Director of Information Technology

Excel Academy Charter Schools•Chelsea, MA

1d•$100,000 - $135,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Information Technology will provide operational and strategic leadership, direction (defining the path forward), and administration (facilitating execution) of technology services across the network. This role will develop, recommend, and implement technology systems, policies, and long-term strategy to ensure that technology is reliable, compliant, cost-effective, and aligned to instructional and operational priorities. The Director of IT serves as the single accountable owner of IT across the network, responsible for both day-to-day system performance and long-term design and optimization of the technology ecosystem. This is a hybrid role based in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The Director of IT is expected to work on-site at schools or network offices at least 2 days per week Travel between Massachusetts and Rhode Island schools is required; all travel is reimbursed During peak operational periods (e.g., summer readiness, start of school, major events, testing windows), this role may require up to 5 days per week on-site based on school and network needs Starting Salary & Start Date: $100k - -$135k, commensurate with experience. The ideal candidate would start as soon as possible.

Requirements

5–7+ years of experience in technology, operations, or systems leadership, including experience managing complex projects or functions
Experience owning or improving systems that support multiple teams, schools, or sites
Ability to lead vendors or external partners and ensure high-quality service delivery
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and follow through on key initiatives
Comfort working with technology systems and data, and the ability to learn new tools quickly
Familiarity with data privacy and security best practices in a school or similar environment
Strong communication skills, with the ability to work across technical and non-technical teams
Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with a range of stakeholders
The ability to focus and thrive in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment
You share a commitment to and belief in all students and the mission of Excel Academy Charter Schools, including Excel’s values and educational model
You are committed to addressing racial and economic inequity in education
You work effectively in a team environment and have a willingness and desire to support others in doing their best work
You are open to change, are willing to problem-solve, and seek feedback for your own professional growth and improvement.

Nice To Haves

Preference will be given to applicants who share points of intersection with our students, such as speaking Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, or a language commonly spoken by our students and families at an advanced level, being first generation college graduates, or having grown up low-income.

Responsibilities

Technology Strategy & Organizational Leadership
Serve as the single accountable owner of technology across the network, setting vision, priorities, and standards aligned to school needs
Translate organizational goals into a clear, multi-year technology roadmap that balances reliability, innovation, and cost
Build operating models that clarify ownership between network and school teams and drive consistent execution across schools
Lead change management for major technology initiatives, ensuring strong adoption and staff readiness
Technology Operations, Infrastructure & Service Delivery
Oversee end-to-end IT operations, ensuring responsive, reliable, and high-quality support to schools and network teams
Own infrastructure strategy and execution, including devices, networks, and core systems, to ensure consistent and secure performance
Monitor system performance and user experience, using data to proactively address issues and improve service delivery
Serve as escalation point for critical incidents and ensure strong readiness for high-stakes moments (e.g., testing)
Vendor Management, Procurement & Financial Stewardship
Own relationships with technology vendors and managed service providers, setting performance expectations and ensuring accountability
Lead procurement strategy and RFP processes to secure high-quality, cost-effective solutions
Manage the technology budget and align investments to long-term organizational priorities and total cost of ownership
Oversee technology funding sources (e.g., E-Rate), ensuring compliance and strategic use of funds
Systems, Security & Compliance
Ensure all technology systems meet data privacy, security, and accessibility requirements (e.g., FERPA, COPPA, Title II)
Build sustainable systems for data governance, risk management, and compliance that reduce manual oversight
Oversee identity, access, and device management to ensure secure and scalable onboarding and offboarding
Ensure strong integration and performance across core systems (SIS, Google environment, assessment platforms)
School Technology Enablement (Staff & Student)
Set strategy and systems for staff and student technology, including device lifecycle, inventory, and readiness
Ensure schools are equipped with the tools, resources, and clarity to effectively manage technology at the site level
Partner with school and academic teams to ensure classroom technology supports teaching and learning
Maintain clear documentation and training systems to enable consistent execution across schools
Innovation & Emerging Technology
Evaluate and guide adoption of new technologies, including AI, ensuring alignment to instructional and operational priorities
Balance innovation with practicality, ensuring new tools are scalable, compliant, and value-add
Build internal capacity to responsibly implement and manage emerging technologies across the organization