Director of Technology Operations

Company Description

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:

By 2025, KIPP DC will build upon two decades of proven results to develop into a more impactful, innovative, and inclusive school system that provides joyful, identity-affirming learning experiences so that all students and alumni achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Our work is grounded in a commitment to excellence, equity, and justice. We believe all students have the right to rigorous, relevant, and joyful learning experiences led by exceptionally talented and diverse educators who promote student achievement and a sense of belonging. We believe students and teachers best succeed when surrounded by an ecosystem of supports, including our central headquarters team that supports KIPP DC’s 20 schools, 7,300 students, and 1,300 teachers, leaders, and staff members dedicated to this mission.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Director of Technology Operations helps lead the vision for KIPP DC’s technology operations. S/he serves as the technical lead on many large systems and software efforts aimed at improving KIPP DC’s efficiency and effectiveness.

The Director’s responsibility will be to provide creative and feasible technical ideas while identifying and mitigating risk as we define, execute, implement, and support technology solutions. S/he manages relationships and contracts with third-party vendors, consultants and service providers. The Director of Technology Operations is a critical member of the KIPP DC Headquarters team and will work closely with school leaders and the KIPP DC leadership team to guide the use of technology across the entire organization. This position is exempt and will report to the Vice President of Information.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technology Planning

• Create, sell, and implement comprehensive vision of how technology can help KIPP DC achieve its mission efficiently and effectively
• Plan and execute long-term implementation and maintenance strategies for software, hardware, data, voice, and other systems
• Plan and develop scalable infrastructure to grow and adapt along with KIPP DC’s needs

Supervision and Oversight

• Manage technology operations team
• Supervise outsourced technology providers, including but not limited to managed services vendor, to ensure the timely completion of day-to-day support activities as well as the completion of long term projects.
• Develop policies and procedures for day-to-day activities related to hardware and infrastructure (acceptable use agreements, security, backup and disaster recovery, etc.).

IT Security & Risk Management 

• Provide strategic and operational security guidance for all IT projects, including the evaluation of the enterprise architecture, hardware, software, and technical controls
• Identify IT security risks and develop actionable plans to protect the organization, including timely triage of IT security events to limit the potential scope of the damage.
• Assist in formulation and enforcement of network security policies and procedures
• Conduct and document any IT-related investigation efforts, including security incident response, e-Discovery requests, forensic evidence collection, tracking, and analysis
• With managed service provider, develop, maintain, and monitor the security of the network infrastructure to protect KIPP DC’s, brand recognition and reputation, through the deployment of physical security of servers and storage, firewalls, VPNs, SSL certificates, intrusion prevention, and validation using periodic vulnerability assessments
• Develop and deliver an IT security awareness program for both IT staff and end-users
• Oversee security incident response planning as well as performing the investigation of security breaches, eDiscovery, and other forensic investigation requests

Procurement, Budget, and Asset Management 

• Support the technology procurement process from start to finish, including vendor assessments, budgets, negotiations, and contracts
• Support the development of the IT budget and provide guidance for school budgets to ensure efficiency and preservation of assets
• Support procurement, inventory and surplus of technology equipment, systems and related services for the purpose of ensuring that all technology purchases for goods and/or services are consistent with KIPP DC technology objectives, and that equipment is properly inventoried or surplused consistent with regulations 

Technology Project Management

• Provide technical perspective and solution ideas to teammates in response to “how could we improve this process?” requests. Investigate and advise teammates on risks and benefits of alternative solutions.
• Work with project managers to provide technical input on project scope, risks, alternatives, schedule, resources
• Select and manage technical and project vendors to deliver solutions according to clearly defined expectations
• Provide reports and documentation as needed on IT projects
• Ensure smooth integration of new technologies into KIPP DC’s IT environment

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred
• 5 years of relevant work experience
• Experience managing/supporting applications and services such as PowerSchool, Google Apps, Active Directory, Okta, and Quickbase.
• Unwavering determination to do whatever it takes to help our students succeed
• Talent for listening, asking effective questions, and synthesizing information
• Proven ability to research complex problems and develop creative, cost effective solutions
• Track record of driving out inefficiencies and making systems/processes more repeatable and scalable
• Obsessed with how to improve software and systems so that real people can use them to get real work done more effectively
• Experience doing current state analysis, needs assessment, process mapping, and functional analysis
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills as well as ability to manage up effectively 
• Easily establish effective working relationships with educators, executives, and techies
• Excellent organization, time management and follow-up skills; high sense of urgency; demonstrated ability to successfully handle multiple projects concurrently; ability to work independently
• Strong data analysis and data presentation skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills

Preferred/Plus

• Post-Bachelor’s degree (ex. Masters’ or professional school equivalent)
• 7 years of relevant work experience
• Experience working in K-12 context
• Experience with other commercial regulations and data privacy standards such as ISO27001, ISO27018 GDPR, SOC 2, or PCI
• An understanding of basic networking concepts: IPsec tunnels, firewalls, routers, public and private addressing
• Security/privacy specific training and certification such as CIPT, CRISC, CISSP, CISM

Additional Information

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:

• The anticipated starting salary for this position is $112,042-$138,403. At KIPP DC we strive for clarity, equity, and to be highly competitive. When determining salaries we look at benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector.  
• KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer paid benefits such as short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and a membership to One Medical.

• KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% employer contribution and a 3% match with vesting after three years.
• Currently, individuals in this role have up to 15 paid time off days, up to 10 paid sick days, and 12 paid holidays. This is subject to change and your exact schedule will be shared in your offer letter.
• As a headquarters team that is focused on being responsive to our schools and meeting the needs of our students and families, we approach our work in a way that reflects these priorities. Schools operate in person and our students and families rely on us for in-person support, and this position will regularly provide on-site support to school teams, frequently partner with other headquarters teams, or regularly work in multiple locations. Because of the nature of the work, this role allows for occasional flexibility. This role will have approximately 20% flexibility to work remotely.  

HOW TO APPLY:
All interested applicants should visit online at http://www.kippdc.org/careers/apply-now/ and the job posting located under “Leadership and Support Staff” section.  If you have any questions, please contact the Recruitment Team via e-mail at [email protected]. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal, DC, state, or local law), religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), marital status (including domestic partnership status), genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, family responsibilities, personal appearance, veteran status, uniform service member status, status of being unemployed, status of victim a survivor of domestic violence, sexual offense or stalking, matriculation or any other protected class under federal, state, DC, or local law. 

Click here or here to review KIPP DC’s non-discrimination policy and KIPP DC’s Title IX Coordinator’s contact information.

KIPP DC requires all staff to provide proof that they have had all doses of a primary COVID vaccine or obtain approval for exemption for medical or religious reasons before beginning employment. New hires who have not received all doses of a primary vaccine or who are waiting approval for exemption will not be able to begin employment.  

All KIPP DC staff are strongly encouraged to stay up to date on their vaccinations. The CDC currently defines being up to date on the COVID vaccine as having had all doses of a primary vaccine and as having received a booster, if eligible.