Manager of Innovation (Systems Operations Mgr.) (Travis County Employees only)

The Manager of Innovation leads and manages initiatives that introduce new technologies, modern practices, and creative solutions across Travis County Information Technology. This role oversees innovation projects, pilots, and programs that improve operations, enhance customer experience, and support strategic modernization goals. The manager ensures innovation activities align with business needs, coordinates cross-department collaboration, evaluates emerging technologies, and manages resources, timelines, and budgets associated with innovation work.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This position is part of the Information Technology job family and is responsible for managing innovation efforts that support organizational improvement and technology modernization. Unlike higher-level executive or director roles, the Manager of Innovation focuses on program execution, stakeholder coordination, and hands-on delivery of innovation initiatives. Work is performed through project teams, vendors, partners, and matrixed staff. The role requires adaptability, creative problem-solving, leverage data to aid in policy decisions and strong communication skills to support evolving organizational priorities. A flexible schedule may be required to meet project deadlines and stakeholder needs.

• Manages and coordinates innovation projects and programs that introduce modern tools, methods, and technologies designed to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.
• Evaluates emerging technologies, industry trends, and innovative practices, and recommends opportunities for pilots, proofs of concept, or implementation within the organization.
• Collaborates with internal departments, external partners, and leadership teams to identify innovation opportunities, define goals, and ensure alignment with enterprise strategies and business needs.
• Leads project teams or matrixed staff assigned to innovation initiatives, providing guidance, coordinating activities, supporting professional development, and fostering a culture of creativity and continuous improvement.
• Ensures technology and innovation efforts are aligned with business strategy and deliver measurable value to internal customers and stakeholders.
• Establishes and maintains innovation standards, processes, and best practices related to technology exploration, evaluation, governance, and implementation.
• Participates in budget development and manages expenditures for innovation-related initiatives, ensuring fiscal responsibility and efficient use of available resources.
• Approves and manages resources and tools used for innovation activities, including pilot environments, research assets, and technology evaluation platforms.
• Works closely with Data Teams to build the innovation ecosystem with good data.
• Manages the day-to-day operations of the innovation lab, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality standards
• Develop and implement metrics and KPIs to track the success of innovation projects and initiatives.
• Keep up to date with industry trends and emerging technologies and use this knowledge to drive innovation within the organization.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
  
  
  

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration or a directly related field AND nine (9) years of relevant work experience, including five (5) years of team lead, supervisory or management experience;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas Driver's License.

Preferred:
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Management and supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
• Policies, practices, procedures and terminology of assigned function.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Information technology hardware, software and peripherals as related to assigned function.
• Operating systems and foundation architecture.
• Network Operating Systems, systems integration and multiple network protocols, such as TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, DHCP, DNS, and SNMP.
• Tasks and processes associated with installing, administering and monitoring complex Ethernet networks.
• Budget preparation and office management.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Managing staff, allocating resources and evaluating programs.
• Leadership, collaboration and negotiation techniques, including contracts, agreements and proposals.
• Managing user expectations and satisfaction.
• Developing and evaluating Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
• Strategic planning, development, monitoring and evaluation.
• Developing and monitoring programs and related budgets.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Both verbal and written communication, including presentations and communicating technical issues in non-technical language.

Ability to:

• Manage, motivate, train, develop and evaluate staff.
• Work independently and efficiently and as part of a team.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Translate policies and objectives into ideas and applications web-based information products.
• Design, install, manage and monitor the most highly complex systems, operating system software and applications.
• Research, compile, analyze, interpret and prepare a variety of memorandums or reports.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies and providers, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 35-40 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment.  Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing, crawling, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions.  Subject to exposure to variations in extreme heat, cold, mechanical, fume/odor, and dust/mites.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday. May work some nights, weekends, holidays.
Location: 700 Lavaca St, Austin, TX
Department: Information Technology
Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.
For updates or questions on this position, contact: [email protected]

This job description is intended to be generic in nature.  It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.  The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.