Director of Innovation & Operational Technology

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Apply for the opportunity to join our team dedicated to preserving and protecting Texas waters. 1.0 Job Summary The Director of Innovation & Operational Technology (DIOT) participates in the development and execution of strategic initiatives that drive innovative and technological advancement, process excellence, and operational resilience across the organization. This role combines visionary innovation leadership with deep expertise in OT systems (SCADA, DCS, PLCs, IoT) to deliver transformative solutions that enhance GCA's brand, productivity, safety, environmental protection, and competitive advantage. As the DIOT position is newly created in the industry and at GCA, it is initially a planning and influence role with limited autonomy. This role requires significant collaboration across all sectors of the Authority, demonstrating planning and execution through buy-in from various departments and levels of the organization, framing decision-making matrices, and not only understanding but also vetting the options and alternatives of various technologies and process changes in preparation for recommendation to Senior Management. This role must also provide for the cost-and-benefit analysis of any proposed change at the Authority. The DIOT position is one of influence. The DIOT is an on-site position and reports to the General Manager/CEO. 2.0 Typical Duties and Responsibilities Strategic Innovation Leadership 2.1 Promote and prioritize developmental expertise and maintain a multi-year innovation planning roadmap high-level, broad approach) of project management aligned with the Authority's technological advancement strategy, as approved by the GM/CEO in coordination with all Senior Management. 2.2 Identify emerging technologies (for example. AI/ML, digital twins, augmented reality, 3D printing, etc.) with high impact potential driving digital solutions to continually improve wastewater and water reuse processes. 2.3 Build an innovation-focused team and overall innovative culture by implementing idea management frameworks, governance processes, and incentives to capture and accelerate high-value ideas Authority-wide. 2.4 Build and execute an innovation plan aligned to energy optimization and stabilization, grid modernization, operational intelligence, asset monitoring, and internal and external customer service improvements. 2.5 Develop and present business cases, ROI analyses, and performance measurements to ensure innovative initiatives translate into repeatable, Authority-wide capabilities that improve reliability, safety, efficiency, or customer outcomes. 2.6 Manage defined workstreams, produce business-ready deliverables, and support both traditional and agile delivery models, with execution rigor emphasized alongside strategy. 2.7 Assist in the management of electricity contracts for the Authority. 2.8 Assist in training development and implementation for innovation in operations, maintenance, and technical services, as needed. 2.9 Maintain a customer focus on developing advanced processes to enhance brand and increase market presence. 2.10 Address the need for new skill sets, as well as the upskilling of current capabilities, with technical and operational support functions, and collaborate with Human Resources in recruitment and training, including a skills/training library, to foster a responsive culture of innovation and continual improvement. 2.11 Review various potential projects for innovation and opportunities for the Authority to participate. Work with various departments on the Authority's bandwidth to respond. Present to Senior Management for recommendation to pursue along with a path forward, as necessary. 2.12 As the role develops and the Authority progresses: a. Explore R&D opportunities as the role develops and the Authority progresses, utilizing state-of-the-art applied research and pilot programs. b. Assist in the design and develop proofs-of-concept, manage innovation labs, and scale successful pilots into production, process capabilities, and reliability. c. Collaborate with multiple departments of GCA and, at the direction of the GM/CEO and Senior Management, establish eco-system partnerships with universities, research foundations, and financial entities, as appropriate, and technology vendors to co-innovate or acquire cutting-edge solutions designed to fund and scale startups that solve wastewater and water reuse challenges. Operational Technology Management 2.13 Define the Authority OT strategy and architecture, including operational and compliance standards-covering SCADA, DCS, PLCs, RTUs, and industrial IoT devices-to ensure scalability, interoperability, and security. 2.14 Oversee system delivery and maintenance, including the lifecycle of OT systems, reliability, requirements gathering, vendor selection, design, installation, commissioning, and ongoing support to ensure appropriate uptime for control systems. 2.15 Partner with the IT and Information Security teams to imple