Director, Information Technology
Learning Without Tears
Gaithersburg, United States of America
2 days ago
Role details
Contract type
Permanent contract Employment type
Full-time (> 32 hours) Working hours
Regular working hours Languages
English Experience level
Senior Compensation
$ 180KJob location
Gaithersburg, United States of America
Tech stack
Artificial Intelligence
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Azure
Business Systems
Software as a Service
Cloud Computing
Computer Security
Disaster Recovery
Identity and Access Management
Automation of Marketing
Netsuite
Salesforce
Data Streaming
System Availability
Reliability of Systems
Information Technology
Job description
- Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing IT organization, fostering a culture of accountability, urgency, and entrepreneurial curiosity
- Set clear expectations, priorities, and performance standards that drive a strong work ethic and continuous improvement mindset
- Operate as a player-coach, providing both strategic leadership and hands-on execution where needed
- Build a team culture focused on service excellence, innovation, and business impact
Executive Partnership & Communication
- Serve as the primary IT partner to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT)
- Communicate effectively with executives on:
- Technology strategy and roadmap
- System performance and risks
- Cybersecurity posture
- Investment decisions and ROI
- Translate technical concepts into clear business outcomes and actionable insights
- Actively contribute to enterprise-wide decision-making, not just IT-specific initiatives
IT Strategy & Operations
- Develop and execute a practical, scalable IT roadmap aligned with company growth and operational priorities
- Establish governance, prioritization frameworks, and KPIs appropriate for a mid-sized organization
- Ensure reliable, cost-effective delivery across all IT services
- Manage IT budget, vendor portfolio, and technology investments
Infrastructure & Cloud Operations
- Own cloud infrastructure (AWS/Azure), networks, endpoints, and core SaaS ecosystem
- Partner with MSP to ensure high availability, performance, and security
- Maintain disaster recovery, business continuity, and system resilience plans
- Drive automation and standardization to improve scalability and reduce manual effort
Enterprise Business Systems Ownership
- Serve as a partner to the business owners of:
- NetSuite (ERP/Finance)
- Salesforce (CRM & revenue operations)
- UKG (HCM & workforce management)
- Ensure systems are optimized to support business workflows, reporting, and decision-making
- Lead cross-functional collaboration with Finance, HR, Sales, and Operations
- Oversee integrations and data flows to ensure a single, trusted source of truth
- Drive user adoption, data quality, and continuous system improvement
AI, Automation & Data Enablement
- Act as a collaborative leader in bringing AI into company workflows, partnering with functional leaders to identify high-impact use cases
- Champion practical AI and automation solutions within NetSuite, Salesforce, UKG, and adjacent tools
- Enable predictive analytics, workflow automation, and enhanced reporting across the organization
- Ensure systems are structured to capture, integrate, and leverage high-quality data
- Balance innovation with governance, security, and business value
Cybersecurity & Risk Management
- Establish and maintain a right-sized cybersecurity program leveraging internal leadership and external MSSP capabilities
- Ensure foundational controls (MFA, endpoint security, access management, monitoring, backups) are in place
- Oversee incident response planning, risk assessments, and compliance efforts
- Promote organization-wide security awareness and accountability
Technical Support & Employee Experience
- Oversee IT support (internal + MSP), ensuring fast, reliable resolution of employee issues
- Deliver a high-quality onboarding/offboarding experience
- Improve self-service capabilities, knowledge resources, and automation
- Track and enhance service metrics (response time, resolution time, user satisfaction)
Vendor & Partner Management
- Manage MSP, MSSP, and provide support for specialized system partners (NetSuite, Salesforce, UKG)
- Ensure strong service delivery, accountability, and alignment with business priorities
- Optimize vendor footprint for cost, performance, and scalability
Requirements
Do you have experience in Technology management?, * 8+ years of progressive IT experience, including 5+ years of leadership in a mid-sized or high-growth organization
- Experience leading multi-functional teams (including internal staff and external partners)
- Experience with supporting enterprise platforms such as NetSuite, Salesforce, UKG (or similar)
- Strong experience in cloud infrastructure, SaaS environments, and cybersecurity fundamentals
- Demonstrated ability to partner with executive leadership and influence business outcomes
Core Competencies
- Inspirational leadership with the ability to build a driven, accountable, and curious team culture
- Strong executive communication skills and comfort engaging with senior leadership
- Entrepreneurial mindset-identifies opportunities, moves quickly, and drives results
- Collaborative, cross-functional leadership style
- Ability to balance strategy and hands-on execution effectively
Preferred
- Experience in a 150-300 employee environment
- Exposure to AI tools, automation platforms, or analytics initiatives
- Experience supporting Finance, HR, and Sales through core systems
- Relevant certifications (cloud, cybersecurity, systems)
Success Metrics
- High-performing, engaged IT team with strong accountability and execution
- Effective partnership and trust with the Senior Leadership Team
- Measurable progress integrating AI and automation into business workflows
- High system reliability, security, and user satisfaction
- Strong adoption and optimization of NetSuite, Salesforce, and UKG
- Technology investments delivering clear business value
Benefits & conditions
Pulled from the full job description
- Paid time off, Why Work with Us?
- Mission-Driven Impact: Join a team passionate about making a difference and driving positive change.
- Growth and Development: We invest in your success with ongoing learning and career opportunities.
- Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexible work options, generous PTO, and wellness support.
- Inclusive Culture: We foster a diverse, collaborative, and supportive workplace.
- Competitive Benefits: Receive competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and employee recognition.
About the company
At Learning Without Tears, we're more than just a company; we're a passionate, family-owned community on a mission to revolutionize education. We believe that learning should be engaging and joyful, which is why we create innovative, fun products and digital resources that empower educators and inspire children.
Every day, our commitment to collaboration and creativity propels us forward. We're dedicated to embracing change, striving for excellence, and simplifying processes to create a lasting impact in the lives of educators and learners alike.
Join our dynamic team and be a part of something truly transformative as we shape the future of education together!
The Director of IT is a hands-on, strategic leader responsible for the end-to-end delivery of technology across infrastructure, enterprise systems (NetSuite, Salesforce, UKG), cybersecurity, and technical support for a ~200-person organization.
This role leads a team of approximately 8 internal staff, plus managed partners, and requires a balance of operational excellence, strategic vision, and entrepreneurial curiosity. The Director will partner closely with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to modernize systems, enable data-driven decision-making, and integrate AI into core business workflows to improve efficiency, insights, and scalability.
This role sits at the center of enabling the company's next phase of growth-scaling systems, empowering people, and embedding AI-driven capabilities into everyday work. Success in this position means building a modern, agile IT function that operates as a true business partner-not just a service provider.