Innovation Coordinator

Are you a collaborative, curious, and process-minded technology professional who enjoys helping people work smarter? The City of Lake Forest is seeking an Innovation Coordinator to support City-wide innovation, technology implementation, business process improvement, and organizational change initiatives.

This full-time role works closely with City departments to understand operational needs, improve workflows, support technology adoption, and help ensure software and systems are used effectively to improve efficiency and service delivery. The Innovation Coordinator serves as a primary point of contact between departments, Innovation and Technology staff, and vendors during technology and process improvement projects.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys solving problems, translating business needs into practical technology solutions, supporting users through change, and balancing project work with hands-on technical support in a public service environment.

Why Join the City of Lake Forest?

• Help City departments improve processes, strengthen service delivery, and make better use of technology.
• Work on a wide variety of projects that support operations across the organization.
• Use your business analysis, project coordination, communication, and technical support skills in a meaningful public service setting.
• Be part of a collaborative Innovation and Technology team that values problem-solving, continuous improvement, and responsive service.
• Support technology adoption in a way that helps employees feel informed, prepared, and supported.

• Review business processes and identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, automate, or improve operations through technology.

• Work with City departments to understand operational needs, challenges, workflows, and goals.
• Translate department needs into clear business and technical requirements for IT staff, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Support technology and process improvement projects from planning through implementation.
• Coordinate project plans, timelines, milestones, deliverables, testing, training, implementation, and post-implementation follow-up.
• Develop project documentation, requirements, workflows, process maps, procedures, user guides, training materials, and communications.
• Support successful technology adoption through change communication, training coordination, feedback, and follow-up.
• Provide responsive, customer-focused technology support through the helpdesk ticketing system and direct user assistance.
• Assist with software deployments, system upgrades, technology rollouts, Microsoft 365, Active Directory, procurement, vendor coordination, inventory, and other IT operational initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.

• More than five years of experience in project management, project coordination, business analysis, technology implementation, process improvement, IT support, or a related technology/business systems environment preferred.
• Experience in municipal government, local government, or another public-sector environment preferred.
• Relevant technical or professional certifications preferred, including CompTIA, Microsoft, ITIL, PMP, CAPM, Prosci Change Management, Lean Six Sigma, or similar credentials.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to coordinate multiple projects, timelines, deliverables, risks, issues, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of business analysis, process improvement, project coordination, technology implementation, and organizational change management principles.
• Strong interpersonal, customer service, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
• General understanding of computer hardware, software, networking, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, Microsoft 365, and helpdesk support practices.
• Ability to learn new technologies, build productive relationships, support change, and balance strategic project work with day-to-day operational support.

Full Benefits Package

• Full salary range: $82,377 - $114,290, depending on qualifications
• Insurance: Medical (PPO/HMO), dental, vision
• Leave: 13 paid holidays, front-loaded vacation and sick time, parental leave
• Retirement: IMRF pension, plus 457(b) and Roth options
• Additional Benefits: Tuition reimbursement, Employee Assistance Program, legal and life coverage, Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, longevity bonuses, and annual merit bonus opportunities based on exceptional performance

Interested applicants are encouraged to review the full job description here: Innovation Coordinator Job Description

The City of Lake Forest is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences.