INNOVATION DIRECTOR

 Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed charm with a breathtaking art museum, top-flight cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities, and great restaurants.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

The Position:  With a focus on creativity, technology and strategic vision, the Innovation Director will work with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities for efficiency and collaboration. The Innovation Director will build upon the foundational work performed with Ernst and Young to create the Greater Milwaukee Committee - Reimagining Service Delivery in the City of Milwaukee report as well as the Consolidation Recommendations developed by the Public Policy Forum. 

Strategic Leadership 

Lead strategic planning efforts by assessing needs, recommending policies and ensuring that the public, non-profit and private sector collaborate to advance the efficiency and effective stewardship of City resources. Direct pilot programs and demonstration projects jointly with internal staff that can improve the quality of life in the City and serve as models for other communities. Identify challenges and inefficiencies; work closely with departments to recommend, implement and test solutions.

Innovation and Change Management

Collaborate with stakeholders to assess the operational impact of emerging technologies and provide recommendations to policy makers.  Conduct analyses to identify trends, community needs and opportunities for innovation and creativity, ensuring the City is responsive to changing demands.  Facilitate the identification of and follow through on high-potential innovation projects. Navigate and manage organizational change effectively, ensuring staff is adaptable and open to new concepts. Foster a citywide environment that is conducive to learning and creativity.

Accountability and Engagement 

Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success and impact of initiatives. Develop and implement effective measures of progress toward outcomes and reporting tools to present information. Ensure that the City has mechanisms and strategies for obtaining feedback and input from persons with diverse backgrounds. Communicate regularly and responsively with managers, staff, policy makers, and other stakeholders to ensure access to and accountability for the City’s functions and services. Cultivate and maintain partnerships with public sector, private sector, not-for-profit and academic stakeholders to build and promote initiatives.  Promote and highlight the City’s innovation initiatives before various Boards, Commissions and legislative bodies.

Leadership Development: 

Assist directors and managers in achieving organizational improvement goals, in encouraging the generation of innovative ideas and in guiding those ideas into viable systems and processes. Continuously monitor the organizational climate to ensure accountability of leaders to the organizational mission and vision. Lead cross-functional teams.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

1. A bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, statistics, organizational development or a related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Five years of professional experience in executive leadership, including strategic planning, innovation and change management.
3. Ability to travel independently by using public transportation, walking, biking or driving.

• Master’s degree in business administration, public administration or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Public sector leadership experience.
• Six Sigma, Lean or related certifications.

Technical

• Knowledge of best practices in change management.
• Knowledge of best practices in strategic planning.
• Knowledge of quality improvement processes, practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of training and development.
• Knowledge or organizational development principles and practices.
• Ability to understand emerging technologies and how they may impact an organization.
• Ability to read and understand documents such as laws, policies and technical publications.
• Ability to facilitate recommendations and solutions that are based upon research and informatics.
• Ability to identify emerging trends and to provide information, analysis and interpretation to stakeholders.
• Fiscal management skills.

Leadership

• Ability to foster a culture of innovation, creativity and openness to change. 
• Ability to foster an environment of inclusion where in all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.
• Ability to manage cross-functional teams.
• Ability to facilitate and promote shared responsibility and teamwork.
• Results orientation.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization.
• Ability to ensure projects stay on schedule and within budget.
• Honesty, integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Responsible stewardship of City resources.

Strategic Management

• Skill in short and long-term strategic planning.
• Ability to align innovation efforts with the City’s overall mission and vision.
• Ability to think creatively, identify opportunities and solve complex problems.
• Ability to facilitate and encourage the application of systems thinking.
• Ability to facilitate assessment and planning methodologies.
• Ability to effectively plan, organize and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure.
• Ability to assess organizational assets and resources.
• Ability to facilitate the development of new organizational structures, systems and metrics that support accountability and efficient service delivery.
• Ability to facilitate the identification of meaningful KPIs.

Communication and Relationship Building

• Exemplary communication, public speaking, and presentation skills.
• Written communications skills to craft policies and procedures, reports and correspondence.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, elected officials, representatives of City departments, community organizations, business leaders and other stakeholders, including residents.
• Ability to develop strategic plans that involve the input and engagement of stakeholders.
• Ability to ensure that the City has mechanisms for obtaining feedback and input from persons with diverse backgrounds.

The current salary range (Pay Range 1MX) is $101,356 - $141,906 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $104,397-$146,163 annually.  Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS:

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit:  https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits 

Screening for this position will be based on an evaluation of each applicant’s education, experience, and professional accomplishments, which should be detailed in a resume and cover letter.  

• Please email a resume and cover letter by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 12th, 2024, to krurban@milwaukee.gov. 
• Please indicate “Innovation Director” in the subject line.
• Questions relative to the selection process may be directed to Kristin Hennessy Urban at 414.286.8643 or via email at krurban@milwaukee.gov.

The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process.

INITIAL FILING DATE: The selection process will be conducted as soon as practical after Friday, January 12th, 2024. Receipt of application materials may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• Further information may be accessed by visiting, http://city.milwaukee.gov/jobs.
• If you would like additional assistance, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St., Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.