Vice President Information Technology

Who is Water Mission?

Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Since 2001, Water Mission has served more than 8 million people in 60 countries, sharing safe water and the message of God’s love. Working at Water Mission is as much a calling as it is a career, and we are searching for people with the courage, passion, and drive to help us change the world. Read more about our Statement of Faith and Our Christian Mission.

What is the opportunity?

The Vice President (VP) of Information Technology (IT) is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization’s information technology strategy, systems, and infrastructure. This leadership role ensures the effective and efficient use of technology to support and advance the mission of the organization. The VP will manage IT operations, ensure security and integrity of all systems, and drive innovation in technology solutions that enhance the organization’s capacity to serve its stakeholders and achieve its goals. This is a full-time position based in Charleston, SC, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO). The VP will collaborate closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to align IT with the organization’s overall strategic objectives.

A successful VP, Information Technology will:

• Maintain a strong Christian witness and model servant leadership to colleagues, partners, the communities we serve, and the public.
• Engage and participate in prayer before and after team meetings.
• Lead and participate in biblically based staff devotions.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with other leaders throughout the organization.
• Successfully lead and manage the four areas mentioned below.
• Other duties as assigned.

This position will oversee and manage the following areas:

Strategic IT Leadership:

• Develop and implement the IT strategy in alignment with the organization’s overall mission and goals.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to integrate IT into organizational strategy and recommend new technologies or approaches to enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Lead digital transformation initiatives, leveraging data analytics, automation, and emerging technologies to optimize operations.
• Ensure technology investments support the needs of staff, volunteers, and the community served by the organization.
• Support establishing IT governance policies, ensuring compliance with nonprofit IT best practices.

Technology Infrastructure Management:

• Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, networks, databases and cloud-based services.
• Assess and implement new systems, applications, and software that enhance operations, streamline workflows, and improve efficiency.
• Lead innovation in technology solutions that will expand the reach and impact of the organization’s programs.
• Manage relationships with third-party vendors and contractors for technology services and support.
• Ensure high system availability and performance, proactively addressing issues that could disrupt operations.
• Ensure that all technology operations comply with relevant laws and regulations, such as data privacy laws and nonprofit industry standards.

Cybersecurity and Data Protection:

• Lead efforts to ensure robust cybersecurity measures are in place to protect organizational data and digital assets.
• Develop and enforce IT security policies and procedures to safeguard against breaches, including those related to client data, donor information, and organizational records.
• Oversee data backup and disaster recovery planning to minimize downtime in the event of a disruption.

Budgeting and Resource Management:

• Develop and manage the IT budget, ensuring the cost-effective allocation of resources.
• Prioritize IT projects based on the organization’s strategic objectives and available funding.
• Monitor and report on IT spending, ensuring accountability for the organization’s IT investments.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Lead and mentor the IT team as a servant leader who exhibits the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), fostering a flourishing culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Ensure staff development and training opportunities to keep the IT team current with emerging technologies.
• Provide guidance on staff needs related to technology, helping them improve their digital proficiency and productivity.

What is required?

• Personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Alignment with Water Mission’s Statement of Faith and core values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field. A Master’s degree or relevant certifications (such as CISSP, PMP, etc.) is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of IT experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role, preferably within a non-profit organization.
• Strong technical background with expertise in IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data management.
• Proven experience in managing IT budgets, teams, and complex technology projects.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into non-technical language for diverse audiences.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate ideas and feedback constructively.
• This position leads work across all of our country programs and the US. Travel to our country programs and/or regional meetings in Africa or Central America is expected annually, resulting in an average of one or two international trips per year.
• Home internet bandwidth strong enough to support video conferencing and other job-related responsibilities.
• Commitment to ending the global water crisis.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.