Associate Director, Technology Strategy Innovation

We are seeking an Associate Director, Technology Strategy & Innovation to drive strategic technology alignment, innovation initiatives, data-driven decision-making, and AI adoption across business and technology teams. This role operates at the intersection of business strategy, data, advanced analytics, and emerging technology, serving as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders. You will help shape technology roadmaps, lead complex cross-functional initiatives, prototype solutions, and champion innovation that improves business performance, efficiency, and scalability. This is a senior individual contributor and leadership role suited for someone who thrives in fast-paced, high-impact environments, excels in ambiguous problem-solving, and can translate complex technology into measurable business outcomes. Key Responsibilities Strategic Business & Technology Partnering Act as a senior technology advisor to business leaders and functional teams Lead executive-level governance forums to align business priorities, roadmaps, risks, and delivery outcomes Anticipate technology implications of business expansion, new initiatives, and operational transformation Bridge business agility and IT governance, ensuring innovation without compromising stability, compliance, or scalability Translate strategic objectives into scalable, enterprise-ready technology plans Technical Analysis, Prototyping & Data Strategy Leverage SQL and Python to analyze enterprise datasets and validate business logic Build proof-of-concepts, rapid prototypes, and data-driven insights to test ideas before engineering implementation Assess data quality, integrity, and system outputs to ensure accurate reporting and analytics Partner with engineering and delivery teams to ensure solutions align with real operational needs and workflows Innovation, AI & Advanced Analytics Leadership Serve as a subject matter expert on AI/ML applications in business contexts Identify and prioritize high-impact use cases for Generative AI, Predictive Analytics, and Intelligent Automation Educate business leaders on AI model behavior, risks, limitations, governance, and value potential Champion AI adoption to improve decision intelligence, productivity, and operational efficiency Monitor emerging technology trends, digital innovation, and industry best practices Develop and maintain a technology and innovation roadmap aligned with business strategy Leadership, Influence & Delivery Excellence Lead cross-functional collaboration across Business, Data, Engineering, Product, and Operations teams Influence senior leaders and manage competing priorities in high-pressure environments Apply structured thinking and data-driven frameworks to solve complex, ambiguous business challenges Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, continuous improvement, and technical excellence Mentor team members and contribute to organizational capability building Required Qualifications Experience & Domain Expertise 7–10+ years of experience in Technology Strategy, Data, Digital Transformation, or Enterprise Systems Proven experience advising senior business stakeholders and executive leadership Strong understanding of enterprise platforms, data ecosystems, and technology operating models Experience working in large-scale, complex organizations or regulated environments Technical Skills Advanced proficiency in SQL (complex joins, data modeling, optimization) Strong proficiency in Python for analytics, automation, and prototyping (pandas, numpy) Solid understanding of AI/ML concepts and practical business applications Experience translating data science concepts into real-world business workflows Comfortable working with large datasets, analytics platforms, and data pipelines Soft Skills & Leadership Traits Exceptional communication, executive presence, and stakeholder influence Ability to simplify and explain complex technical topics to non-technical audiences Strong strategic mindset with an enterprise-wide perspective Confident decision-maker in high-impact, high-ambiguity environments Proven ability to challenge assumptions, prioritize effectively, and drive outcomes Education Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field MBA, Masters degree, or relevant certifications are a strong advantage