FirstLine Schools: Chief Innovation Manager

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Type: Full-Time (Three-Year Term)

Position Summary:
FirstLine Schools seeks a strategic and forward-thinking Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) to lead the responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies across the organization. This role will design and implement a network-wide innovation strategy that accelerates student learning, strengthens teaching practice, and modernizes organizational workflows.

The CIO will partner closely with teachers, school leaders, and network teams to pilot new approaches, learn from practice, and scale what works. This leader must be comfortable leading change in complex educational environments—acting as a thoughtful disruptor who challenges systems, tests ideas alongside educators, and ensures innovation remains grounded in strong pedagogy and FirstLine’s mission.

The CIO will also help prepare students and staff to thrive in an AI-enabled world by building systems that promote ethical, responsible, and equitable use of technology.

Why This Role Is Unique:
This role offers a rare opportunity to shape how artificial intelligence is integrated into a public school system from the ground up.

Rather than simply implementing technology tools, the Chief Innovation Officer will work directly with educators and leaders to redesign learning experiences and organizational systems. The role combines classroom-centered experimentation with network-level strategy, ensuring innovation is both practical and mission-aligned.

The CIO will have the opportunity to:

• Pilot and scale AI-enabled learning in real classrooms
• Work closely with teachers, school leaders, and senior leadership to shape strategy
• Reduce educator workload while strengthening instructional impact
• Expand equitable access to future-ready learning opportunities
• Position FirstLine Schools as a leader in thoughtful, responsible innovation in public education

What Success Looks Like in the First Three Years:

The CIO will establish a strong foundation for responsible AI integration across FirstLine Schools. Success will be measured by meaningful improvements in teaching, learning, and organizational effectiveness.

A Clear AI Strategy:
A network-wide roadmap for AI integration aligned to academic priorities, including ethical guardrails and systems for evaluating and scaling high-impact tools.

AI-Enabled Teaching and Learning:
Pilot programs demonstrating how AI tools can strengthen instruction, accelerate feedback, and support lesson planning, differentiation, and assessment.

Student AI Literacy:
A K–8 framework that builds students’ understanding of artificial intelligence, responsible technology use, and connections to future careers.

Modernized Workflows:
Reduced administrative burden for teachers and leaders through AI-assisted tools and improved systems for data analysis and organizational decision-making.

A Sustainable Culture of Innovation:
Teacher and leader innovation teams regularly piloting new practices, supported by professional learning systems that build internal capacity for continued innovation.

Position Responsibilities

Strand 1: AI Strategy & Organizational Innovation

Lead the development and implementation of a network-wide AI and innovation strategy.

• Develop and execute a multi-year roadmap for AI integration across schools and the network office
• Establish clear expectations and guardrails for responsible AI use
• Lead pilot programs to test and evaluate emerging tools
• Build systems to monitor impact and scale effective practices
• Identify and manage partnerships with universities, technology organizations, and research groups
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team on innovation and future-facing strategy

Strand 2: AI-Enabled Teaching & Learning

Partner with academic and school teams to integrate AI tools that support strong instruction.

• Collaborate with the Chief Academic Officer to integrate AI thoughtfully into teaching and learning
• Support implementation of high-leverage tools such as adaptive tutoring, feedback systems, and literacy supports
• Facilitate teacher innovation teams that pilot and refine instructional uses of AI
• Design and deliver professional learning that builds teacher and leader capacity to use AI responsibly and effectively

Strand 3: Student AI Literacy & Future Readiness

Develop and oversee a K–8 AI literacy framework.

• Design a program that helps students understand how AI works and how it affects society
• Teach responsible technology use, digital citizenship, and bias awareness
• Connect AI learning to real-world problem solving and future career pathways
• Ensure equitable access to AI learning opportunities across schools

Strand 4: Operational Efficiency & Workflow Modernization

Identify ways AI can improve organizational effectiveness.

• Support teachers in reducing administrative workload through AI-assisted planning, grading, and communication tools
• Equip school leaders with tools for data analysis, scheduling, and student progress monitoring
• Partner with network teams to streamline operational processes and improve decision-making
• Build staff confidence and capacity to use AI in daily work

Other Duties As Assigned

Education & Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred)
• Experience leading innovation, change initiatives, or technology integration in education or a related field
• Experience working directly with educators to pilot and scale new practices
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects across teams or departments

Preferred:

• Experience implementing AI or emerging technologies in education
• Experience designing professional learning for educators
• Experience building partnerships across sectors

Desired Qualities & Characteristics:

• Believe in every student’s ability to achieve in a rigorous college or career prep curriculum
• Achieve results based on agreed-upon expectations
• Take personal responsibility
• Highly detail-oriented
• Open to learning and evolving with AI as a tool at work
• Comfortable challenging existing systems in service of improvement
• Excited to work alongside teachers, leaders, and senior staff to co-design solutions
• Collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Share a commitment to creating great schools in New Orleans
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to embed and model the FirstLine Commitments:
  We Keep Learning, We Work Together, We Are Helpful, We Are the Safekeepers of our Community, We Share Joy, We Show Results!

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  Occasional physical exertion is required, including exerting up to 20 pounds of force as needed to move objects.

Supervises:
None

About FirstLine Schools:

 In 1998, FirstLine Schools started the first charter school in New Orleans. FirstLine now operates several (Pre)K-8th grade schools.  Our mission is to create and inspire great, open-admissions public schools in New Orleans.  Our staff is a diverse and talented group dedicated to our students’ success and to their own growth.  Our schools are led by leaders who hold themselves accountable for student achievement and teacher development.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. FirstLine Schools offers a comprehensive benefits package including a 403b plan.

FirstLine Schools is an equal employment opportunities (EEO) organization.