City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Chief Innovation Officer

Under the director of the City Manager’s Office, the Chief Innovation Officer will work with internal and external partners on behalf of the City Manager to develop, test, organize and encourage innovative best practices in local government administration with the goal of fostering a culture of innovation within the City of Austin. 

1. Develops demonstration projects that can improve the quality of life in Austin, jointly with internal staff, and serves as models for other communities. 
2. Develops and manages a life-cycle process for test projects, to include design, deployment, testing, and performance evaluation.
3. Serves as a consultant and facilitator for City employees, local businesses, and organizations seeking to develop new solutions to civic challenges.
4. Forges partnerships with local community groups, companies, universities, and school systems that can support the research and development of innovative solutions.
5. Assists internal and external partners in the identification of resources necessary to support innovation.
6. Plans and executes programs that promote local development of innovative solutions.
7. Represents the City and serves as liaison and convener with other Local, State, and Federal agencies and related NGOs to align community innovation with broader regional and national programs.
8. Explores and imports innovations from other communities for testing where they may be applicable.
9. Works in partnership with the CIO on identification, development, and testing of civic technologies and projects that advance the City’s Open Government mission.
10. Meets regularly with City of Austin leadership, Council Committees, and community boards to facilitate breakthrough idea development.
11. Is responsible for the creation, development, monitoring, and administering the Innovation Office budget.
12. Is responsible for leadership of multi-functional, cross-departmental teams that may consist of employees from all levels of the organization.  

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling and recommendation for dismissal. 

• Knowledge of best practices and available tools for insourcing, crowdsourcing and community-sourcing innovative solutions.
• Knowledge of the principles and methods for lean startup and rapid prototyping of projects.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning, performance management and budget administration.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of the principles of open government, transparency and community engagement.
• Skill in recognizing transformational opportunities and applying them in a real-world setting.
• Skill in handling and prioritizing multiple tasks and projects.
• Skill in collecting, analyzing and interpreting applicable research data.
• Skill in preparing and analyzing budgets, reports and studies.
• Skill in identifying and securing alternative funding sources for projects.
• Skill in facilitating organizational change initiatives.
• Ability to inspire creative thought and problem-solving that can transform our service to residents.
• Ability to forge partnerships within and outside of an organization in pursuit of innovative breakthroughs.
• Ability to work with internal leadership on projects that can unleash the creative potential of staff at all levels of a large organization.
• Ability to maintain effective communication and working relationships with Boards and Commissions, City executives, City employees, and the public.
• Ability to develop strategic direction and program priorities collaboratively with multiple stakeholders within and outside of government. 

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, plus seven (7) years of work experience that demonstrates organizational development, creative leadership, and change management skills.