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Digital Innovation Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

NY · On-site

$210 - $275/hr

... innovation strategy and execution, driving transformational growth across sensing and analytical ... This position reports to the Senior Director, Digital Technologies and Business Integration and ...

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Digital Innovation Director information

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$47.5K

$122.1K

$196.5K

How much do digital innovation director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for digital innovation director in the United States is $122,077.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Digital Innovation Director?

To thrive as a Digital Innovation Director, you need deep expertise in digital strategy, technology trends, and project management, often supported by a degree in business, IT, or a related field. Familiarity with agile methodologies, product management tools like Jira, and certifications such as PMP or Scrum Master are typically valuable. Exceptional leadership, creativity, and stakeholder management skills help drive cross-functional teams and foster a culture of innovation. These abilities are essential for successfully steering digital transformation initiatives and maintaining a competitive edge in dynamic markets.

What is the difference between Digital Innovation Director vs Digital Transformation Manager?

AspectDigital Innovation DirectorDigital Transformation Manager
ResponsibilitiesLeading innovative digital projects, exploring new technologies, driving strategic growthManaging the implementation of digital change, optimizing existing processes, overseeing transformation initiatives
Required SkillsStrategic thinking, innovation management, technology expertiseProject management, change management, process optimization
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, cross-departmental collaboration, strategic planningOperational focus, project execution, team coordination
Common UsageUsed in industries focusing on innovation and future growthUsed in organizations undergoing digital change or modernization

The Digital Innovation Director focuses on pioneering new digital initiatives and exploring emerging technologies to drive growth. In contrast, the Digital Transformation Manager concentrates on managing and executing digital change within existing processes. Both roles require a strong understanding of digital tools, but their scope and focus differ, with the Innovation Director being more strategic and forward-looking, while the Transformation Manager emphasizes operational implementation.

What does a Digital Innovation Director do?

A Digital Innovation Director leads the development and implementation of new digital strategies, technologies, and initiatives within an organization. They identify emerging trends, foster a culture of innovation, and oversee projects that leverage digital tools to improve products, services, or business processes. Their role often involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, evaluating new technologies, and ensuring that digital transformation aligns with the company's overall goals. By driving digital change, they help organizations stay competitive and relevant in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

How does a Digital Innovation Director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive successful initiatives?

A Digital Innovation Director often leads multidisciplinary teams that include IT, marketing, product development, and operations to conceptualize and implement digital transformation projects. This role requires strong communication and stakeholder management skills to align diverse groups around a shared vision, manage resources, and ensure timely delivery of initiatives. Regular workshops, brainstorming sessions, and agile project management practices are commonly used to foster collaboration and adaptability. Building a culture of innovation and continuous feedback is key to overcoming challenges and achieving long-term success.
More about Digital Innovation Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Digital Innovation Director jobs? Cities with the most Digital Innovation Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Digital Innovation jobs? The most popular types of Digital Innovation jobs are:
What states have the most Digital Innovation Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Digital Innovation Director jobs include:
Infographic showing various Digital Innovation Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,077 per year, or $58.7 per hour.

Associate Director, Institute for Digital Innovation

George Mason University

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


George Mason University rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

125th of 617 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Department: Office Rsrch Innov and Econ Impact
Classification: Administrative Faculty
Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)
Location: Arlington, VA
Workplace Type: On Site Required
Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship
Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience
Criminal Background Check: Yes
About the Department:
George Mason University's Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA) is a multidisciplinary research institute designed to position Mason as a global thought leader in our increasingly digital world. More than 200 faculty, along with their students, staff, and collaborators, are engaged in cutting-edge digital innovation research and scholarship that will shape the future of digital civil society. These faculty members are:
  • engaging in critical reflection on the implications of digital innovations to ensure that key stakeholders - including innovators, policy-makers, and the public at large - are informed about related social, ethical, political, and economic impacts;
  • developing, deploying, and evaluating digital technologies in applications across diverse sectors critical to national security and societal wellbeing, such as finance, education, civil infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, entertainment, security, and government;
  • inventing new algorithms, techniques, and technologies that, when well implemented, advance equality, wellbeing, security, and prosperity for all.

IDIA is headquartered in FUSE at Mason Square. More than just a building, FUSE is a dynamic hub designed to foster learning, research, and entrepreneurship. Designed with collaboration at its core, FUSE brings together faculty, students, corporate partners, and the broader community. The facility features specialized labs across digital innovation disciplines, including robotics, AR/VR, simulation, networking, and data visualization.
About the Position:
The Associate Director serves as a collaborative, strategic, and insightful leader to advance successful initiatives aligned with both IDIA's and George Mason's strategic goals. Reporting to IDIA's Executive Director, the Associate Director works closely with the IDIA team, university leadership, and faculty to develop and manage programs and initiatives that catalyze, develop, and scale transdisciplinary research efforts across the university. The Associate Director also works with the Executive Director to connect the university, faculty, and students with key stakeholders - including local, state, and federal agencies, non-governmental and community-based organizations, and private sector partners - to foster external collaboration opportunities for George Mason faculty and students. The Associate Director actively identifies opportunities for strategic engagement within the George Mason community, works with faculty to identify internal and external partnerships essential to expanding their research and scholarship, and cultivates partnerships to facilitate novel research-to-impact initiatives within and across the digital innovation domains.
Responsibilities:
  • Works with the IDIA Executive Director, local Academic units' leadership, and faculty to identify strategic opportunities for building capacity, developing, and scaling faculty-led transdisciplinary research initiatives;
  • Develops programs with external partners that support transdisciplinary research and scholarship within the IDIA community;
  • Supports the development of solutions to advance an emergent George Mason University's Grand Challenge Initiative;
  • Identifies opportunities and prepares proposals to resource partnerships, programs, and initiatives;
  • Provides program management support to help faculty rapidly launch newly acquired large-scale transdisciplinary grants;
  • Communicates regularly with the IDIA community to ensure full participation and active engagement; and
  • Supervises program support staff and student workers as needed.

Required Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
  • Relevant experience (generally 4+ years) managing transdisciplinary research teams and/or partnership development;
  • Broad knowledge of digital innovation, computing, and technology;
  • Strong program and/or project management skills with the ability to manage multiple, simultaneous work streams;
  • Ability to effectively coordinate, communicate, and collaborate with faculty, staff, administrators, sponsors, and stakeholders across multiple disciplines; and
  • Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Terminal degree in a related field;
  • Relevant experience (generally 6+ years) managing transdisciplinary research teams and/or partnership development;
  • Experience working closely with a variety of external stakeholders (local, state, and federal government, private sector, philanthropic organizations, etc.);
  • Experience developing major proposals for external support;
  • Experience working in a large, dispersed university environment;
  • Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills;
  • Ability to effectively cultivate and manage partnerships;
  • Highly effective collaborator and team member;
  • Demonstrates adaptability and resilience to change and complexity; and
  • An understanding of research translation processes.

Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Associate Director, Institute for Digital Innovation at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review.
Posting Open Date: July 20, 2026
For Full Consideration, Apply by: August 10, 2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
Mason Ad Statement
George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 research university committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, offering degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level, along with certificates and credentials.
George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment for students, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. We believe in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancing our mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; and we believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity of origin, identity, circumstance, and thought.
Equity Statement
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
Campus Safety Information
Mason's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/

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