Executive Director of Technology

The Executive Director of Technology is a senior executive leadership position responsible for the district's overall technology strategy and vision. This individual simultaneously fulfills the roles of Information Officer, Technology Officer, and Information Security Officer, aligning all technology initiatives with the district's educational goals and operational needs. This position leads the technology department, manages IT investments, drives digital transformation, and ensures the security and integrity of all district data and systems. The Executive Director serves as a strategic advisor to the Superintendent and Board of Education on all technology matters and provides direct oversight to key leadership roles, including the Director of Technology - Network Infrastructure and the Director of Technology - Operations., Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Develop and implement a comprehensive IT strategy and vision that aligns with the district's educational and operational goals.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Superintendent, senior management, and the Board of Education on technology-related matters, ensuring all IT investments and resources are managed to achieve the district's strategic objectives.

• Collaborate with principals, teachers, and district leadership to identify and address technology needs for instruction and administration, driving digital transformation to enhance teaching and learning.

• Represent the district's technology interests to internal and external stakeholders, including community members and the Board of Education.

Technology Operations and Infrastructure:

• Plan, implement, and maintain the district's enterprise information systems and technology infrastructure, including the Wide Area Network (WAN), Local Area Networks (LAN), and all hardware and software.

• Oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of all administrative, financial, and student information applications.

• Stay abreast of emerging technology trends and identify opportunities to leverage new technologies for the district's benefit, ensuring the infrastructure is reliable, scalable, and secure.

• Lead and develop the technology teams, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

• Manage technology projects from initiation to completion, ensuring alignment with scope, budget, and timelines.

• Oversee the procurement and management of all technology contracts and vendor relationships.

Information Security and Compliance:

• Establish, implement, and maintain a comprehensive cybersecurity program to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all district data and information assets.

• Develop and enforce security policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards such as FERPA and the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA).

• Lead the district's incident response, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning efforts.

• Conduct regular security risk assessments, recommend mitigation strategies, and monitor emerging threats and vulnerabilities.

• Educate and train all staff on cybersecurity best practices, promoting a security-conscious culture across the district.

Departmental Management and Accountability:

• Manage the technology department, including staffing, budgeting, and performance management.

• Provide direct supervision and strategic guidance to the Director of Technology - Network Infrastructure and the Director of Technology - Operations, ensuring the department meets all operational, instructional, and strategic needs.

• Prepare and manage the annual and multi-year IT budget, ensuring effective and efficient use of resources.

• Supervise all technology personnel, providing guidance, assigning and reviewing work, and handling employee issues.

• Assess the district's IT workforce needs and develop strategies to attract, train, and retain a skilled team., * Supervise all Technology Department personnel, including direct supervision of the Director of Technology - Network Infrastructure and the Director of Technology - Operations.

• Master's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or Educational Technology.

• Extensive experience (10+ years) in a senior IT leadership role, with a proven track record of managing a large technology department, ideally within an educational setting.

• Deep understanding of educational technology and its application to improve student outcomes.

• Expertise in IT strategy development, project management, change leadership, and cybersecurity.

• Experience with federal programs such as E-RATE is preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: (Preferred)

• Certified Educational Technology Leader (CETL®) via CoSN is required:

• An essential credential bridging technical expertise with the specialized leadership and management demands of a K-12 environment. (Note: Candidates not currently possessing this certification must obtain it within 12 months of hire).

• Additional Preferred Certifications (One of the following):

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): Demonstrates a comprehensive, foundational understanding of the modern cybersecurity landscape.

• Project Management Professional (PMP): Validates proven expertise in leading and executing complex, strategic initiatives., Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, complex technical documentation, instructional manuals, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and governmental regulations. Ability to write comprehensive reports, business correspondence, system documentation, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively prepare and present technical information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, vendors, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in units of measurement, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and in the display and interpretation of data. Ability to apply concepts of statistical analysis, fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations, including system capacity planning and budget management.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to interpret and apply common sense understanding in carrying out complex instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form. Ability to analyze complex information, identify critical issues, and use logic to address work-related issues and problems, often involving multiple integrated systems. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete and abstract variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential for system design, troubleshooting, and security incident response.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements, Board of Education policies, and relevant legal/regulatory mandates (e.g., data privacy).

• Strategic Vision and Leadership: Proven ability to define and articulate a compelling technology vision that drives the district's educational and operational missions.

• Digital Transformation: Expertise in pioneering the development, planning, and implementation of technology programs that transform instructional and administrative systems, ensuring they meet evolving operational and educational requirements.

• Financial Acumen: Exceptional skill in strategic budgeting, financial resource allocation, and vendor negotiation to maximize the return on technology investments.

• Executive Communication and Influence: Advanced ability to effectively present, influence, and build consensus with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Board of Education, senior leadership, media representatives, and the general public.

• Organizational and People Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse technology workforce, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Risk and Governance Management: A deep understanding of risk management, governance, and compliance, with the ability to ensure technology programs adhere to all district policies and legal/regulatory mandates.

• Proactive Problem-Solving: Exceptional capacity for independent judgment and discretion to anticipate complex issues, make timely decisions, and drive solutions.

• Resilience and Adaptability: A strong commitment to professional accountability, the ability to take ownership of challenges, and the resilience to navigate and overcome high-stakes failures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical demands require routine lifting of items weighing up to 50 pounds (e.g., servers, cameras, control panels), and occasional lifting/moving of items up to 75 pounds. Routine local travel between district sites is required; no overnight travel is required, with the exception of conferences or specialized training. Duties are conducted indoors and outdoors, sometimes in network closets or areas with varying environmental conditions. Duties require constant work with computers and monitors, and interaction with electronic and electrical equipment, creating possible eyestrain and requiring adherence to safety procedures. May require working at heights (e.g., on ladders for camera or speaker installation/maintenance) or in confined spaces.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, listen, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, travel from building to other sites and/or reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.