Director of IT Advancement and Innovation

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Vice President of Finance, the Director of IT Advancement and Innovation provides leadership and oversight of organizational Information Technology operations and strategy execution. This role directs, plans, and manages IT systems, infrastructure, and innovation initiatives, with a primary focus on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), business intelligence, and emerging technologies to increase efficiency, reduce risk, and support the organization's forward progress. The Director supervises IT staff, oversees the Loss Prevention Officer and organizational camera systems, helps develop technology-related policies and safeguards, and ensures compliance with security and regulatory standards. This position will be a hands-on innovator, Power BI expert, and forward thinker, capable of exploring new tools and solutions that help the agency advance its mission with excellence and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

The following duties are representative of the essential functions of this position. Additional duties may be assigned as operational needs require.

Leadership & Organizational Alignment

• Demonstrates Heart of Texas Goodwill's mission, vision, and values in all actions.
• Provides direct supervision of all IT staff and systems, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
• Collaborates with leadership and departmental teams to identify technology opportunities that advance organizational performance.
• Promotes a culture of workplace safety, accountability, and continuous learning.

Technology, Innovation & Business Intelligence

• Leads the integration and deployment of AI and machine learning solutions across departments to drive efficiency, automation, and improved decision-making.
• Serves as the organizational lead for business intelligence (BI), ensuring advanced use of Power BI and other analytic tools to drive strategic insights.
• Stays abreast of emerging technologies and trends; evaluates and recommends innovative solutions to enhance services and reduce costs.

Security, Compliance & Risk Management

• Oversees the Loss Prevention Officer and organizational camera/security system to ensure operational safety and compliance.
• Implements and enforces IT and cybersecurity policies, protocols, and risk mitigation strategies to protect the agency from data breaches, fraud, and downtime.
• Supports compliance with CARF, PCI, HIPAA, and other applicable regulatory and security standards.
• Ensures continuity and disaster recovery capabilities for critical systems.

IT Operations, Project & Budget Management

• Manages IT-related planning, deployment, and operational activities, including hardware/software selection, infrastructure upgrades, network administration, security monitoring, and vendor management.
• Guides IT-related project management, ensuring initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, and with measurable outcomes.
• Manages the IT budget within parameters set by executive leadership, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources and cost-effective technology investments.

Supervisory Duties

• Recruits, trains, evaluates, and manages IT staff and the Loss Prevention Officer.
• Oversees the daily workflow of the department.
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations.
• Handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• All individuals must pass a drug screen.
•  A criminal background check is required.
• Must have a valid driver's license and pass a motor vehicle report.
• A credit check may be performed. Must maintain a personal vehicle for company travel and maintain minimum liability insurance on the personal vehicle.
• Must be willing to accept instructions and carry them out with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work and cooperate with others.

Education and/or Experience

This position requires a combination of formal education, progressive IT leadership experience, and demonstrated technical expertise, as outlined below.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive IT leadership experience, including AI implementation and enterprise systems management.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of direct supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in Power BI and data analytics required.
• Strong knowledge of AI, machine learning, and advanced technology applications.
• Experience with POS systems, cybersecurity frameworks, and enterprise platforms preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong understanding of IT infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity, and business systems.
• Demonstrated ability to innovate, experiment, and deploy new technology solutions effectively.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and manage projects to successful completion.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel locally as needed.
• Must pass drug screen, background check, and MVR requirements.

Core Competencies

• Leadership & Team Management
• Business Intelligence & Data Analytics (Power BI)

• Cybersecurity & IT Infrastructure
• Innovation & Emerging Technology

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that may be encountered by an employee performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is typically required to:

• Regularly lift and carry 30 pounds and occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Be able to bend, twist, and occasionally move equipment.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Work is performed in an office and operational environment with occasional exposure to dust, noise, and varying conditions. May require travel to district locations.

Employee Acknowledgment

Discrimination Reports

It is the policy of Heart of Texas Goodwill to ensure equal employment opportunity in accordance with all state and federal regulations and guidelines. Employment discrimination against employees and applicants due to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual harassment and pregnancy), national origin, disability, age (40 years old or more), genetic information, military status, or veteran status is illegal. Any employee who believes they have been discriminated against may file a complaint with the Compliance Officer.

Point of Contact: Compliance Officer | 1700 S New Road, Waco TX 76711 | 254-753-7337 ext. 450 | [email protected]