Director of Learning Technologies & Innovation
Class: Management | Exempt status: Exempt | Grade: O
The Director of Learning Technologies & Innovation has overall responsibility and accountability to provide College-wide leadership, vision, advocacy and support for the effective and innovative use of technology in teaching and learning across multiple modalities. This position provides oversight for the successful adoption and deployment of web and media-based tools, emerging technology, digital platform management, user support, faculty training, and media production and support in alignment with College goals and priorities. The incumbent leads long-range planning efforts for the institution’s learning technologies and support in a multimodal academic environment. This role works closely with Online Learning, Teaching and Learning Support, Academic and Career Pathways leadership, the Office of the Academic Affairs, Effectiveness and Planning, and other stakeholders to research and implement effective and innovative technologies in pursuit of equitable student success. The Director of Learning Technologies & Innovation ensures integration of College systems and technology partners to provide a robust online learning ecosystem.
Leadership competencies
- Advances Racial and Social Justice
Actively works toward the elimination of racism and social oppression; utilizes culturally responsive practices and processes to achieve equitable student and employee outcomes - Drives Vision and Purpose
Participates in the creation of and executes a vision for the College’s mission balancing compliance with flexible, multimodal, inclusive delivery of financial services. - Drives Engagement
Initiates and drives authentic exploration and engagement cross-departmentally to arrive at collaborative solutions that lead to employee and student success. - Accelerates Agility and Innovation
Analyzes systems, policies and practices and commits to continuous program improvement through the strategic use of culturally responsive data. - Builds Partnerships
Partners to solve problems, adapts communication and approaches, supports healthy conflict, and develops strong relationships with associated areas to advance institutional goals.
Our mission
To support student success by delivering access to quality education while advancing economic development and promoting sustainability in a collaborative culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Our vision for equitable student success
Recognizing the unique value, perspectives, strengths, and challenges of every person who comes to PCC for education, all students will achieve their academic goals through equitable support, quality instruction, clear guidance to persist, and an unwavering commitment to completion shared by the entire College community.
Yes to Equitable Student Success (YESS)
Our roadmap to dismantling barriers and building inclusive systems of education and support.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities
- Provides strategic leadership, vision, advocacy and support for the effective and innovative use of College-wide teaching and learning technologies aligned with the strategic goals of the College.
- Directs mission critical technology systems and round the clock support to maintain uninterrupted services and business continuity, including responding to crisis and emergencies.
- Oversees program operations including adoption and deployment of web, media-based tools, emerging technology, management of platforms, user support, faculty training/consultations, and media support and production for instruction. Ensures integration of College systems and technology partners to provide a robust online learning ecosystem.
- Develops and implements culturally responsive and inclusive operations that center on historically underserved and marginalized communities; accountable for flexible service delivery modalities creating access and equitable student outcomes. Promotes accessible design and use of technology in all learning modalities.
- Creates and directs program innovation and growth using an equity lens. Plans and implements a technology roadmap developed in collaboration with the Academic and Career Pathways, Online Learning, Teaching & Learning Support, Disability Services, other College divisions, faculty and students. Manages and reviews the adoption, procurement, and implementation of new technologies and innovative practices through needs assessments, stakeholder engagement, testing, training, and user support.
- Measures and analyzes the impact of operations and infrastructure as it relates to teaching and learning effectiveness, high availability and quality of service for round the clock digital platforms. Develops partnerships with IT and manages external vendor relationships and user support for faculty, staff, and students.
- Exercises leadership in achieving optimal organizational efficiency and effectiveness, including initiatives to improve work processes/policies, enhance systems, staff performance, enrollment, accessibility and revenue.
- Conducts ongoing needs assessment and gap analysis related to system performance, user satisfaction, and projected need. Utilizes data to guide modification of programming for continuous process and outcomes improvement.
- Builds and maintains collaborative and productive partnerships with internal and external partners across Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, administrative/system services, and shared governance bodies in order to integrate College-wide strategic initiative execution (e.g. Strategic Plan, Guided Pathways, Equity & Inclusion Plan, YESS, Pathways to Opportunity).
- Develops, oversees, analyzes, and makes budget decisions in alignment with College strategy, values and priorities. Forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies. Assumes institutional authority for applicable grants, contracts, and technology that directly supports the program and impacts College divisions.
- Drives, implements and promotes advancement of the district’s equity goals and assists in the hiring of a staff that reflects the diversity of the district. Participates in and supports activities that enhance equity-minded recruiting, hiring, and employee retention practices.
- Supervises management, faculty, academic professionals, classified staff, technical/support, and/or student staff. Reinforces staff’s development of PCC’s leadership competencies. Evaluates, supports, and provides guidance on professional development plans and goals for staff in assigned areas of responsibility in accordance with practices, policies, and collective bargaining agreements. Hires, evaluates, trains, disciplines and recommends dismissal of staff as necessary.
- Ensures institutional compliance with federal/state/College regulations, policies, and guidance related to technology use, academic policies, and all related accreditation standards; evaluates and communicates the impact of potential legal or regulatory changes on the College.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Work Environment
Work environment includes frequent disruptions and changes in priorities. Work is generally performed in an office environment with frequent interruptions and irregularities in the work schedule. Working hours may vary and occasional evening or weekend work is required. Frequent travel to other locations is required. No special coordination beyond that used for normal mobility and handling of everyday objects and materials is needed to perform the job satisfactorily.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s Degree and eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience related to the area of assignment (online education, instructional technology), providing program/project management/coordination including six (6) years of experience managing enterprise learning technology systems or computer information systems. Four (4) years of higher education management/supervisory experience. Relevant experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Various modalities, methods and best practices in teaching and learning including, culturally responsive and inclusive pedagogy and practices;
- Web accessibility;
- Learning technologies and support strategies;
- Program development, budgeting, and management;
- Policy and procedure development and administration;
- Public administration and higher education principles and practices;
- Applicable local, state and federal laws, codes, rules, and regulations;
- Health, safety and emergency preparation, business and operational continuity, and response.
Skills in:
- Strategic leadership and management;
- Communicating information, plans, and goals effectively to a variety of audiences;
- Coaching faculty/staff in instructional best practices and effective use of technology;
- Project management and oversight;
- Planning, implementing, improving, and evaluating operations, programs, policies, procedures, financials;
- Evaluating research to identify potential solutions, resolve problems, and provide information;
- Utilizing data and assessment outcomes for communication and making continuous improvements for programs and services.
Ability to:
- Critically interpret data and apply it to responsible decision making in alignment with academic priorities;
- Apply social justice theories into leadership and actions to support equitable student, faculty, and staff outcomes;
- Communicate and execute a vision for student-centered (flexible, multimodal) delivery of instruction and services through oral and written mediums;
- Drive systemic change for racial and social equity and justice;
- Manage and mediate conflict and sensitive topics;
- Counsel, direct, and facilitate professional development of employees while motivating them toward goal achievement.
New: 7/2021
Portland Community College is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other protected class.