Description:
Mary McDowell Friends School is a K-12 college preparatory program dedicated to the success of students with learning disabilities. Grounded in the Quaker values of equality, integrity, and social responsibility, we cultivate a diverse community where all students can reach their full potential. Our specialized teaching methodologies and challenging curricula empower students to become academic achievers, creative thinkers, and contributing members of a global society.
Mary McDowell Friends School (MMFS) invites applications for a full-time Interim Chief Technology Officer (CTO) beginning July 2024.
Job Title: Interim Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Reports to: Associate Head of School
Position Overview
The Interim Chief Technology Officer (CTO) will support academic and operational technology initiatives that align with the mission of the school. This role serves as the primary leader for the IT department and is responsible for overseeing the integration of cybersecurity, student privacy, budget, emerging technology evaluation, and IT policy across the whole school. The CTO will report directly to the Associate Head of School.
Essential Responsibilities and Duties
In overseeing the operational technology team, the Interim CTO is ultimately responsible for all layers of the school's technology operations. These layers are detailed below:
Strategic Leadership:
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Define and communicate a clear vision for integrating technology into all facets of the school environment.
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Lead and manage the IT department, including a nine-person team, ensuring strategic alignment with the school's overall objectives.
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Act as the primary consultant on technology for school projects, ensuring optimal outcomes based on technological capabilities.
Cybersecurity and IT Policy:
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Develop and oversee IT policies and procedures to ensure the security of the school’s digital assets and compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
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Maintain accountability for cybersecurity defenses and data protection strategies.
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Facilitate continuous improvement of security protocols and practices in collaboration with external consultants and service providers.
Team Management and Development:
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Directly supervise a diverse IT team, fostering an environment of growth and innovation.
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Oversee the recruitment, development, and retention of IT staff.
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Ensure that team members are provided with continuous professional development opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Operational Management:
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Manage the school’s technology infrastructure, including data management systems, network architecture, and IT support services.
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Oversee the allocation and management of the technology budget, ensuring effective use of resources.
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Evaluate and integrate new technologies to continuously improve the school’s technological landscape.
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Maintain existing platform compliance with existing policy, and amend policy when platform changes require.
Vendor and Stakeholder Engagement:
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Act as a liaison with technology vendors and service providers, negotiating contracts and managing partnerships.
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Collaborate with senior leadership and key stakeholders to ensure technology initiatives are aligned with school needs.
Performing Arts:
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Supervise and approve any rentals or expenditures related to venue rental, or rental/purchased performing arts equipment to be used in the space
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Maintain ancillary performing arts technology needs for three performing spaces, along with all A/V needs
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Supervise PSM in any school-related functions or performances
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Coordinate licensing and appropriate acquisition of any materials to be used for in-school or public productions
Policy and Compliance:
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Ensure compliance with educational technology standards and legal requirements.
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Manage all aspects of IT governance, risk management, and compliance activities.
School Information Systems (Veracross):
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Backup POC for Registrar in Vendor Support Issues
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Maintain all data integrity standards and workflows for all divisions/departments using the system
Primary Technology Support:
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Senior Leadership: Head of School, Associate Head of School, Assistant Head of School
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Health: Coordinating with Head Nurse
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Admissions: Coordinating with Director of Admissions
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Development and Alumni: Coordinating with Director of Development/ Development Coordinator
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Business Office: Coordinating with CFO/Controller
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Oversee integrations between SIS and LMS (Google Classroom) for classroom and roster creation
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Security: Integrations between identity management and security systems
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Facilities: oversee overlaps between physical plant and technology needs.
Diversity and Equity Commitments
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Understand and participate in all school-wide diversity and equity initiatives
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Examine administrative practice through the lens of race, identity, equity, and privilege
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Provide an equitable framework for leadership decisions
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Support a school culture that allows for social identities to feel welcome
Supervisory Responsibility
This position supervises the Informational Technology (IT) staff.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time exempt, 12-month position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a half-hour paid lunch. Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand and will be scheduled in advance. Attendance is required on professional development and parent-teacher conference days.
Travel
Travel between campuses is necessary on occasion for meetings, that are scheduled with advanced notice and are within walking distance from each other. As a part of your job requirement, all nursing staff must go on at least one overnight trip every school year.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
This job requires the ability to maintain the physical capacity required to navigate the school environment and to ensure the safety of the students.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Requirements:
Required Education & Experience
Proven experience as a CTO, or in a similar leadership role within an educational or education-related technology setting.
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Strong understanding of cybersecurity, IT policy, and system architecture.
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Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to manage and inspire a team.
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Experience in managing budgets and IT projects.
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Experience running a Google Apps for Education environment, Windows device management, Meraki networking, and cloud-based telecommunications services
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Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends when necessary.
The Interim CTO role is critical in supporting the school’s mission through strategic use of technology, ensuring operational excellence and security in all technology-related endeavors.
Application
To apply, please upload a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three professional references as a .pdf (preferable) or word document. If your background and experience are appropriate for the position, you will be contacted directly by a member of our search committee.
We offer a rewarding work experience in downtown Brooklyn, NY, where we encourage employees to bring their whole selves to work. We recognize, appreciate, celebrate, and honor our diverse community as we build an awareness of who each individual is and who we are collectively.
Please visit our website for more information on our school and a full list of vacancies.
In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, this position's annual base salary range is $190,000 - $210,000. Mary McDowell Friends School considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, essential skills, internal peer equity, and market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Employment at Mary McDowell Friends School is based solely on qualifications and competence for a particular position, without regard to race, color, ethnic origin, nationality, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, familial status, or any other category protected by the law. Mary McDowell Friends School’s policy of non-discrimination extends to all employment practices including but not limited to hiring, transfer, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, layoffs, and termination.