The city of Dallas is looking to hire a chief innovation officer who can move the city forward in a more complex, data- and technology-driven world.

The job posting is set to close on March 13. 

The position reports to the city manager’s office, and the person who fills it will serve as a management consultant to city departments “to develop and encourage data-driven best practices in municipal government and foster a culture of innovation, efficiency, and process improvement,” according to the posting. 

“The chief innovation officer role at the city will bring a transformational internal resource in driving a cross-cutting and integrated strategy across city operations …”

Jennifer Sanders

Jennifer Sanders, executive director of Dallas Innovation Alliance, said the position is an important one as the city moves forward with the Smart Dallas strategy.

“The chief innovation officer role at the city will bring a transformational internal resource in driving a cross-cutting and integrated strategy across city operations in partnership with the Smart Dallas strategy led by Chief Information Officer Bill Finch,” Sanders said. “The city of Dallas has been a critical partner in the Dallas Innovation Alliance’s efforts to provide data-driven performance and strategic insights into smart cities technologies via our Living Lab in the West End.”

The city said the ideal candidate will “manage and develop a culture of innovation, professionalism, and continuous improvement in the city organization,” and “develop a more adaptive and dynamic organization receptive to new ideas and operational enhancement,” among other things.

“It’s exciting to see the city of Dallas taking the lead to add this position and elevate the importance of innovation within the city,” Duane Dankesreiter, senior vice president of research and innovation at the Dallas Regional Chamber, told Dallas Innovates via email.

“It’s exciting to see the city of Dallas taking the lead to add this position and elevate the importance of innovation within the city.” 

Duane Dankesreiter

“Innovation is about challenging the status quo. Having someone who can introduce new ideas, both technological and process, and look at things through a different lens is critical. The end result is a better government that better serves its citizens.”

The new position could help Dallas’ image elsewhere, he said.

“I am also excited about what this means in terms of positioning Dallas in the national conversation,” Dankesreiter said. “It shows we are forward-thinking, open to new ideas, and provides someone who can scour the landscape bringing new companies and people to Dallas.”

Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax told Dallas Innovates that the new CIO will play a major role for the city.

“I am pleased that we’re moving forward with the recruitment for a Chief Innovation Officer,” Broadnax said via email. “This individual will work with executive management and City Council to develop creative solutions to existing challenges, lead the city in the measurement and analysis of data to inform policy, and strengthen our capacity to be strategic in how we adapt to the changing needs of our organization and diverse community.”

You can view the qualifications and apply for the position at the governmentjobs.com website.

This article was updated at 1:15 p.m. March, 7.

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