Director of Technology

Petersen Automotive Museum•Los Angeles, CA

3h•$150,000 - $175,000

About The Position

The Director of Information Technology is responsible for the strategic leadership, security, operation, and continuous improvement of all technology systems supporting the museum’s public experiences and business operations. This position oversees the museum’s exhibition technology infrastructure, enterprise systems, internal networks, cybersecurity, office technology, and digital platforms while ensuring reliable technology experiences for guests, staff, donors, members, and partners. The Director serves as both a strategic technology leader and hands-on operational manager, ensuring that all museum technology — from immersive exhibition hardware to financial systems — operates reliably, securely, and efficiently. The position will report directly to the COO as a key member of the museum’s senior leadership team.

Requirements

8+ years of progressive experience in technology leadership.
Senior leadership of a technology function and team.
Well versed across a wide range of domains — infrastructure, networks, cloud, large-format displays and AV, security, and emerging tech.
Fluent in the latest in both software and hardware.
Deep, current knowledge of artificial intelligence, with a proven track record of evaluating and deploying AI.
Creative technological visionary.
Proven people leader who develops talent, builds team culture, and earns trust.
Clear, confident communicator.
Security-minded with deep knowledge of modern organizational vulnerabilities.
Resourceful and entrepreneurial.
Deep experience in Technology, Information Systems, or a related field.
Collaborative leader who works with the entire museum’s management team.
Familiarity with PCI compliance.

Nice To Haves

Experience deploying AI in ways that create real organizational value without overemphasizing AI in a people-centered organization.
Not a status-quo operator — someone who sees where the field is headed and isn’t stuck in old ways of doing things.
Knows how to create disproportionate impact and doesn’t need an unlimited budget.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning, implementation, maintenance, and lifecycle management of all exhibition technology including interactive kiosks, touchscreens, LED walls, video playback systems, digital signage, audio systems, control systems, RFID/NFC experiences, sensor-based interactives, projection mapping, AV-over-IP infrastructure, show control hardware, and future immersive technologies (AR/VR/MR).
Develop preventative maintenance schedules for exhibition technology.
Manage exhibit technology refresh cycles.
Coordinate with Exhibit Design and Facilities during installations.
Maintain spare equipment inventory.
Ensure maximum exhibition uptime.
Troubleshoot failures during museum operating hours.
Own the technology roadmap for all museum software platforms including CRM, Ticketing, Point of Sale (POS), Membership Management, Finance/ERP, Human Resources systems, Collections Management System (IMS), Volunteer Management, Event Management, Digital Asset Management, Marketing Automation, Email systems, and Cloud collaboration platforms.
Manage vendors for software platforms.
Oversee software implementation.
Manage software licensing.
Ensure system integrations.
Maintain data integrity.
Manage user permissions.
Manage APIs.
Implement business process improvements.
Oversee all museum infrastructure including LAN/WAN, Wi-Fi, Firewalls, VPN, Switching, Fiber infrastructure, Server hardware, Virtual servers, Cloud infrastructure, Storage, Backup systems, Telecommunications, Internet services, and Building connectivity.
Ensure high availability, redundancy, and disaster recovery for infrastructure.
Perform performance monitoring and capacity planning for infrastructure.
Ensure business continuity for infrastructure.
Develop and maintain museum cybersecurity practices including endpoint protection, identity management, multi-factor authentication (MFA), network monitoring, vulnerability assessments, security awareness training, backup validation, incident response planning, compliance with PCI, privacy regulations, and donor data protection standards, and third-party security reviews.
Manage all employee technology including desktop and laptop deployments, mobile device management, printers, conference room technology, video conferencing, staff software support, Help Desk operations, technology onboarding and offboarding, asset tracking, and lifecycle replacement planning.
Develop and execute the museum’s long-term technology strategy.
Create a five-year technology roadmap.
Manage annual capital planning.
Oversee technology budgeting.
Lead vendor negotiations.
Develop IT policies.
Establish technology governance.
Drive digital transformation initiatives.
Evaluate and implement AI.
Facilitate cross-department technology planning.
Serve as the museum’s primary technology advisor to executive leadership.