Title
Director of IT
Location
Houston, Texas
Description
Reports to: Head of School
About Us:
Robert M. Beren Academy is a Modern Orthodox Jewish day school committed to academic excellence, Jewish values, and nurturing the next generation of Jewish leaders. The Director of IT is responsible for overseeing the technology infrastructure and operations within a K-12 educational environment. This role involves managing the IT department, ensuring the smooth operation of all technical systems, and providing strategic leadership for the development and implementation of technology initiatives that enhance the learning experience and administrative functions. The Director of IT will work closely with school leadership, faculty, staff, students, and parents to ensure that technology supports the school’s educational goals and mission.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Leadership and Strategy:
• Lead the development and implementation of the school’s IT strategy, aligning technology use with the school’s educational goals and mission.
• Stay current on emerging technology trends in education and recommend the adoption of new tools, systems, and practices to improve learning and operational efficiency.
• Develop and manage the IT budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources.
• Supervise and mentor IT staff, including technicians and support personnel, fostering a collaborative and efficient work environment.
• Provide guidance and support to school leadership on technology-related matters.
2. Infrastructure and Systems Management:
• Oversee the installation, maintenance, and security of hardware, software, and network infrastructure.
• Ensure high availability and reliability of all technical systems, including servers, networks, and digital resources.
• Manage the school’s Learning Management System (LMS), student information system (SIS), and other educational technologies.
• Implement disaster recovery and data backup solutions to protect critical systems and data.
3. Support and Training:
• Develop and deliver professional development programs for teachers and staff to enhance the use of technology in teaching and learning.
• Provide timely and efficient technical support to faculty, staff, and students, ensuring minimal disruption to daily operations.
• Offer training to staff and students on cybersecurity best practices and proper use of technology resources.
4. Cybersecurity and Compliance:
• Oversee the security of all IT systems, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and district policies (e.g., FERPA, COPPA, and data privacy laws).
• Implement robust cybersecurity protocols, including firewalls, antivirus software, and encryption technologies, to protect sensitive data.
• Monitor and respond to IT security incidents, conducting investigations and applying corrective actions as needed.
5. Vendor Management and Procurement:
• Manage relationships with external vendors, including hardware, software, and service providers, ensuring contracts and services meet the school’s needs.
• Oversee procurement of new technologies, ensuring equipment and software purchases align with the school’s budget and technology plan.
6. Collaboration and Communication:
• Foster collaboration between the IT department, teaching staff, and administration to identify and implement technology solutions that enhance the educational experience.
• Communicate effectively with various school stakeholders, including parents and the broader school community, to ensure transparency regarding technology initiatives and resources.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Education Technology, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in IT leadership, with a focus on education or K-12 environments.
• Proven experience in managing IT infrastructure, including network management, hardware and software implementation, and data security.
• Familiarity with K-12 educational technology tools, including LMS, SIS, and classroom technologies.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with a proactive and solutions-oriented approach.
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity best practices, data privacy laws, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Experience with IT budgeting, project management, and vendor negotiations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Additional Preferred Skills:
• Experience with cloud-based services and virtual learning environments.
• Knowledge of educational technology trends, such as AI in education, gamification, and personalized learning tools.
• Certification in IT management (e.g., CompTIA Network+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional - CISSP).
Working Conditions:
• Full-time, year-round position.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for system updates, emergency support, or events.
• On-call availability for urgent IT issues.
Salary:
Commensurate with experience.
Application Process:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected] and should include professional references.
About Us:
Robert M. Beren Academy is a Modern Orthodox Jewish day school committed to academic excellence, Jewish values, and nurturing the next generation of Jewish leaders. The Director of IT is responsible for overseeing the technology infrastructure and operations within a K-12 educational environment. This role involves managing the IT department, ensuring the smooth operation of all technical systems, and providing strategic leadership for the development and implementation of technology initiatives that enhance the learning experience and administrative functions. The Director of IT will work closely with school leadership, faculty, staff, students, and parents to ensure that technology supports the school’s educational goals and mission.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Leadership and Strategy:
• Lead the development and implementation of the school’s IT strategy, aligning technology use with the school’s educational goals and mission.
• Stay current on emerging technology trends in education and recommend the adoption of new tools, systems, and practices to improve learning and operational efficiency.
• Develop and manage the IT budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources.
• Supervise and mentor IT staff, including technicians and support personnel, fostering a collaborative and efficient work environment.
• Provide guidance and support to school leadership on technology-related matters.
2. Infrastructure and Systems Management:
• Oversee the installation, maintenance, and security of hardware, software, and network infrastructure.
• Ensure high availability and reliability of all technical systems, including servers, networks, and digital resources.
• Manage the school’s Learning Management System (LMS), student information system (SIS), and other educational technologies.
• Implement disaster recovery and data backup solutions to protect critical systems and data.
3. Support and Training:
• Develop and deliver professional development programs for teachers and staff to enhance the use of technology in teaching and learning.
• Provide timely and efficient technical support to faculty, staff, and students, ensuring minimal disruption to daily operations.
• Offer training to staff and students on cybersecurity best practices and proper use of technology resources.
4. Cybersecurity and Compliance:
• Oversee the security of all IT systems, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and district policies (e.g., FERPA, COPPA, and data privacy laws).
• Implement robust cybersecurity protocols, including firewalls, antivirus software, and encryption technologies, to protect sensitive data.
• Monitor and respond to IT security incidents, conducting investigations and applying corrective actions as needed.
5. Vendor Management and Procurement:
• Manage relationships with external vendors, including hardware, software, and service providers, ensuring contracts and services meet the school’s needs.
• Oversee procurement of new technologies, ensuring equipment and software purchases align with the school’s budget and technology plan.
6. Collaboration and Communication:
• Foster collaboration between the IT department, teaching staff, and administration to identify and implement technology solutions that enhance the educational experience.
• Communicate effectively with various school stakeholders, including parents and the broader school community, to ensure transparency regarding technology initiatives and resources.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Education Technology, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in IT leadership, with a focus on education or K-12 environments.
• Proven experience in managing IT infrastructure, including network management, hardware and software implementation, and data security.
• Familiarity with K-12 educational technology tools, including LMS, SIS, and classroom technologies.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with a proactive and solutions-oriented approach.
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity best practices, data privacy laws, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Experience with IT budgeting, project management, and vendor negotiations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Additional Preferred Skills:
• Experience with cloud-based services and virtual learning environments.
• Knowledge of educational technology trends, such as AI in education, gamification, and personalized learning tools.
• Certification in IT management (e.g., CompTIA Network+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional - CISSP).
Working Conditions:
• Full-time, year-round position.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for system updates, emergency support, or events.
• On-call availability for urgent IT issues.
Salary:
Commensurate with experience.
Application Process:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected] and should include professional references.
Start Date
2/12/2025