strategy, progress, outcomes, and business value to the executive leadership team and other stakeholders.
- Attend water sector and technology webinars, events, and conferences to stay current with latest emerging technology research, trends, and use cases to be an innovative thought leader and apply your knowledge at GLWA.
- Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement by promoting change leadership behaviors and leading by example.
- Identify change impacts to team members and develop ways to integrate emerging technology into operational functions; lead the education and evolution of team member job responsibilities in partnership with Organization Development to support a successful roll out and adoption of the technologies.
- Manage and motivate direct reports, promote effective teamwork, demonstrate continuous learning and encourage innovation in others.
- Develop, recommend, and administer the annual operating budgets, contracts, and invoices to ensure expenditure is controlled, maintained and approved.
- Evaluate, develop, and manage relationships with external vendors and partners to support emerging technology initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and values.
- Conduct due diligence and ongoing performance assessments of vendors and technology partners to ensure compliance and value alignment.
- Ensure compliance with all ethical, organizational and legislative requirements to meet operational, environmental, health and safety standards, and ensure effectiveness and compliance of maintenance and operations.
Required Education and Experience
At the time of application:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, cybersecurity, engineering, construction, or related field, or an equivalent combination of skills, experience, and education is required. Master's degree is preferred.
- Seven (7) years of progressively related and responsible work experience is required. Ten (10) years of technology-related work and leadership experience are preferred.
- Excellent verbal/written communication, collaboration, analytical and presentation skills to lead an environment driven by customer service and teamwork; must be able to set goals and participate in strategic initiatives with a team; ability to interface with all levels of the organization; capability to participate in development of resource plans and structures and influence organizational priorities.
Preferred Experience:
- Artificial intelligence, natural language processing, data science, machine learning, internet-of-things, automation, digital transformation, augmented reality, smart water, and/or digital twins experience.
- Proven experience in bringing emerging technology platforms/solutions to solve business problems and make a positive business impact driving efficiency and effectiveness.
Other Requirements:
- Valid Michigan Driver’s License
- Ability to work irregular hours, to commute to GLWA facilities and work sites, and respond to after hour emergencies and on-call responses
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits package effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment. This includes health, dental, vision, tuition reimbursement, and team member discount programs. Retirement and Retirement Health Savings are effective the first day of employment. Click HERE for more information.
Note: Part-Time employment is not eligible for health benefits, however, is eligible to participate in the 457 Retirement Plan.
GLWA is an equal opportunity employer.
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Top Skills
What We Do
The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is a regional water and sewer authority that services nearly 40 percent of the water customers in Michigan
On June 12, 2015, history was made as the Great Lakes Water Authority and the City of Detroit entered into 40-year leases providing for GLWA’s operation of the regional water and sewer system. On January 1, 2016, GLWA began regional operations. GLWA is an important example of regional collaboration in southeast Michigan, with the City of Detroit, the counties of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb, and the State of Michigan officially uniting to ensure that both city and suburban water and sewer customers have a powerful voice in the management and direction of one of largest water and wastewater utilities in the United States.
With the stand-up of the new authority, GLWA assumed operational, infrastructure improvements, environmental compliance and budget-setting responsibilities for the regional water and sewage treatment plants, major water transmission mains and sewage interceptors, and related facilities. These facilities are leased from the City of Detroit for an allocation of $50 million per year to fund capital improvements for the City of Detroit retail system and/or Detroit’s share of capital improvements to the regional system.
Currently GLWA provides wholesale water and waste water services to 126 municipalities in seven Southeastern Michigan counties, which is equivalent to approximately 3.9 million customers.
In keeping with the spirit of collaboration from which GLWA was created, the authority is governed by a Board of Directors that includes one representative each from Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties as well as two representatives from the City of Detroit, and one appointed by the Governor of the State of Michigan to represent customer communities outside the tri-county area