Director of Technology

About NCCS

New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9 living in Fairfield and Westchester Counties. Located in New Canaan, CT, and serving 570 students, our mission is to guide students to reach their intellectual, creative, moral, and physical potential. A talented and devoted faculty engages our students in developmentally appropriate ways, delivering a challenging curriculum that builds intellectual skills and fosters creative and critical thinking. We lead by example and challenge students to fulfill their potential, find their path, and follow their passions whether in the classroom, on the playing fields, on the stage, or serving the community.

Technology at New Canaan Country School encompasses academic, administrative, and infrastructure areas, including oversight of the hardware, software, and networking needs, of the uses of technology within the curriculum, of supporting administrative functions such as enrollment, finance, fundraising, and marketing, among others, and of related areas such as parent education and student wellbeing regarding technology. New Canaan Country School seeks a Director of Technology who will provide leadership for and management of technology throughout the school.

The Director of Technology is a hands-on administrator who leads a team of four (4) information, systems, and academic technology specialists to implement, manage, and improve the infrastructure, hardware, and software that serve the needs of all departments, divisions and constituencies within the school in addition to overseeing the use of technology in the school’s classrooms. With a service leadership mindset, this role will provide a big-picture perspective while supporting and encouraging new initiatives throughout the school, both programmatically and administratively. This position has opened during the perfect moment of Country School’s long-range planning, with a new strategic plan adopted in June 2021, and includes an opportunity to help shape the strategic vision, define optimal team structure, and design an ideal deployment of resources for the school’s future.

The successful candidate will possess strong technical skills, knowledge of teaching and instructional design with technology, experience with project management and managing vendors, and a service-oriented approach. This is a 12-month position with a start date of July 1, 2022. This position reports to the Chief Financial Officer and works closely with the Head of School while collaborating with other senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Manage all IT infrastructure, software, hardware, and systems activities and resources, including relationships with vendors and service providers

• Manage a staff of technology specialists, supervising their work and helping to develop their capabilities

• Oversee and support the development and design of technology and innovation curriculum, particularly in its integration to all aspects of the students’ experiences.

• Develop and control the annual operating and capital expenditure budget for IT to ensure it is consistent with the school's overall strategic objectives

• Provide and maintain a high-quality technical support environment for all students, faculty, and staff

• Facilitate the development of best-in-class classroom and virtual educational technology solutions in collaboration with academic leadership

• Research, prepare, and present recommendations to leadership for improvement and/or replacement of major infrastructure, systems, and processes

• Collaborate with the academic and administrative leadership to establish an IT strategic plan, nested within an overall technology plan, in support of the school's mission

• Demonstrate a commitment to own professional growth and development as a technologist and an organizational leader

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

• Minimum 10 years of experience in a technology & information systems role

• Experience with instructional design and teaching with technology

• Expertise in administering & monitoring the following technology platforms and systems:

  • Apple Hardware and Software: macOS, iOS, JAMF Pro/Mobile Device Management,

  • Google Workspace: GSuite Apps, SSO, Drive, etc.

  • Microsoft: Windows Server and Windows 10, Microsoft Active Directory and Group Policy, Office 365 Suite and Azure AD

  • VMware and SANs: Server virtualization

  • Networking protocols including DHCP, DNS, routing, and switching

• Preferred:

  • Degree in IT, computer science, engineering, curriculum design, teaching, or related field desired

  • Experience in and in-depth knowledge of K-12 and/or higher-ed educational environments

  • Experience in a supervisory role

  • Blackbaud Data systems including RE, FE and Education Management

  • Network and process automation using PowerShell, Python, and PHP, or other similar development environments

  • Knowledge of and facility with API-driven system integrations

  • Relevant technical certifications

Desired Qualities

• Demonstrates commitment to collaborative and team-building processes

• Communicates clearly in writing and verbally

• Is organized and pays attention to detail

• Finds fulfillment in working in a PK-9 school environment

• Manages complex projects effectively, partnering with key stakeholders

• Takes joy in serving the needs of others

• Demonstrates a commitment to professional growth