Associate Director, Digital Strategy & Innovation

Company Overview

Intentional Futures is an idea-to-impact consultancy dedicated to working with visionary leaders to solve meaningful problems. Our clients are change agents who believe in creating a better world. We are seeking an Associate Director of Digital Strategy & Innovation who will serve as a trusted guide and thought partner to our team and clients.

We are a dynamic firm of researchers, strategists, and designers tackling complex challenges across corporations, nonprofits, and family foundations. We are looking for a self-motivated and skilled strategist with extensive project leadership and mentoring experience to join our team!

At Intentional Futures, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that a team with diverse backgrounds enhances our ability to serve clients, support one another, and fulfill our mission. As an equal opportunity employer, iF considers all applications regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class. We strongly encourage people of color, women, and LGBTQIA+ individuals to apply.

We take leadership and professional development seriously and are dedicated to investing in your growth and goals.

Job Summary

The Associate Director (AD) of Digital Strategy & Innovation (DSI) will set a strong standard for strategic thought leadership and effective project and client management for large, complex projects that leverage technology to address human and organizational challenges. The AD will engage deeply across a variety of topics, maintaining familiarity with multiple projects and alternating between leading strategic development and providing insightful guidance to project teams.

The successful candidate will utilize their experience to generate innovative insights and communicate them clearly through accessible language and visual representations. They will also design iterative frameworks and create innovative solutions that inspire “a-ha” moments for our clients. The AD will collaborate with our Director of Digital Strategy & Innovation to apply human and equity-centered approaches to develop technology strategies and solutions that drive impact across sectors, including technology, philanthropy, social impact, digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity, fintech, and artificial intelligence for clients across the nonprofit and for-profit ecosystems.

As a valuable thought partner to the Director of DSI and other iF practice areas, the Associate Director will mentor team members, foster established client relationships, and inspire creativity in problem-solving. We welcome diverse and non-traditional paths into iF, recognizing the unique backgrounds and experiences each team member brings.

Who You Are

You possess an enthusiastic passion for the tech industry and digital technologies, coupled with a relentless curiosity about what drives market success. You enjoy delving deep into new topics and thrive in engaging conversations where you listen thoughtfully to diverse perspectives. You proactively build inclusive client relationships, understanding their needs to identify project opportunities and maximize iF’s impact. You flourish in a hybrid, often remote, and highly collaborative environment, motivating your teams and direct reports through empathy and a growth mindset.

Responsibilities and Duties

Project Leadership and Management

• Lead multiple client-facing projects to develop impactful deliverables in environments often characterized by ambiguity.
• Manage and mentor project leaders and client relationships simultaneously, fostering shared responsibility for client success.
• Guide collaborative project teams, including strategists, visual/graphic designers, and technologists, through scoping, budgeting, research, and delivery.
• Oversee a multi-disciplinary team to craft research plans, develop points of view, and create narratives that engage audiences through various formats such as interactive presentations, tech reports, and visual representations.
• Analyze and distill large volumes of information on topics like “AI in Education,” “The Future of Data Privacy and Security,” or “Digital Public Infrastructure” into key insights and frameworks.
• Contribute to research, ideation, creative development, and project asset delivery across iF practices.
• Manage time effectively across multiple demanding priorities (client projects and internal initiatives).

Client Management and Business Development

• Engage in networking to drive lead development and relationship management while contributing to innovative, successful proposals.
• Advocate for client needs while managing expectations and fostering strong collaboration.
• Maintain key client relationships, ensuring open communication that cultivates collaboration, generates ideas for improvement, and identifies ongoing partnership opportunities.
• Participate in thought leadership publishing and public speaking engagements as appropriate.

People Mentorship and Development

• Mentor, coach, and train strategists to enhance their skills in client management, project management, framework development, strategy development, and stakeholder alignment.
• Share knowledge about the technology industry and iF practice areas, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and technology best practices.
• Foster a comprehensive understanding of your team’s and peers’ professional goals to support their career development, cultivating opportunities for one another.
• Refine and improve DSI methodologies, tools, and approaches, leading efforts to enhance team capabilities and deliver exceptional results.

Core Qualifications and Skills

• 7+ years of experience in technology product development and/or technology market analysis, including project management, strategy, or consulting experience with a demonstrated record of success.
• BA/BS or equivalent years of related work experience.
• Exceptional facilitation skills with the ability to guide diverse stakeholders through complex conversations with strategic and diplomatic finesse.
• Proven experience translating complex information into clear and compelling strategic narratives accessible to multiple audiences.
• Strategic thinker who can tackle problems from various perspectives using a human-centered approach (integrating both quantitative and qualitative inputs).
• Strong relationship-building skills to navigate challenges and ambiguity with clients.
• Excellent desk research skills and familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Deep passion for innovation and emerging technologies.
• Strong appreciation for diversity, including cultural, work style, and interpersonal perspectives.
• Goal-oriented self-starter capable of managing multiple workstreams and deadlines while assisting others in tracking their responsibilities.
• Proficient in standard office tools (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Google Suite) and eager to master new tools (AI, Airtable, HubSpot, Parallax).

Bonus Experience & Skills

• An MA, MBA, or a related master’s level degree in technology.
• Understanding of or experience with design thinking and its application to strategy.
• Interest in trends across culture, people, business, and climate, particularly in relation to emerging technologies.
• Experience in financial analysis, EdTech, and business case development.

Salary, Benefits, & Additional Information

At Intentional Futures, we conduct extensive market research to determine competitive salaries for our roles. It is important to note that individuals are typically not hired at or near the top of the salary range for any position; compensation decisions are based on individual circumstances. For this role, the salary range is $95,000 to $120,000 annually, with potential for an annual performance-based bonus.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Healthcare coverage including domestic partner benefits
• Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Account options
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability coverage
• Paid parental and adoption leave
• 4% 401K match
• Paid time off
• Access to Learning and Development Resources
• Subsidized ORCA Card

While our team often works remotely, candidates should be able to travel to our Seattle-based office when necessary. We are unable to offer relocation packages, but we welcome applicants from outside the greater Seattle area. Please note that iF cannot provide work visa sponsorship at this time.

We are committed to keeping all candidates informed about next steps. You can expect a response within 2-4 weeks from the posting date, pending the applicant pool. Preferred candidates will be moved forward to phone screens.
 

iF Values

• Imagination: We actively seek out and explore novel perspectives, ideas, and approaches to problem-solving.
• Excellence: We pursue solutions that thoughtfully address real issues with dedication and passion.
• Teamwork: We harness the combined strengths of clients, partners, and one another through effective collaboration.

If you share our passion for exploring the unknown and driving meaningful change, we encourage you to apply!
Job posted on 2024.10.28