Director of Operational Technology

The Quad Preparatory School • New York, NY

2d • $100,000 - $125,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Operational Technology is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic planning, implementation, security, and continuous improvement of technology systems across both campuses and the administrative suite. This role serves as the primary owner of the School's technology environment, ensuring that technology investments, infrastructure, cybersecurity initiatives, enterprise applications, and operational systems support the School's mission and long-term goals.
The Director of Operational Technology provides leadership for day-to-day IT operations while maintaining ownership of technology projects from concept through implementation, adoption, training, documentation, and ongoing support. Acting as the primary liaison between school leadership, faculty, staff, vendors, and technology service providers, the Director of Operational Technology ensures that technology resources are secure, reliable, scalable, and aligned with organizational priorities. This is a hands-on role, combining oversight with implementation and ongoing management.
The ideal candidate is an experienced technology leader who combines strong technical expertise with project management, vendor management, operational leadership, budgeting, strategic planning skills, day-to-day active systems management, and staff support.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3-5 years of progressive IT experience.
• 1-2 years of experience managing technology projects and vendor relationships.
• Experience managing Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, networking, endpoint management, and cloud-based systems.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Experience managing multiple priorities and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience creating technical documentation, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives independently or with minimal supervision.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in technology within schools, K-12 education or nonprofit organizations.
• Project Management certification (PMP, CAPM, Agile, or equivalent).
• Experience with maintaining Meraki networking systems
• Experience with cybersecurity tools and best practices.
• Experience managing managed service providers (MSPs).
• Knowledge of physical security technologies including access control and surveillance systems.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the school's technology roadmap and strategic technology initiatives.
• Align technology projects and investments with organizational priorities and operational needs.
• Evaluate existing systems and recommend improvements, upgrades, and replacements.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex technology issues.
• Maintain established IT standards, policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and oversight for IT support staff and contractors.
• Own technology projects from initial concept through implementation, adoption, training, and ongoing support.
• Develop project plans, timelines, budgets, communication plans, and risk assessments.
• Lead infrastructure upgrades, software implementations, system migrations, cybersecurity initiatives, and operational technology projects.
• Coordinate stakeholders, vendors, consultants, and service providers throughout project lifecycles.
• Track project milestones, budgets, deliverables, and resource allocation.
• Present project updates, recommendations, and technology initiatives to school leadership.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with organizational objectives.
• Actively participate in the day-to-day running of our systems
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all technology vendors, consultants, managed service providers, and software partners.
• Lead the School's cybersecurity program and risk reduction initiatives.
• Manage endpoint protection, vulnerability management, monitoring tools, security awareness efforts, incident response procedures, and remediation activities.
• Coordinate with managed service providers, security vendors, and consultants to maintain a strong security posture.
• Develop and maintain disaster recovery, business continuity, and incident response plans.
• Conduct security assessments and ensure compliance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect organizational data, systems, and technology assets.
• Manage vendor performance, contracts, service-level agreements, renewals, and procurement activities.
• Lead vendor evaluations, product reviews, and technology selection processes.
• Coordinate vendor troubleshooting, installations, maintenance activities, and project work.
• Monitor technology expenditures and identify opportunities for operational efficiencies and cost savings.
• Ensure technology investments deliver measurable value to the organization.
• Oversee daily IT operations across both campuses.
• Manage and maintain network infrastructure, wireless systems, internet connectivity, servers, cloud services, and endpoint devices.
• Ensure reliability and performance of core technology systems.
• Oversee Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, learning management systems, device management platforms, and security tools.
• Manage inventory, lifecycle planning, procurement, and deployment of all technology assets.
• Ensure technology documentation is complete, accurate, and regularly updated.
• Oversee technology systems supporting physical security, including: Camera systems, Access control systems, Visitor management systems, ID card systems, Emergency notification systems, PA speaker systems, Panic button systems.
• Coordinate vendor support and future enhancements for physical security technologies.
• Lead technology training initiatives for faculty and staff.
• Develop user guides, knowledge resources, and internal documentation.
• Create and distribute organization-wide technology communications.
• Present technology updates, initiatives, training sessions, and cybersecurity awareness programs.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends.
• Research and pilot technologies that may improve educational outcomes, operational efficiency, and organizational effectiveness.
• Build business cases and recommendations for leadership review.
• Collaborate with staff who manage our Student Information System (Veracross)
• Research potential products, services, and solutions to improve operations and educational outcomes.
• Pilot and assess new technologies before organization-wide deployment.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Student Loan repayment
• Retirement Plan contribution
• Group Life Plan
• Disability Insurance
• Generous Parental Leave
• Vacation and sick time
• Approximately 21 scheduled school closure days throughout the calendar year
• Full week off during the first week of the December break
• Supervision each week to support professional growth
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Pre-tax transit
• Dependent care (DC FSA) accounts
• 401K match
• Student loan repayment contributions (after one year of employment)
• Range of professional development opportunities
• First Year Support Program for all new faculty and staff
• Leadership Development Institute for those interested in gaining supervisory experience
• Administrative Retreat held at the start of each school year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director