Head of Innovation

About the role

The Head of Innovation provides national executive leadership for modernizing and transforming Social Security Administration (SSA) Field Operations. This senior position drives the design and implementation of future‑focused service delivery across all field offices.

Key responsibilities

• Lead enterprise‑wide initiatives that improve customer and employee experience, operational efficiency, and cross‑program integration.
• Introduce new service‑delivery models, remove policy barriers, and modernize legacy business processes.
• Develop and pilot innovative, customer‑centric processes and technologies, then oversee nationwide rollout.
• Define requirements for software, hardware, AI‑enabled capabilities, and electronic service delivery, collaborating closely with the CIO organization.
• Command a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar IT modernization portfolio, ensuring effective prioritization, governance, and adoption.
• Oversee modernization projects across Enumeration, Retirement and Survivors Insurance, Disability, and Supplemental Security Income programs.
• Identify policy obstacles and lead proposals for regulatory change.
• Serve as senior liaison to external partners, other federal and state agencies, and advocacy groups to strengthen innovation.

Required profile

• Extensive senior‑level experience in large‑scale IT modernization and transformation initiatives.
• Proven ability to manage multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar portfolios and drive cross‑functional collaboration.
• Strong executive leadership skills with authority to influence policy and operational change.
• Experience working within federal or large public‑sector organizations.

Required skills