Technology and Innovation Manager

Macfadden is looking for a Technology and Innovation Manager based in Washington, DC, who will be a key member of the group, supporting both internal and external information systems along with technology and innovation projects and solutions.  The Technology and Innovation Manager will be responsible for identifying and delivering solutions and services that address customers’ mission critical needs.  She/he builds relationships with internal FFP customers and assists in defining business processes, technology, information, performance, and security requirements for solutions to operational needs. She/he works with government officials, commercial users, private sector, donors, venture capitalists, innovators, and technology and academic partners to identify potential solutions to address operational needs; she/he engages with all stakeholders, including award applicants, FFP managers, financial analysts, report writers, activity evaluators, CIO, CPO and CISO, contractor IT support, and FFP management to assist in solution transfers.  

The successful candidate will act as the key interface between the clients and solutions, helping to identify the right technology solutions for key mission critical activities.  She/he will use their strong consultative skills with a solid understanding of advanced and emerging technologies and an emphasis on data analytics, visualization, autonomous systems, mobile technology, and remote solutions to drive the change process to find a solution.  She/he will have the ability to work in a team environment and to collaborate on the development of innovative, tailored solutions for key FFP mission activities.

Candidates should have experience in interacting with both internal and external stakeholders, including business, government, academic institutions and innovation centers, combining technical knowledge with business experience to ensure sustainability of potential solutions.

Candidate will work with the innovation team to define potential solutions and identify the best options for solution delivery, including innovative acquisition approaches.  The successful candidate will have experience working with government acquisitions processes, including Request for Proposals, and other approaches.

The Manager must be able to communicate technical information to FFP stakeholders in clear and simple terms.  He/she must also have the skills necessary to “translate” FFP operational requirements to technical designs and translate final project technical design concepts back to the functional teams. 

FFP is a busy, dynamic, and highly complex office and the successful candidate must be flexible in responding to changing needs and priorities. The ideal candidate will be an independent self-starter with excellent follow through and communication skills, along with a strong attention to detail and accuracy. This person will be responsible for ensuring other staff and contractors complete necessary work assignments on time and accurately. 

Essential Functions:

Duties include but are not limited to: 

• Knowledge of or experience with technology innovation such as Block Chain, Artificial Intelligence, etc.
• Experience and knowledge of existing USG, USAID and/or FFP structures and processes.

Education/Experience:                 

• Bachelor’s degree with minimum 15 years’ experience in related field OR Master’s degree with minimum of 12 years’ experience in related field.
• Minimum 12 years’ of progressively responsible, professional-level experience of which must be related to understand operational requirements and identifying, implementing and scaling solutions.  

Required Skills:     

• A strong, multifunctional background combining knowledge of customers, technology, innovation and USG missions.  Ability to translate that knowledge into solutions that address customer’s mission critical needs.
• Start-up or entrepreneurial experience.
• Experience with user requirements definition, integrated application architectures, analysis of COTS, GOTS and custom-built applications and technology, level of effort and cost estimations, and performance measures.
• Experience with wide range of information and other technologies including, but not limited to, data management, analytics, visualization, tagging tracking and locating, remote power solutions, sensors, drones, and sensors.
• Experience coordinating diverse project teams made up of stakeholders, technical developers, and vendor resources in projects. 
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple and competing priorities and projects.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication.
• Proven ability to build strong collaborative relationships.
• Experience with USG acquisition mechanisms such as RFPs and contracts.

U.S. Citizenship is required; selected candidate must be able to qualify for a government sponsored clearance.

Physical Requirements:  The employee must be capable of arduous travel. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.  The employee will be required to reach with hands and arms.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.  The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.