Chief Technology Officer

Educational Media Foundation - K-LOVE & Air1•Franklin, TN

About The Position

The Chief Technology Officer is the technology gatekeeper for the ministry. They are responsible for the vision, leadership and execution of technology solutions, working closely with Ministry leadership to set the strategic direction for the application of technology. Working closely with the CEO and Ministry Leadership Team, this position has exceptional relationship and influencing skills and can translate technology solutions into value speak. This role will lead teams in the areas of technology, broadcast engineering and facilities to ensure the Ministry’s facilities and infrastructure meet and exceed expectations, and to position K-LOVE as a technological leader so that we can anticipate and meet our listener needs. Knows with whom, how, when, and what to communicate. Communication is flavored with grace, respect, and humility. Listens well and willingly receives and applies feedback. The ability to relate to others in a way that brings out the best in individuals, groups, and the ministry as a whole. This also includes the team members insight into others. For example, listening skills, writing skills, and interpersonal skills. For team leaders, the leader has demonstrated the ability to hire and develop people on their team. The ability to think and plan strategically and translate that thinking into sustained results. Other areas include team members’ ability to do their job and understand all aspects of their role, their capacity to take charge when it makes sense and to solve problems and resolve issues. For team leaders, this includes ability to formulate and present goals, manage to their budget, see beyond the short term and envision the big picture. The ability to maintain capacity and openness to God's leading by staying physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy. Emotional examples of this could include team members flexibility, consistency, adaptability, personal discipline, and ability to manage stress. Sees with a future focus beyond daily operations to establish and articulate vision and develop creative solutions. Obtains information and identifies key issues and relationships relevant to achieving a long-range goal or vision; commits to a course of action to accomplish a long-range goal or vision after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, available resources, constraints, and organizational values. Inspires and motivates others to take action.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
Minimum 10+ years’ experience in Technology Management/Leadership within an enterprise-wide IT environment, managing all facets of IT. Demonstrated experience and solid track record of success at a CTO level of leadership.
Minimum of 10-12 years’ experience in a technological field.
Operates at an executive level demonstrating relationship and influencing skills and deep technology knowledge.
Has served successfully in an executive or senior level position. Demonstrated track record of leading teams, mentoring others, and thriving cross functionally.
Understands media and broadcast industry and technology trends and factors them into the development and roll out of new products, solutions, and services across networking, digital, and security platforms as well as adjacent technologies.
Demonstration of successful leadership within a matrix organization.
Detailed knowledge of computer programming languages, techniques and systems analysis including cloud-based platforms and SaaS models.
Deep working knowledge in radio broadcasting, specifically broadcast engineering.
Demonstrates experience at setting the strategic direction for the application of technology.
Demonstrates adherence to values including servant leadership, accountability, collaboration, results driven and mentor/coach mentality.
Proven IT expense/capital planning, budgeting, and measuring experience.
Experience managing network systems, with experience in leading and executing enterprise system and data security strategies.
Extensive experience with principles and practices of large-scale data management and administration.
Proven professional experience in leading and managing software application development processes across the product life cycle.
Effective at evaluating, selecting, and working with outside technology partners and alliances.
Understands that “people” are as much “the work” as technology. Inspires and motivates others to give their best every day.
Strong emotional intelligence. Knows themselves (strengths and weaknesses) and can recognize strengths and weaknesses in others and get the best out of them.
A collaborative and flexible style, with strong service mentality. Need to be seen as a team player.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop sincere business/ministry relationships.
Demonstrated commitment to the social sector with a passion for our mission and values.
Must pass a pre-employment reference and background scree
Proof of legal authorization to work in the United States required upon hire.
Must agree with K-LOVE Christ-Centered Life Covenant and Statement of Faith

Responsibilities

Proactively influence our culture, leading by example in demonstrating collaboration, empowerment, innovation, creativity and service, while being a faithful witness on and off the job of K-LOVE’s mission to create compelling media that inspires and encourages our listeners to have a meaningful relationship with Christ.
As a member of leadership, contribute to long term planning and vision implementation through identification of strategic technology initiatives, collaboration, prioritization, communication, and evaluation of results, while preserving K-LOVE’s reputation for integrity and excellence.
Engage CEO on Technology issues, trends, and proposals for strategic initiatives and delivery.
Collaborate closely with departments throughout the ministry regarding technology issues.
Oversee strategic planning and implementation for Engineering & Technology Group, with a focus on goals, timelines, budgets, communication, results tracking, and celebration.
Assess Technology performance against both annual goals and plans. Provide strategic recommendations based on operational analysis, research, and projections, cost identification and allocation, and resource analysis. Ensure tools and systems are in place to provide critical operational and project information to the CEO and others and make actionable recommendations on both strategic goals and operational constraints.
Provide leadership for the Engineering & Technology Group function, ensuring ministry wide collaboration and communication, facilitating appropriate resolution of issues, and competing priorities. Ensure alignment of initiatives with Ministry objective.
This role serves as the technological visionary for technology, products, and internal development processes within the ministry.
Consolidates and manages all technology delivery services for the ministry leadership using relationship and influencing skills.
Collaborate with leadership for future product development. Drives how technology will be incorporated into the overall strategic plan and future product development. Focuses on the long-term but does not ignore the short-term. Considers fundamental business and technology trends to help shape product and service roadmaps as well as areas for investment and acquisition. Responsible especially for longer term (3-5 years) strategy that requires a deep understanding of media technologies, development approaches, and operations.
Determine an Information Technology Strategy & Roadmap by creating a prioritized, strategic roadmap of initiatives that position IT to create value for the organization and its listeners through internal capabilities and emerging technology investments.
Demonstrates logical business thinking and focuses on the most important things that the ministry needs to do. Aligns goals across different functions in the ministry and simplifies things so that others can understand, evaluate, and act on them. Makes the tough calls on technology based on a fundamental understanding. Appreciates that speed to market (internal agility), communication and excellence are important factors in succeeding in the future.
Attracts, develops, and retains the best technical talent in the industry. Focus is on two main areas, an operations team, and an innovation technology team. Consistently invests time to develop both internal and attract external talent. Mentors and builds top notch team. Helps up-level talent with promotions, transfers or by making the tough call to exit.
Provides leadership across technology, facilities, engineering and development functions, including innovation, product development and support, network infrastructure, and data centers.
Through the Engineering team, ensure that new and existing broadcast facilities are compliant with both applicable FCC rules and good engineering practice with an eye toward reliability. Validate expeditious restoration to proper operation of any facility found to be out of compliance and encourage efforts toward the goal of reducing and eliminating broadcast facility downtime.
Work in collaboration with other teams to ensure that broadcast facilities are efficiently managed throughout their lifecycle. This includes site construction, maintenance, modification, and decommissioning.
Monitor the progress of operational projects within areas of oversight and work to ensure those activities occur according to schedule and budget.
Participate in strategic decisions about broadcast-related technologies and advise the CEO on technological and procedural advances.
Drives the evaluation, adoption, and governance of emerging technologies (e.g., AI, automation, and data platforms) to enhance operational efficiency, audience engagement, and Ministry impact.
Lead the implementation and ongoing monitoring of artificial intelligence technologies and solutions to ensure effectiveness, responsible use, and alignment with ministry objectives.
Is gifted at stretching teams beyond what they think is possible – celebrates and inspires them along the way.
Established criteria for measuring, assessing, and reporting the performance of each function of the role, following sound KPI practices.
Directs the study of new technology to determine its utility, consistency with company technology standards, relevance for meeting business goals and return on investment.
Serves from a place of spiritual strength. Relies and is connected with Jesus through prayer, Scripture, service, and fellowship. Is passionate about reaching others for Christ. Is encouraging and encourages others during good times and bad.
Shows a passion for technology, ministry and leadership and brings it into every interaction, innovation, and problem resolution. Understands the vision of reaching others for Christ through media, but also overflows with ideas and visions for what specifically we could be doing more of.
Assesses IT technology solutions for feasibility, ensuring the value received is aligned with the level of investment.
Ensure high standards are maintained in legal compliance and security as it relates to information systems and broadcast engineering.
Communicates effectively, both internally and externally, with individuals at a variety of levels.
Establishes and maintains beneficial relationships with suppliers, technical innovators, and industry organizations. Uses these relationships to develop an understanding of the most likely direction that major industry trends are likely to take.
Provide strategic leadership, mentoring and developing a highly competent and responsive Technology team, ensuring alignment of goals and ministry initiatives with K-LOVE’s mission. Foster a learning environment where training, risk management, operational best practices, and biblical values go hand in hand with creative and entrepreneurial solution that best fulfill the ministry’s mission.
Provide functional leadership to Technology departments.
Use the K-LOVE Leadership Framework in setting professional goals for self and direct reports. Actively seek and partake in training & education to deepen Biblical understanding, media/business acumen, leadership knowledge, interpersonal awareness, and communication skills.
Demonstrate the qualities of a life-time learner in the disciplines relevant to effectively lead and perform job duties by taking personal responsibility for professional development and training.
Actively participate and contribute to Ministry-wide initiatives and projects like Gratitude Fest, Daily Prayer, All Team Meetings, All Team Celebrations - like our Spring Jam, Team Member Celebration as announced. These initiatives, and others, are key components of the Ministry, our culture and more fun to do together!
Support and contribute to ministry endeavors by following employment policies and practices and supporting a safe and healthy work environment. Specifically, follow K-LOVE’s Injury Prevention and Safety program, support and maintain safety standards, and participate in safety training.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Job responsibilities are subject to review and change.