Director of Information Technology

Southridge School is a K-12 university preparatory day school located in South Surrey, British Columbia, with a total enrolment of 668 students. Founded in 1995 and having graduated our first class in 1999, we are a young but well-established and very successful school, ranking consistently as a top school in the province. Southridge develops well-rounded graduates with a deep sense of personal integrity who have the moral character, love of learning and self–confidence to realize their full potential. Our faculty and staff members share a deep sense of purpose that is guided by our school's vision, mission and guiding principles. We believe in the value of teamwork and seek opportunities to contribute to our school community and influence the wider world by inspiring and educating students who make a difference in the world.

We are currently seeking applicants for a full-time Director of Information Technology. The Director of Information Technology provides leadership to identify, select and implement technology solutions that align with the school's strategic direction and meet the business and academic requirements of the school. In addition, this role is responsible for managing the day to day operations of the department including infrastructure, administration of systems, networks, project management and technical support.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Planning

• Develops, implements, and supports information systems plans including development and support of mission-critical systems and technology infrastructure, disaster recovery and business continuity, and appropriate enhancement of technology-based solutions in all areas of the school. Responsible for monitoring the outcomes and results of such strategies.
• Leads the Information Technology strategic and operational planning processes and develops the school's technology road map.
• Ensures the Information Technology resources are organized and deployed effectively and efficiently to meet the school's strategic objectives.
• Establishes criteria to prioritize information technology needs within the allocated budget, and oversee the development of project plans to deliver on priorities.
• Reviews all business requirements prior to solution development
• Continuously develops an understanding of emerging trends in the use of instructional and administrative technologies.

2. Leading

• Provides leadership and direction on the planning, deployment, implementation and streamlining of all technology resources across the school.
• Supports the Educational Technology Leaders in the delivery of innovative and creative use of technology.
• Oversee the successful alignment of the school's IT infrastructure with Southridge's educational and business priorities.
• Develops and maintains a collaborative working relationship with the management and academic leadership teams, employees, vendors and the ISABC Information Technology collaborative working group.
• Promotes professional growth in faculty by inspiring the personalized and creative use of technology.

3. Managing

• Oversees the school's business relations with technology providers.
• Accountable for the delivery of all Information Technology services and assets throughout the school including software and technology architecture for both business and educational systems.
• Develops, evaluates and updates all IT policies and procedures in line with best practices.
• Approves and oversees the management of the annual Information Technology budget by helping the school prioritize and balance strategic, operational and compliance projects.
• Ensures quality, accuracy, security, privacy, compliance and integrity of systems and data are maintained whether in house or externally supported.
• Ensures ongoing support for the development of the website and associated web properties, including adherence to design, accessibility and performance requirements. Conducts capacity planning with the Systems Administrator for bandwidth, storage requirements, messaging, and other applications.
• Assists in identifying, current and future, IT requirements for school buildings or renovations.
• Provides effective leadership, direction, coaching and mentoring to the IT team.
• Manages and documents IT projects from design to implementation.
• Plays a lead role and collaborates with management and academic leadership on IT related projects, analyzing business requirements, providing advice and guidance to ensure IT systems are secure and resources are utilized efficiently.
• Works with the Systems Administrator to document network and enterprise infrastructure including software and hardware architecture.
• Establishes IT metrics to measure IT performance relative to cost, value creation and customer satisfaction in the key areas of operating systems, network management and desktop support.
• Protects the school and its operations against IT risks, including unauthorized access to information, data integrity, loss of processing capability and poor service levels.

Education:

• University degree in Information Systems or Computer Science.

Experience

• Minimum 12 years of IT experience combined with at least 2 years of this time managing a complex information systems infrastructure within an educational environment.
• Minimum 6 years in an IT leadership role with strong exposure to project management, team leadership, and IT strategy development.
• Comprehensive knowledge of business and academic technology, innovations, and best practices.
• Advanced knowledge of project management principles including planning, scheduling, and execution of short- and long-term projects.
• Advanced knowledge of principles, methods and techniques of systems analysis, design, development, implementation and operation.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of network security (VPN networks, firewall, encryption) and protocols using best practices.
• Knowledge of regulations and policies from the Ministry of Education that govern BC's education system.
• Familiar with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).
• Proven ability to lead a collaborative, efficient, collegial team.
• Familiar with how youth use technology beyond the classroom and the impact on health and wellness.
• Knowledge of Blackbaud is an asset.

Skills:

• A proven ability to plan, think, lead and act strategically.
• Ability and willingness to maintain skills in technology.
• Understanding of business context and trends.
• Ability to understand classroom and business issues and opportunities, and translate them into technology solutions.
• Ability to work strategically, creatively, and effectively to support the Senior Management Team.
• Creative problem-solving skills coupled with good judgment.
• The ability to communicate clearly in written and oral form with a diversity of constituents.
• Highly developed analytical skills.
• Ability to attract, retain, develop, manage, and motivate a highly skilled staff.
• Ability to provide mentoring and/or training to employees.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
• Highly motivated and well organized with attention to detail.
• Ability to work with a wide variety of projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to build and establish relationships and adapt and seek solutions from a variety of perspectives.
• Professionalism, energy, passion, and commitment necessary to achieve the responsibilities of the position.

To explore this opportunity, please submit a letter and c.v. to dreamjobs@itmindfinders.com

We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those under consideration will be contacted.