Director, Emerging Technology and Innovation Programs in Ann Arbor, Michigan at Internet2

Director, Emerging Technology and Innovation Programs - Remote

Job Description:

Internet2 is a non-profit, member-driven advanced research and education (R&E) technology organization. Founded in 1996, we provide high-performance infrastructure and integrated cloud solutions, a secure trust fabric, and collaborative forums that allow U.S. higher education and research institutions to drive the next generation of scientific and academic discovery through National High-Performance Infrastructure, Seamless Global Access, Community-Powered Cloud Solutions, Advanced Identity & Security and Community-Driven Innovation. Read our 2025 Annual Report and visit our website (www.internet2.edu) to learn more about us.

Position Summary:
The Director, Emerging Technology and Innovation Programs leads Internet2's NET+ emerging technology portfolio, setting strategy, managing active service offerings, and building industry partnerships that support the research and higher education community. This role combines strategic vision with hands-on operational leadership, guiding emerging technologies such as AI, advanced wireless, and quantum-enabled services from evaluation through adoption as sustainable, community-supported offerings.

This role will provide leadership for communities of practice and develop resources that help institutions evaluate, adopt, and implement emerging technologies. As a member of the Vice President's management team, the Director, Emerging Technology and Innovation Programs will represent NET+ across industry and higher education forums, fosters collaboration among stakeholders, and helps align emerging technology initiatives with Internet2's strategic priorities. The Director also supervises and develops the program development team, supporting professional growth and program success.

This role provides a unique opportunity to influence how the higher education and research community evaluates, adopts, and scales emerging technologies, helping shape the future of AI, advanced wireless, and quantum-enabled services across hundreds of institutions.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Portfolio strategy and program leadership: Set strategic direction and manage day-to-day execution for the NET+ emerging technology portfolio, focusing on artificial intelligence (agentic AI, AI security, foundation models), advanced wireless (private 5G, neutral host, LEO satellite), and quantum as a service / secure research enablement while maintaining a forward view of the market and recommending where NET+ should invest, wait, or exit.

• Service ownership: Act as primary owner for two to four active NET+ service offerings, with day-to-day accountability for vendor relationships, business model and pricing, contract negotiation and renewal, service health, and long-term sustainability, working with Internet2 contracting, finance, and legal colleagues.

• Industry partnerships and portfolio growth: Build and scale strategic, high-value partnerships with industry leaders to translate emerging technology capabilities into funded, structured programs for higher education and research, while identifying, evaluating, and recruiting new providers to expand the NET+ portfolio.

• Community engagement and knowledge mobilization: Provide operational support and leadership for existing communities of practice (e.g., Advanced Wireless, AI) by developing authoritative, enduring community assets, including reference architectures, best practice guides, and implementation playbooks, and represent NET+ across multi-institutional working groups and industry forums.

• Supervision and staff development: Directly supervise, coach, and evaluate the program development team, including hiring, performance management, and professional development.

• Cross-organizational leadership: Serve as an active member of the Vice President’s management team; align emerging technology initiatives with Internet2 priorities; and partner with marketing and communications, community programs, and other business units on shared goals.

The Ideal Candidate is a:

• Strategic technology leader with a proven track record of advancing enterprise, cloud, and emerging technology initiatives while building strong industry partnerships and driving service innovation.

• Technical and business translator who can bridge complex technologies and business needs, effectively communicating with technical experts, executives, and community stakeholders.

• Collaborative people leader with experience developing teams, building consensus across diverse stakeholders, and working within higher education, research, or other mission-driven environments.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise technology platforms, cloud strategy, or emerging technology programs.

• Demonstrated experience evaluating emerging technologies, assessing market opportunities, and developing strategic recommendations that inform investment, adoption, or portfolio decisions.

• Demonstrated depth in enterprise platforms, cloud, or emerging technology, with the ability to converse fluently with both practicing technologists and executive leaders.

• Proven history of negotiating, co-developing, or managing industry partnerships and multi-institutional technology programs, including commercial terms, business models, and contracts.

• Ability to manage a portfolio of concurrent commitments, establish priorities, resolve issues, and deliver results with minimal guidance.

• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and build consensus across matrixed, multi-stakeholder environments.

• Proficiency with collaboration and productivity tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack) and comfort building analyses and presentations for executive audiences.

• Exceptional written and verbal skill in translating dense technical concepts into clear, actionable resources for technical and non-technical audiences.

• Experience hiring, supervising, coaching, and evaluating professional staff, or comparable experience leading professional teams.

• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience with one or more portfolio priority areas: agentic AI, AI security, or foundation model services; private 5G, AI-RAN and Open RAN, neutral host, or LEO satellite connectivity; or quantum computing services and secure research enablement.

• Exposure to, and working knowledge of, quantum networking, post-quantum cryptography, and eduroam/OpenRoaming integration — areas owned by other Internet2 teams but requiring close, effective partnership with this role.

• Working knowledge of requirements common to higher education technology procurement (e.g., accessibility, data protection, security review practices such as HECVAT).

• Experience in higher education or research IT leadership, or sustained experience working with that community.

• Familiarity with NET+, InCommon, or comparable community-governed service programs, shared evaluation, and cooperative purchasing models.

• Demonstrated experience producing published technical artifacts such as reference architectures, evaluation frameworks, implementation playbooks, or other practitioner-focused guidance.

• Demonstrated ability to originate and close industry-funded revenue that materially grows funding for technology programs beyond membership dues through things like sponsorships, co-investment, or revenue-sharing agreements with commercial partners.

What We Offer:

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible to participate in Internet2’s employee benefits program effective on your start date in accordance with the terms and conditions of each plan. The program currently includes medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, a health spending account program, sick time, vacation time and a tax deferred retirement plan.

Expected Hiring Range: B-9

Pay Grade: $146,500 - $164,800

Starting salary is commensurate and may vary with experience and education.

For pay transparency purposes, the full salary range is: $146,500 - $219,800

Internet2 is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and equal opportunity employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.