Senior Director-Governance, Strategy, and Innovation

Company: Wake County Public School System
Location: Cary
Posted on: November 22, 2025

Job Description:

Overview: POSITION TITLE (Oracle title) SENIOR DIRECTOR WORKING TITLE Senior Director-Governance, Strategy, and Innovation SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT Technology Services Division (TSD) LOCATION Crossroads II, Cary, NC PAY GRADE Senior Director Band 1 FLSA STATUS Exempt ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT No WORK WEEK SCHEDULE Monday-Friday (occasional evenings and weekends) Position is not available for a hybrid telework workweek POSITION PURPOSE: Provides visionary and executive leadership in shaping and advancing the strategic direction of the Wake County Public Schools (WCPSS) technology ecosystem. Leads the development and execution of transformative strategies that enhance instruction, improve operations, and align with district priorities and long-term goals. Establishes a comprehensive IT Governance framework, oversees enterprise architecture and ed-tech integration, guides major technology projects, and directs the Project Management Office (PMO). Ensures systems are scalable, secure, and equitable while fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across departments. Drives digital transformation and builds a strong foundation for sustainable success. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs) Extensive knowledge in managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering innovative solutions; Comprehensive knowledge aligning technology initiatives with organizational strategy and long-term goals; Considerable knowledge and strategic capabilities in workforce planning and talent development; Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Google Apps; Knowledge with both traditional IT service management and agile methodologies; Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences; Excellent collaboration and relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders; Ability to build consensus and maintain effective working relationships across diverse communities; Ability to demonstrated leadership in driving digital transformation and fostering a culture of innovation. Ability to demonstrate success in leading technology and cultural change in complex environments; Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written forms using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts and feedback; Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal and working relationships with school system staff, students, parents, external agencies, and the public. EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE Bachelor’s degree in business administration, computer science, data science, information science, or a related field; Three years of leadership experience managing district teams and influencing across complex organizational contexts; Experience integrating cross-district processes and strategies; An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience sufficient to perform the essential duties. CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license according to the State of NC requirements. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: PMP, Six Sigma, ITIL, COBIT, or other recognized IT governance certifications. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provides strategic leadership in planning and manages departmental budgets, including fiscal oversight. Oversees enterprise-level systems (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Canvas) to ensure secure and reliable user experiences. Monitors emerging technologies and assess opportunities for innovation. Maintains current knowledge of application systems and plans for upgrades or replacements using industry best practices. Analyzes performance data to drive continuous improvement. Leads governance, change management, configuration management, and data protection processes. Directs IT service management and business process automation initiatives. Defines and manages relationships among people, processes, information, and technology within the enterprise. Develops and presents business capability models and strategic roadmaps to guide decision-making. Partners with business owners to assess requirements and identifies secure, scalable technology solutions. Champions the implementation and adoption of enterprise technical solutions. Builds and maintains partnerships with vendors, industry leaders, and peer organizations. Creates and communicates enterprise architecture documentation to support transparency and alignment. Stays abreast of industry trends and applies emerging technologies to advance district goals. Perform other related duties, as assigned. WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Must be able to use a variety of office equipment such as computers, scanners, and copiers. Must be able to communicate effectively. At times requires the ability to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects up to ten pounds. The work occasionally requires driving automotive equipment. Due to the amount of time spent standing and/or walking, physical requirements are consistent with those for sedentary work. EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/2025 DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required by the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by HR and approved at any time.

Keywords: Wake County Public School System, Cary , Senior Director-Governance, Strategy, and Innovation, IT / Software / Systems , Cary, North Carolina