Director, Emerging Technology and Innovation Programs

Internet2 is a non‑profit, member‑driven advanced research and education (R&E) technology organization. Founded in 1996, we provide high‑performance infrastructure and integrated cloud solutions, a secure trust fabric, and collaborative forums that allow U.S. higher education and research institutions to drive the next generation of scientific and academic discovery through National High‑Performance Infrastructure, Seamless Global Access, Community‑Powered Cloud Solutions, Advanced Identity & Security and Community‑Driven Innovation.

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The Director, Emerging Technology and Innovation Programs leads Internet2's NET+ emerging technology portfolio, setting strategy, managing active service offerings, and building industry partnerships that support the research and higher education community. This role combines strategic vision with hands‑on operational leadership, guiding emerging technologies such as AI, advanced wireless, and quantum‑enabled services from evaluation through adoption as sustainable, community‑supported offerings.

This role will provide leadership for communities of practice and develop resources that help institutions evaluate, adopt, and implement emerging technologies. As a member of the Vice President's management team, the Director, Emerging Technology and Innovation Programs will represent NET+ across industry and higher education forums, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and help align emerging technology initiatives with Internet2's strategic priorities. The Director also supervises and develops the program development team, supporting professional growth and program success.

This role provides a unique opportunity to influence how the higher education and research community evaluates, adopts, and scales emerging technologies, helping shape the future of AI, advanced wireless, and quantum‑enabled services across hundreds of institutions.

• Portfolio strategy and program leadership:
  Set strategic direction and manage day‑to‑day execution for the NET+ emerging technology portfolio, focusing on artificial intelligence (agentic AI, AI security, foundation models), advanced wireless (private 5G, neutral host, LEO satellite), and quantum as a service / secure research enablement while maintaining a forward view of the market and recommending where NET+ should invest, wait, or exit.

• Service ownership:
  Act as primary owner for two to four active NET+ service offerings, with day‑to‑day accountability for vendor relationships, business model and pricing, contract negotiation and renewal, service health, and long‑term sustainability, working with Internet2 contracting, finance, and legal colleagues.

• Industry partnerships and portfolio growth:
  Build and scale strategic, high‑value partnerships with industry leaders to translate emerging technology capabilities into funded, structured programs for higher education and research, while identifying, evaluating, and recruiting new providers to expand the NET+ portfolio.

• Community engagement and knowledge mobilization:
  Provide operational support and leadership for existing communities of practice (e.g., Advanced Wireless, AI) by developing authoritative, enduring community assets, including reference architectures, best practice guides, and implementation playbooks, and represent NET+ across multi‑institutional working groups and industry forums.

• Supervision and staff development:
  Directly supervise, coach, and evaluate the program development team, including hiring, performance management, and professional…