Director: Digital Innovation

Position SummaryTitle Code

Director: Digital Innovation

Job Summary

The Director of Digital Innovation provides strategic leadership for the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the establishment of a robust enterprise data governance program across Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS). Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, this role serves as the district's primary architect and coordinator for AI innovation, data governance, and data stewardship, ensuring that emerging technologies are implemented ethically, securely, and in alignment with instructional, operational, legal, and regulatory requirements. This position collaborates closely with instructional leadership, academic programs, legal counsel, information security, data services, and business units to translate emerging technologies into scalable, value-driven solutions that support student learning, operational efficiency, and informed decision making across the organization.

Additional Work Days/Hours

Based on the assignment, the following additional work days and/or hours may be required as needed:

• Ability to work flexible schedules
• Emergencies
• Evenings/Nights
• Holidays
• Outside of normal business hours
• Weekends
  
  

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Leads the development and execution of AACPS’s enterprise AI strategy, roadmap, and governance model, aligned to district priorities and public sector best practices. Serves as the district subject matter expert on emerging AI capabilities, risks, and trends in K–12 and public sector environments.
• Partners with curriculum, teaching & learning, and school leadership to support evidenced-based, appropriate instructional uses of AI and emerging technologies and tools. Use established rubrics to identify, evaluate, and guide implementation of AI use cases supporting instruction, administration, operations, and decision support.
• Establishes safe, responsible, equitable, and ethical AI practices, including transparency, bias mitigation, privacy protections, and model oversight, consistent with government AI accountability and governance frameworks.
• Coordinates governance of data used by AI solutions to ensure accuracy, integrity, security, and compliance with FERPA, COPPA, and other applicable regulations. Promote data literacy and a culture of responsible data use throughout the organization.
• Monitors, assesses, and pilots emerging technologies with potential value to K 12 education and district operations. Develop scalable frameworks for transitioning pilots into enterprise supported solutions. Ensure alignment between innovation initiatives, IT architecture, cybersecurity, privacy, and operational sustainability.
• Provides clear guidance and communication to executive leadership on emerging technology risks, opportunities, and readiness. Develop policies, standards, and executive briefings related to AI and data governance.
• Collaborates with procurement and legal teams on vendor evaluation, contract language, and compliance related to AI and data usage.
• Designs, implements, and oversees AACPS’s enterprise data governance framework, including policies, standards, roles, and operating procedures. Establish data stewardship, data ownership, and accountability models across departments. Lead data quality, metadata, data lifecycle management, and data ethics initiatives.
• Educates and engages members of the organization on data governance principles, the enterprise data governance framework, and the interdependencies of data sharing across a digital ecosystem. Translates complex data governance concepts into practical guidance, promotes shared accountability for data stewardship, and fosters an organizational culture that understands how data is created, managed, shared, and used to support interoperability, decision-making, and strategic outcomes.
• Chairs or supports cross functional governance bodies related to AI, data, and digital innovation.
• Performs other related duties as assigned within the same classification or lower.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems, Data Science, Computer Science, Public Administration, Education Technology, or a related field of education from a regionally accredited college or university required;
• Master's Degree in a related field of education from a regionally accredited college or university preferred;
  
  

Experience

• Ten (10) years relevant professional experience as a systems administrator or equivalent role, including experience in the design, implementation, administration, and operational support of Microsoft enterprise technologies in a large-scale environment; must include at least three (3) years implementing Microsoft Enterprise Security Solutions (e.g., Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Sentinel, Entra ID, Microsoft Purview, and related security and compliance platforms) required; and
• Seven (7) years related experience in a supervisory or management role with responsibility for leading technical teams, overseeing enterprise security or data governance initiatives, and managing staff, projects, and budgets required; and
• Three (3) years relevant experience designing, implementing, and managing enterprise data classification, data protection, and data governance solutions, including hands-on experience with Microsoft Purview (Information Protection, Data Loss Prevention, Records Management) or equivalent non-Microsoft data classification and governance platforms required; and
• Three (3) years relevant experience leading or implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions and enterprise data governance programs in regulated environments, ensuring alignment with privacy, cybersecurity, and compliance frameworks preferred;
• Three (3) years related experience in K–12 school systems, higher education, or government organizations, with demonstrated understanding of public-sector compliance, student data privacy, and regulatory requirements preferred.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And Other Characteristics

• Strong knowledge of data privacy, security, and compliance requirements relevant to K 12 education.
• Experience leading innovation programs, AI pilots, or enterprise digital transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team environment.
• Demonstrated problem solving abilities.
• Demonstrated project management skills and ability to successfully manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work and communicate with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business technology applications (e.g. Video/Web Conferencing, Microsoft Office Suite -Word, Excel, Outlook, and/or PowerPoint preferred).
  
  

Licenses and Certifications

Employee must retain active licenses, certifications, and enrollment as a condition of employment.

• Hold or be eligible for Professional certifications in data governance, analytics, AI, or information technology (e.g., CDMP, PMP, ITIL, cloud or data certifications) preferred.
• Hold or be eligible for Driver's License (DL) Class C Non-Commercial issued by Maryland or State of Legal Residence (MVA/DMV) required.
• Daily access to reliable transportation.
  
  

Driving Requirements

• Driving is required to conduct bona fide Board business that is within the scope of employment in this position.
• Personal Vehicle
  
  

LEADERSHIP ROLE

• First level supervisor
  
  

People Management

• This position acts as the manager for 1 to 5 direct staff.
• This position manages 1 to 2 departments.
  
  

Management Duties/Responsibilities

• Interviews, selects, and trains employees.
• Directs the work of employees.
• Maintains records for use in supervision.
• Assess employees’ performance (productivity/efficiency) to make promotional recommendation/other status changes.
• Plans the work.
• Determines the techniques to use.
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• Standing: under 1/3 of the time
• Walking: under 1/3 of the time
• Sitting: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Keyboarding: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Talking: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Hearing: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Driving: under 1/3 of the time
• As required by the duties and responsibilities of the position.
  
  

Vision

The vision demands with correction described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• No special vision requirements
  
  

Work Environment

Location

• Office, school or similar indoor environment: over 2/3 of the time
  
  

Noise Level

• Moderate: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
  
  

Weight & Force

Lifting and carrying requirements

• Up to 10 pounds: under 1/3 of the time
  
  

Travel Requirements

• 10% day travel within the county
  
  

JOB INFORMATION

Approved Date: 6/1/2026 Established Date: 7/1/1976 Title Code: B14038 Title: DIRECTOR: DIGITAL INNOVATION Alternate Title: Director: Digital Innovation Reports to Generic: Chief Officer Reports to Specific: OFFICER: CHIEF INFORMATION

ORGANIZATION

Division: Technology Business Unit: Department: Negotiated Agreement: N/A

HR JOB INFORMATION

Unit: VI Days Worked: 260 FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt Grade:

EG02

Click HERE to view Terms of Employment, Benefits and Salary Scale. Scroll down to locate (Unit 6 – Executive Salaries)

Essential Job: Months Worked: 12 Hours Worked: 8 Job Family: Information Technology Sub-Function: Information Security

VR# 26160