Senior Director of Information Technology

Position Details

Full-Time and Permanent; 7.5 Hours/Day; 252 Days/Year; 12 Months/Year; Grade O DEFINITION The Senior Director of Information Technology is the school division’s senior technology leader and is responsible for strategy, operations, cybersecurity, resilience, and continuous improvement of the enterprise technology environment. The position aligns technology investments and services with instructional, operational, and strategic priorities; protects critical systems and sensitive information; advances digital equity; and ensures reliable, secure access to technology for students, staff, families, and the community. SUPERVISION Receives general direction from the Chief Operations Officer and serves on the Superintendent’s Executive Leadership Team. Exercises broad independent judgment in setting department priorities, allocating resources, managing risk, responding to incidents, and carrying strategic initiatives through implementation. Directs the managers and staff responsible for student information systems, business information systems, network services, district technical support, and other assigned technology functions; provides leadership to a multidisciplinary department of approximately 60 or more employees. Leads cross-functional technology initiatives and manages consultants, vendors, and contracted service providers. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Technology Strategy and Governance Develop, implement, and continuously improve a multi-year IT operations strategic plan, technology standards, architecture roadmap, and investment priorities aligned with the division strategic plan. Advise the Superintendent, School Board, and executive leadership on technology strategy, organizational risk, digital equity, emerging technologies, and resource needs. Lead technology governance for artificial intelligence and automation, including cross-functional review of tools for instructional value, privacy, cybersecurity, accessibility, acceptable use, and operational impact. Cybersecurity Risk and Continuity Direct the cybersecurity program, including security architecture, identity and access management, vulnerability and patch management, monitoring, incident response, staff awareness, and third-party risk management. Maintain and exercise cybersecurity incident-response, disaster-recovery, and technology business-continuity plans; lead response and recovery for cyber incidents, outages, and emergencies. Ensure that backup, recovery, redundancy, testing, and documentation for critical systems are designed and maintained according to system risk and operational need. Coordinate, as appropriate, with law enforcement, state agencies, and education-sector information-sharing organizations. Infrastructure Enterprise Systems and Support Ensure reliable operation and modernization of enterprise infrastructure, including wide and local area networks, wireless, data centers, servers and storage, hybrid-cloud services, telecommunications, voice, and collaboration platforms. Oversee the student information system, enterprise resource planning system, business and instructional applications, integrations, databases, and application lifecycle management. Partner with departments on data governance, data quality, analytics, state and federal data reporting, online assessments, attendance and grade collection, and technology readiness. Oversee service desk and field-support services; establish service standards, performance measures, escalation practices, and continuous-improvement processes for schools and offices. Manage student and staff devices, classroom technology, mobile device management, asset tracking, refresh cycles, and digital-equity initiatives. Facilities Safety and Capital Projects Coordinate technology design and deployment for new construction, renovations, and building moves with Facilities, architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders. Partner with Public Safety and Security and Facilities Management to provide secure technology infrastructure, connectivity, identity integration, storage, and cybersecurity protection for their systems, while respecting those departments’ operational ownership. Plan and manage the technology aspects of cabling, network, wireless, voice, audiovisual, power, cooling, and other infrastructure requirements. Financial Vendor and Workforce Leadership Develop and administer operating and capital budgets; prioritize investments using lifecycle, risk, service, and strategic-impact considerations. Direct E-Rate planning, filing, and compliance; prepare and evaluate solicitations; negotiate and manage contracts in accordance with applicable procurement requirements and division policy. Recruit, develop, evaluate, and retain professional and technical staff; build succession plans and professional learning that strengthen capacity and reduce single points of failure. Establish productive partnerships with regional and statewide education technology organizations, government agencies, higher education, and vendors; represent the division on assigned committees and professional bodies. Develop and coordinate stakeholder and crisis communications related to cyber incidents, outages, and significant technology initiatives. Perform other related duties as assigned. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES Comprehensive knowledge of enterprise network, telecommunications, cloud, data-center, endpoint, identity, and enterprise-application architecture and operations. Knowledge of cybersecurity and risk-management practices, including recognized frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework; incident response; disaster recovery; and business continuity. Knowledge of student information, enterprise resource planning, database, data-integration, reporting, and analytics systems. Knowledge of applicable student data privacy, internet safety, digital accessibility, records-retention, E-Rate, and public-procurement requirements. Knowledge of artificial intelligence capabilities, risks, governance, and responsible-use practices in educational settings. Skill in strategic planning, budgeting, portfolio management, vendor management, service management, and performance measurement. Ability to lead and develop managers, supervisors, and technical professionals; make sound decisions under pressure; and communicate complex technical issues in clear, accessible language. Ability to build effective working relationships with executive leaders, School Board members, school and central-office staff, families, government agencies, regional partners, and vendors. Ability to prepare executive-level reports, recommendations, and presentations that explain conclusions, options, risks, and next steps. MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING EXPERIENCE, LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Education and Experience Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in information systems, computer science, business or public administration, organizational leadership, or a closely related field. At least seven years of progressively responsible information technology experience, including at least five years of senior leadership over enterprise infrastructure, cybersecurity, and technical staff in a large, complex organization. Experience in a public-sector or K-12 environment is preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. License and Certification Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation for local travel, as required by assignment. Professional certification such as CISSP, CISM, Certified Education Technology Leader, PMP, ITIL, or comparable certification is preferred but not required. WORK ENVIRONMENT Work is performed primarily in office, school, and technical environments, with regular use of computers, mobile devices, video-conferencing platforms, and standard office equipment. The role includes frequent travel to schools, administrative offices, equipment rooms, data center locations, construction sites, and community or regional meetings. Work may occur in controlled technical spaces with elevated noise, equipment heat, or limited access. The position may require evening or weekend work for maintenance windows, School Board meetings, division events, or emergency operations. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. The employee must be able to communicate effectively; sit, stand, walk, reach, and use hands and fingers for office and technical activities; operate a computer and related equipment; and move throughout school, office, technical, and community locations. Occasional lifting or carrying of equipment and materials weighing up to 30 pounds may be required. ROLE SPECIFIC DEMANDS Sustained concentration and attention to detail while assessing cybersecurity alerts, technical risks, system performance, budgets, contracts, and complex enterprise projects. Ability to respond decisively and calmly to cybersecurity incidents, system outages, emergencies, and other events that may disrupt instruction or division operations. Availability outside normal business hours for incident response, emergency coordination, planned maintenance, and time-sensitive operational decisions. Ability to manage competing priorities, frequent interruptions, and high-stakes deadlines while maintaining confidentiality, sound judgment, and professional composure. COMPENSATION This is a full-time, exempt senior administrative leadership position. Compensation and benefits are established in accordance with the School Board-approved administrative salary schedule and applicable division policies. Placement within the approved range is based on the position’s scope, the selected candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience, and available funding. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY DISCLAIMER The school division provides equal employment opportunity and reasonable accommodation in accordance with applicable law and division policy. This job description summarizes the general nature and level of work assigned to this classification. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, or working conditions. The school division may revise or assign duties consistent with the position’s purpose and operational needs.