We’re hiring! Join the movement and our Smart Gigabit Communities team.

Job Description – Director of Smart Community Development

Background
US Ignite, a nonprofit public-private partnership, seeks a Director of Community Development for its Smart Gigabit Community (SGC) Project, the most ambitious and productive smart community effort in the United States. In its first two years, the project has developed an ecosystem of 24 Smart Gigabit Communities throughout the United States and one in Australia.

Each of the smart cities or geographic communities develops and shares smart gigabit applications and best practices with the other communities, creating a network effect and an international movement for smart and connected communities. So far, over 100 applications have been developed which will make a positive difference in the lives of people in the growing numbers of SGC communities and provide these communities an economic boost. The SGC project was launched with the support of the National Science Foundation and will continue to grow sustainably.

Responsibilities
The Director of Community Development will be responsible for nurturing, guiding and assisting a portfolio of Smart Gigabit Communities, and for contributing to innovation and management of the project and the overall ecosystem. In addition, the Director of Community Development will help expand the movement by recruiting new participating communities.

Great candidates for this position will move easily among governmental, corporate, civic, academic, and entrepreneurial organizations to assemble the synergies that mark local innovation ecosystems. We seek candidates with positive attitudes and creative minds who can educate, support, and advise their portfolio, while working closely with a small but highly motivated team at US Ignite.

Other specific responsibilities include:

• Growing the SGC ecosystem in value, numbers of communities, and great shareable applications
• Sharing information and applications among all participating connected communities and potential new communities via presentations, playbooks, and online resources
• Conducting regular consultation and coordination with community leaders and maintaining an active relationship with their Steering Committees
• Providing leadership and assistance in cultivating local entrepreneurship and innovation environments- Working with Steering Committees to organize reverse pitches, hackathons and other initiatives to encourage the development and adoption of community-relevant advanced technology applications and services
• Planning and executing cross-community events that further ecosystem growth

Skills
Successful candidates will possess creativity, persistence, an ability to work with many kinds of people from industry to government to academia, excellent communication skills, and a basic science / technology background sufficient to nurture IoT and smart gigabit applications.

How to Apply
The job will be performed with a great degree of autonomy. Travel to communities and conferences is required. Highly-motivated candidates may be able to work from home with access to a hub airport, but we prefer someone who can work at US Ignite National Headquarters near Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. To apply, please send a résumé and short work sample to: [email protected]. Responses received by August 8, 2018 will receive full consideration and this posting will remain active until the position is filled.

About US Ignite
US Ignite is accelerating the smart city movement – and creating value for an entire ecosystem – by guiding communities into the connected future, creating a path for private sector growth, and advancing technology research that’s at the heart of smart city development. US Ignite’s annual smart cities conference is the largest in the United States.

Notice
US Ignite is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a U.S. veteran. We warmly welcome diversity and positive attitudes.