Chief Innovation Officer

Job Summary

The CIO is responsible for working with the executive team to lead innovation strategy, drive new product and service development (e.g. changemaking initiatives), foster a culture of collaboration and creativity, and ensure BGCGM is able to respond to emerging complexities, all while aligning efforts with the overall organizational goals.

Responsibilities

Following is a list of some of the primary responsibilities of the CIO:

• Supporting the Senior Leadership Team (SLT):
  
  

Working with the SLT to help build collaboration and innovation into their current practices and portfolios as appropriate.

• CEO and Chief of Staff Support:
  
  

Supporting the CEO and Chief of Staff with advice, outreach, fundraising, partnerships, relationship building/ management, strategy, etc. if and when requested.

• System and Field Analysis: Creating and updating an asset/ systems map of organizations serving the same/ similar populations in Greater Milwaukee with the goal of both finding innovative leverage opportunities and avoiding redundancies/ conflicts.
• Developing Innovation Strategy and Products/Services: Creating a comprehensive innovation roadmap, identifying key areas for focus, and helping to secure necessary resources to support innovation initiatives. This would prioritize both internal and external changemaking initiatives/ programming. One particular area of focus is contemplated to be middle to late adolescents. Another might be a focus on civic engagement. Specific contemplated products might include changemaking challenges, certificates, programs, tools, curriculum, and the like.
• Team Idea Generation and Evaluation: Building and fostering a culture of collaboration and creativity by helping to empower team members to generate and evaluate their own ideas for solving problems and creating new opportunities.
• Prototype Development and Testing: Overseeing the development of prototypes and conducting testing to validate new ideas and refine solutions before launch.
• Innovation Portfolio Management: Creating and managing a portfolio of innovation projects, balancing high-risk/high-reward initiatives with more incremental innovations.
• Innovation Onboarding and Integration: Leading the implementation of new innovations within the organization, addressing potential resistance and ensuring smooth adoption across teams.
• External Partnerships: Building relationships with external partners to access new resources and create new opportunities. This may include colleges/universities, students, foundations, nonprofits, enterprises, Ashoka, and the like.
• Growth and Scaling:
  
  

Resources and strategy permitting, scaling successful innovations locally, regionally, and nationally.

• Metrics and Reporting: Tracking the performance of innovation initiatives, measuring key metrics, and reporting on progress to senior leadership.
  
  

Requirements

Educational Background:

• A bachelor's degree in business, technology, engineering, or a related field.
• An advanced degree (e.g., MBA or a master's in a technical discipline) is often preferred.
  
  

Relevant Experience

• At least 10 years of experience in roles related to innovation, product development, or strategic management and/ or planning, with experience in social innovation and/ or social enterprise.
• A proven track record of successfully leading innovation initiatives or digital transformation projects.
  
  

Skills

Leadership and Change Management:

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive change within an organization.
• Experience managing projects from ideation through execution with tangible "impact" outcomes that relate to improving human well- being.
  
  

Strategic Thinking

• Strong strategic planning skills with a focus on long-term innovation and social value.
• Ability to identify emerging trends and translate them into actionable business strategies.
  
  

Communication And Collaboration

• Excellent communication skills to articulate vision and influence partners and stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience working collaboratively across departments and with external partners.
  
  

Analytical And Creative Problem-Solving

• Strong analytical skills to assess market opportunities and ROI and social ROI from innovation initiatives.
• Creative mindset to think outside the box and challenge the status quo.
  
  

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to touch, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

As an employee of BGCGM, I have read and understand the requirements of my job and

Responsibilities As Stated In This Job Description.

Further, I understand that my job duties as well as policies and procedures may change over the course of my employment.

Finally, I have read the mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs and feel confident that I can create value for the organization by carrying out my assigned duties to further the work of the Clubs.