Director of Emerging Technology & Innovation

Before we get into the specifics of the role, there are a few things we want you to know:

At the Orlando Magic, our approach is to not only learn as much about you as we can, but for you to learn about us. This is definitely a two-way street, so time with your potential new leader, teammates, and/or other departments that the role will work with is critical. It isn't just, "what are we looking for", but also, "what do we have to offer you" and "are we the right fit for you."

While every position is different, our interview process is typically a three-step process, sometimes more depending on the level and nature of the role.

What we offer you for this role:

* 24 days of personal time off per year + 13 holidays (that is 37 paid days off year!) plus reduced summer work hours (every other Friday off during the off-season, which averages to another 8 days)

* A hybrid work model, deferred compensation, casual work attire on non-game days, staff tickets to Magic home games, learning and development opportunities, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), company sponsored events, volunteer opportunities & outings for every employee

* Fantastic benefits that include: medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company matching, mental wellness resources, subsidized gym memberships, maternity & paternity leave

* Culture built on Community, Innovation, Legendary and Teamwork!

A quick summary about the Director of Emerging Technology & Innovation role:

The Director of Emerging Technology & Innovation for the Orlando Magic will drive the adoption and integration of cutting-edge technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other emerging innovations to enhance business performance, streamline operations, and deliver groundbreaking fan experiences. You will lead innovation and technology-focused research and development, manage key initiatives, and foster a culture of innovation throughout the organization.

The Director of Emerging Technology & Innovation will act as project manager for the organization's business-focused A.I. strategy, taking direction from the Sr. Director of Digital Innovation as well as other organizational leaders and working groups. You will manage recurring A.I. Governance and other emerging technology and vendor meetings, including setting agenda, researching and preparing materials, and co-leading meeting execution, strategy implementation, and other action items.

Additionally, you will be responsible for leading the Magic's Innovation Program. This includes oversight of the Magic's Innovation Lab programming and acting as a facilitator for organizational innovation projects/events, leading staff-wide programs to grow the spirit of innovation, managing relationships with innovation vendors, and providing project management over special innovation-focused projects and initiatives.

What the Director of Emerging Technology & Innovation will do:

Emerging Technology Identification, Integration & Application:

* Drive organizational adoption of AI solutions/tools and insights through education and engagement while advocating for AI literacy across the organization.

* Lead the identification, evaluation, and integration of new technologies (AI, VR, machine learning, blockchain, etc.) to enhance organizational performance across various departments (e.g., operations, marketing, sales, performance analytics, fan engagement).

* Lead exploration and implementation with emerging AI and other technologies - including generative AI, computer vision, natural language processing, etc.

* Oversee AI and emerging tech proof-of-concepts (POCs) and pilot programs; define metrics for success and help teams scale operationalize results.

* Spearhead initiatives that improve fan engagement, and business operations through AI-driven analytics, virtual reality training, and other innovative solutions.

* Evaluate new digital technologies (virtual / augmented reality, wearable tech, etc.) and manage the organization's physical tech library program to help procure, evaluate, and assess the business viability, and comprehensive areas of implementation, for emerging technologies into future business and customer strategies.

Innovation Culture Leadership:

* Cultivate and promote a culture of creativity and innovation within the organization, encouraging cross-departmental collaboration to explore new technological frontiers.

* Facilitate workshops, idea-generation sessions, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to foster innovative thinking at all levels.

* Assist in management of various innovation meetings, including developing agendas and presentations/reports

Technology Research & Development (R&D):

* Oversee the R&D process to explore new trends, evaluate potential opportunities, and conduct feasibility studies for emerging technologies.

* Lead the testing, prototyping, and implementation of new solutions that improve internal processes and enhance the fan experience.

* Work closely with technology partners, universities, and other institutions to stay…