Director of Information Technology

The Director of Information Technology Services is responsible for providing the vision, leadership, planning and management of information technology systems and services to advance the mission of the Taft School.  The Director will set the strategic direction and be personally involved with the practical implementation of information-technology and data-security initiatives across all areas of development, acquisition, implementation, and support.

The Director develops long-range and annual plans which support and respond to the School’s mission and its strategic and operational plans while leading the provision of excellent support services to the community and ensuring appropriate information security and data privacy.  In keeping with the School’s collaborative and collegial environment, the Director will be responsible for promoting a school culture of regular, enthusiastic, and responsible use of technology in both the instructional and administrative efforts.

The Director will supervise and lead a staff of seven professionals. As the leader of IT-related planning, resources, services, and operations, the Director will ensure the ongoing development of the professional technical staff in a team environment to ensure a strategic approach to technology for academic and administrative functions.  The Director will be responsible for overseeing the budget and expenditures of all areas in Information Technology Services while prioritizing and promoting a culture of customer support and best practices.

Guided by the School’s policies and procedures, the Director will audit how information systems are being used, will establish compliance where necessary, and will provide effective leadership in information security policies and solutions designed to keep Taft users and data safe without impeding effective teaching and learning.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

The Director has the opportunity to provide further definition and guidance to the ITS organization in the following key ways:

• Lead the School community in the development and implementation of a comprehensive information technology program that furthers the mission of Taft, that is transparent as to investment needs, outcomes, performance measurements, and that can anticipate future trends balancing continuous innovation with responsible risk taking.
• Lead the School’s information technology staff, fostering a service-oriented, collaborative, and efficient information technology services function capable of addressing the diverse needs of a world-class school and its constituents; assess customer needs and ensure an outstanding approach towards technology for academic and administrative functions alike; communicate proactively to solicit and identify new opportunities to develop value-added academic and business products and services.
• Interact with Taft leadership to support the attainment of key outcomes in a manner that promotes teamwork, credibility, and trust; collaborate, coordinate, and develop synergistic partnerships across campus; provide direction and assistance in the development and execution of long-term technology plans that address faculty, student, staff, and alumni expectations. Report clearly and regularly to stakeholders on progress towards objectives.
• Provide leadership for the IT staff by developing and maintaining a highly-regarded technology services organization that sustains a culture of respect, collective pride, and individual and group professional development; foster a working environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, transparency, and accountability while providing a conduit between the community and information technology services managing end-user needs with ITS functional and security responsibilities.
• Remain current on technology advancements, emerging standards and regulations, and industry trends relevant to the school’s ongoing success.  Stay abreast of major information technology initiatives across peer schools, incorporating them whenever they may further the school’s mission.
• To collaborate with the Headmaster and CFO to meet strategic technology goals.
• To provide collegial leadership by mentoring and offering technology-related workshops, training, and in-service for faculty and staff.
• To lead standing and ad hoc committees in support of the development and monitoring of the School’s vision for technology and its current implementation.
• To serve as a member of the Senior Administrative Team.
• Other duties as assigned by the Headmaster

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The Director will be a leader and a manager and will have the intellectual, technical, and interpersonal tools to support and serve the students, staff, and faculty at Taft. Specific qualifications include:

• A Master’s Degree in Management Information Systems, Computer Information Systems or related discipline is required.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in technology management, preferably in an educational environment and in progressively responsible roles.
• Passion for technology and proven leadership, management, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated success in meeting the complex needs of demanding end-users.
• Forward thinking, visionary leader of both people and programs. Record of creative and innovative applications of technology.
• Extensive familiarity with both Macintosh, Windows and Google platforms, as well as administrative software.
• Technical skill and experience coupled with a proven ability to diagnose and solve problems.
• Ability to provide complex technical information in simplified form to members of the community in written as well as spoken form.
• Able to develop and lead strategic initiatives in IT that advance the Taft mission and are consistent with its values.
• Skills in budget preparation and management and the ability to adhere to and operate within budgetary guidelines.
• Proven supervisory and staff development skills coupled with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituents in a diverse community.
• Flexibility, proactivity, sense of humor and enjoyment of working adolescents and adults in a residential community.
• Appreciation for the mission, culture, and environment of The Taft School as one of the nation’s premier independent boarding schools.

The Taft School is an independent coeducational boarding school located in Watertown, Connecticut. Founded in 1890, the world and the school have changed dramatically, but the fundamental values established by Horace Dutton Taft, the school’s founder, endure: work hard, without regard for public acclaim; develop all your talents: academic, artistic, and athletic; and most importantly, give of yourself to others. Horace Taft chose our school motto: Non ut sibi ministretur sed ut ministret—Not to be served but to serve. Today, Taft’s 124 faculty members educate 589 boys and girls from 33 states and 47 countries. Graduates attend many of the most selective universities and colleges.

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