Innovation Strategist

The Innovation Strategist (AI) advances Singapore American School's vision for purposeful, ethical, and human-centered innovation. Operating at the intersection of design, emerging technology, and learning, this role helps the school prototype and scale responsible uses of artificial intelligence that enhance creativity, efficiency, and impact across the community.

Working collaboratively with educators, IT Ops, and leadership teams, the Innovation Strategist explores how AI and advanced technologies can transform learning and organizational systems. The role combines research, design, and foresight, identifying trends, developing prototypes, and shaping strategy that ensures innovation remains both cutting-edge and values-driven.

Through applied experimentation, cross-sector partnerships, and community engagement, the Innovation Strategist builds the bridge between industry-level technological capability and educational purpose. Their work contributes to a culture where curiosity, creativity, and ethical responsibility guide the school's ongoing evolution in an AI-driven world.

The specific roles and responsibilities are subject to change and evolve and may include but not be limited to any of the following areas:

Applied Research & Technology Strategy

• Lead applied research exploring AI, machine learning, synthetic media, XR, and data-driven workflows within real educational contexts.
• Evaluate and prototype new technologies, identifying scalable, ethical applications that enhance creativity, personalization, and efficiency.
• Create strategic foresight reports mapping technological trends to institutional opportunities, informing long-term planning and investment.
• Develop design specifications and proofs of concept in partnership with SAS's AI Engineer and internal development teams.

Experience & Systems Design

• Translate complex technical capabilities into human-centred design frameworks for learning and operations.
• Prototype new AI-enhanced experiences - e.g. intelligent tutoring, generative design studios, or workflow automation tools that remove friction for educators.
• Architect the data and integration models that enable interoperability between school systems and AI-driven tools.
• Ensure that all implementations balance innovation with governance, security, and privacy compliance.

Community Capacity & Culture Building

• Design and deliver innovation sprints, labs, and workshops that upskill teams in creative problem-solving, prompt engineering, and AI literacy.
• Mentor cross-functional project teams, helping them prototype and iterate solutions with measurable value.
• Build internal playbooks and toolkits that enable repeatable, scalable innovation practices across the organization.
• Act as a strategic advisor to the Ed Tech Team, supporting AI adoption in both academic and operational domains.

Ethics, Equity & Responsible Innovation

• Embed ethical AI principles - transparency, accountability, and inclusion into every stage of the design and deployment cycle.
• Collaborate with the AI Learning Specialists and leadership to evolve the SAS AI Governance Framework and Digital Literacy standards.
• Develop and deliver public-facing sessions and artifacts that help students, parents, and staff navigate the human implications of AI.
• Promote SAS globally as a model for values-driven, human-centred innovation through thought leadership, writing, and events.

Partnership & Ecosystem Building

• Forge collaborations with startups, research institutes, and technology partners to co-develop pilots and share applied research findings.
• Lead external showcases and demo events that make innovation visible.
• Represent SAS in global innovation networks, positioning the school as an R&D collaborator and testbed for next-generation educational technologies.

Other Responsibilities

• Participate in professional learning opportunities, staying abreast of trends in AI and emerging technologies and their application in education.
• Complete other duties as assigned by the Director of Technology and Innovation.

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field
• Minimum two years of experience in an innovation, AI, design strategy, or emerging technology role within industry, R&D, or consulting
• Proven ability to prototype, test, and evaluate emerging AI or digital solutions in applied settings
• Skilled at translating complex technical concepts into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences
• Strong facilitation, collaboration, and interpersonal skills with experience leading cross-functional teams or projects
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills

Preferred

• Advanced degree in a relevant field
• Prior experience in education technology, digital transformation, or social impact innovation.
• Familiarity with data governance, AI policy, and responsible innovation frameworks.
• Demonstrated research and analytical skills to assess emerging technologies and generate actionable insights
• Understanding of ethical AI principles, data privacy, and digital equity
• Commitment to advancing equitable, human-centered, and values-driven innovation in learning environments