Executive Director (InnovateNJ)

The New Jersey Innovation Authority

Organizational Outcomes and Alignment: Supporting and driving organizational planning, advancement, outcomes and achievement

• In close collaboration with the Chief Innovation Officer, work with initiative, project, and functional leads to set, communicate, measure, and reach organizational objectives and impact, and drive the implementation of approaches and tactics that ensure programmatic collaboration and coordination across programs, products, and practice areas.
• Identify, obtain, and, oversee the management of InnovateNJ’s financial resources to ensure that adequate funding is available to advance the organization’s core mission, projects, and outcomes, and that funding is expended effectively, efficiently, and in alignment with all applicable rules, regulations, and policies.
• Oversee and manage the design, implementation, and administration of InnovateNJ policies, processes, and activities that contribute to the continued advancement and evolution of the organization.
• Coordinate with NJIA’s leadership to ensure internal communication and information flows so that the right information is reaching the right team members at the right time.
• Represent InnovateNJ, as needed, with key organizational stakeholders across State government and externally.

Partner Project Governance: Serving as Project Director and primary liaison with InnovateNJ’s fiscal sponsor

• Maintain effective coordination and communication between the InnovateNJ project and its fiscal sponsor, the National Center for Civic Innovation, to ensure seamless operations and compliance.
• Ensure all program financial activities are conducted through the fiscal sponsor in full compliance with tax-exempt requirements, with proper documentation, approvals, and controls in place for expenditures and contractual commitments.
• Establish and maintain a compliant workforce that adheres to fiscal sponsor personnel policies, ethical standards, and conflict of interest requirements, with appropriate approvals and documentation for all hiring decisions.
• Secure and maintain positive donor relationships through compliant contribution processing, timely acknowledgments, and accurate reporting that meets both IRS and donor requirements.
• Ensure ongoing alignment between InnovateNJ activities and fiscal sponsor policies, procedures, and mission requirements, obtaining necessary approvals for any programmatic changes.

Compliance and Regulatory Affairs: Navigating government, regulatory, and compliance processes and procedures to advance the organization’s mission and work

Ensure that all InnovateNJ activities are executed in a compliant manner, consistent with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and funding agreements.
Provide programmatic support to project teams to ensure that product and project goals and objectives can be met in a manner consistent with requirements.
In collaboration with NJIA leadership, guide project teams in navigating processes and requirements, and support the development of creative and sustainable solutions to challenges that inhibit the advancement of core initiatives and projects.

Organizational Talent: Ensure organizational talent needs are met

Oversee InnovateNJ’s efforts to identify talent needs, and attract and retain top-tier talent to advance the organization’s mission and objectives.
Work with team members to develop and advance practices that promote and encourage the healthy evolution of organizational culture.

Do what’s needed for the team

• Execute additional duties and responsibilities to advance the organization’s mission and work.

Experience, Skills, and Abilities

Applicants will be assessed based on a demonstrated ability to accomplish the above-discussed responsibilities. We are seeking individuals with the following experience, expertise, skills, and abilities:

• 10+ years of relevant experience required, as is a demonstrated and deep commitment to public service and impact.
• 5+ years of direct personnel oversight and management experience.
• 3+ years of senior executive leadership experience in the non-profit or digital service delivery field, overseeing an organization or division of similar size and scope ($20MM operating budget, 75+ staff members, etc.).
• Proven expertise in, and deep understanding of, government budgeting, policy and administration processes.
• Demonstrated ability to solve diverse problems in highly ambiguous settings, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• A demonstrable ability to rapidly context switch, re-prioritize tasks, and address in-demand team and stakeholder needs with speed and agility.
• Exceptional communication and people management skills with the ability to build, maintain, and grow professional relationships.
• Demonstrated success in navigating government bureaucracies and institutions, operating in a highly-regulated environment, and achieving desired outcomes.
• Experience with, and understanding of, innovation practices in government and/or large institutions, including the use of data to drive decision-making, and approaching problem-solving collaboratively and in an agile manner.
• Willingness to be available as needed during off hours for occasional rapid/crisis response.
• Ability to travel to Trenton, NJ with limited notice.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required; advanced degree such as a J.D., MBA, or master’s degree in public administration, public policy, public finance or another field related to job responsibilities and qualifications is preferred.
• Dedicated to advancing the mission of the NJ Innovation Authority and public service, with a strong commitment to accessibility and fostering a more inclusive society.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer

Eligibility