Head of Technology Innovation - #1415133

Location:

Providence, RI, US, 02903 West Greenwich, RI, US, 02817

Requisition ID: 17145

Brightstar is an innovative, forward-thinking global leader in lottery that builds on our renowned expertise in delivering secure technology and producing reliable, comprehensive solutions for our customers. As a premier pure play global lottery company, our best-in-class lottery operations, retail and digital solutions, and award-winning lottery games enable our customers to achieve their goals, fulfill player needs and distribute meaningful benefits to communities. Brightstar has a well-established local presence and is a trusted partner to governments and regulators around the world, creating value by adhering to the highest standards of service, integrity, and responsibility. Brightstar has approximately 6,000 employees. For more information, please visit www.brightstarlottery.com.

Overview

The Head of Technology Innovation will lead the strategic direction and execution of technology-driven innovation initiatives aimed at driving the company’s growth and competitive advantage. This role is responsible for identifying emerging technologies, overseeing the development and implementation of innovative solutions, and ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of technological advancement in its industry. The person in this role will work closely with senior leadership to shape the company’s long-term technology vision and lead cross-functional teams to deliver impactful results. The Head of Technology Innovation will also be responsible for developing relationships and partnerships with universities, startups, and external technology vendors to foster new innovations. This role is a unique opportunity to shape the future of technology innovation within an exciting and dynamic organization and industry. If you are a forward-thinking, strategic leader with a passion for driving technological change, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a forward-thinking technology innovation strategy aligned with the company’s business goals and vision.
• Identify and assess emerging technologies, industry trends, and market opportunities that can drive innovation and improve business performance.
• Work closely with the CTO and other leaders to define the company’s innovation roadmap and priorities.
  
  

Innovation Management

• Lead and manage the organization’s innovation efforts, ensuring a continuous pipeline of new ideas.
• Oversee the development of new product, solution, and technology platform concepts, from ideation, to POC, to agreement to commercialize.
• Foster a culture of innovation within the company by encouraging creativity, experimentation, and risk-taking.
• Act as a liaison between technical and non-technical teams, ensuring clear communication and understanding of innovation goals and progress.
• Collaborate with other departments (e.g., product development, account mgmt., marketing, operations, and finance) to integrate innovations.
  
  

Technology Leadership

• Ensure that the organization stays ahead of technological disruptions and can rapidly adapt to new developments in the tech landscape.
• Lead and build a high-performing team of technology innovators, engineers, and data scientists.
• Foster a collaborative and dynamic work environment that attracts top talent and nurtures their growth.
• Provide mentorship, guidance, and professional development to team members to enhance their capabilities and career growth.
  
  

Partnerships and External Relations

• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with external technology vendors, research institutions, startups, and other stakeholders to stay ahead of innovation trends.
• Represent the company in industry conferences, forums, and panels, enhancing the company’s visibility as a technology leader.
  
  

Budget and Performance Management

• Oversee the identification and prioritization of technology investments that align with the company’s goals and innovation strategy.
• Manage the department's budget, ensuring the efficient allocation of resources for innovation investments and projects.
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of technology innovation initiatives.
• Provide regular updates on the progress of technology innovation.
  
  

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field. Ph.D. a plus.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in technology roles, with at least 7 years in leadership positions.
• Proven track record of successfully leading technology innovation initiatives, driving digital transformation, and developing cutting-edge solutions.
• Strong understanding of emerging technologies (e.g., AI, machine learning, cloud computing, blockchain, IoT) and their application in business.
• Proven track record of establishing relationships and partnerships with universities, external technology vendors and startups.
• Experience in managing and scaling technology teams, with a focus on collaboration and cross-functional alignment.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire teams and executives.
• Experience with budget management and resource allocation.
• Knowledge of the latest industry trends and competitive landscape.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a focus on high-priority objectives.
• Visionary with a passion for technology and innovation.
• Ability to think outside the box and challenge the status quo.
• Highly adaptable, comfortable with ambiguity, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with a focus on building diverse, high-performing teams.
• Collaborative, fast-paced, and results-oriented.
• Willingness to travel as required.
  
  

Keys to Success

• Building collaborative relationships
• Decision making
• Drive results
• Foster innovation
• Personal energy
• Self-leadership
  
  

At Brightstar, we consider a wide range of factors in determining compensation, including background, skills, experience, and work location. These factors can cause your compensation to vary.

Base pay is only one part of our Total Rewards program. Sales roles may be eligible for commission payments, while other roles are eligible for discretionary bonuses. In addition, we offer employees a 401(k) Savings Plan with Company contributions, health, dental, and vision insurance, life, accident, and disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid time off, wellness programs, and identity theft insurance. Note: programs are subject to eligibility requirements.

All Brightstar employees have a role in information security. Annual training will be assigned and required as appropriate.

Nearest Major Market: Providence

Nearest Secondary Market: Rhode Island