Director of Information Technology

About IMS : Independence Mission Schools (IMS) educate students of all faiths living throughout Philadelphia. Our inspiring new network of 14 schools blends the best of Catholic education with innovative teaching strategies designed to meet the unique learning needs of all students.

Independence Mission Schools is hiring for a Director of Information Technology. This position will be based at the central office and rotate throughout all 14 schools in the Independence Mission Schools network. The position will be responsible for all facets of Technical Support, in conjunction with multiple external vendors. Responsibilities will include monitoring and maintaining computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software issues, and solving technical and applications problems. This role requires engagement with leadership, staff, and educators to foster responsible and effective use of technology.

Essential Responsibilities and Knowledge

• Strategic IT planning and execution :
• Assessing the current landscape of IMS' IT and IT support and develop and implement a plan to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and support. This includes assessing inventory, support systems, and vendors and making a recommendation for how to best structure the IT team and support over the long term.
• Lead e-Rate application process to fully maximize government funded resources to plan out the next 5-years of networking needs.
• Collaborate with academic and operations teams to align technology goals to organizational goals.
• Keep current with technology trends and identify opportunities for creativity and innovation.
• Develop and implement technologies, policies, guidelines and procedures to support the nework's evolving needs.
• Implement and maintain a comprehensive asset management system for tracking hardware and software resources and life cycles.
• Develop and manage the IT budget in collaboration with the Deputy Chief of Operations, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
• Create, implement and monitor cybersecurity practices to protect systems and data.
• Develop disaster recovery and continuity plans and maintain secure backups.
• Manage Tech Department Personnel :
• Hire, develop, and evaluate assigned staff
• Support IT Department staff in the daily operation of the department
• Support the professional development for members of the IT staff
• Works with other departments to share IT expertise and identify potential efficiencies through the use of technology.
• Management of External Vendors :
• Oversee vendor relationships, negotiate contracts and ensure service level agreements meet operational needs.
• IMS currently works with two different external IT support and maintenance vendors, one of which also manages all VOIP phone systems. In addition, IMS works with multiple vendors to purchase hardware and software. The Director of IT will, in the short-term, directly manage these vendors, while in the long-term recommend a structure and vendor relationship that maximizes IMS' IT support to schools, within and adhering to budget constraints.
• Direct support to schools :
• Oversee the deployment, maintenance, and upgrade of network hardware / software.
• Plan and manage the school's telecommunications services and the integration into the school's network.
• Act as "first-responder" for monitoring and responding to support tickets submitted by schools; send requests that cannot be met internally to external support vendors and referring major hardware or software problems or defective products to vendors or technicians for service.
• Report clearly and regularly to stakeholders on progress toward objectives
• Installing and performing minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications including Smartboards and projectors
• Ability to configure, manage, and maintain a variety of devices - both on the network and in classrooms
• Setting up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems, or appropriate software.
• Creation and delivery of professional development for teaching staff to best utilize our school-based technology
• Establishment and maintenance of internship program
• Create and manage relationships with local colleges, universities, and / or training programs to establish a pipeline of interns placed with IMS to serve our tech support needs
• Manage relationship with partner high schools to create strong learning opportunities for student interns
• Determine the number of interns needed at any given time and supervise and mentor them s throughout the year to balance their on-the-job learning with support of daily tech needs and larger-scale projects
• Assist and work Central Office special events that require IT support, may include evening and weekend
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

Requirements