Director of Information Technology

Job description

Organization Overview Excel Academy is a network of 5 schools in Massachusetts and Rhode Island that prepares students in grades 5-12 to succeed in high school and college and engage productively in their communities. The majority of our 1,700 students identify as Latinx or Hispanic and will be the first in their families to graduate from college. Families choose Excel because our students consistently outperform their peers in growth and achievement and are 5x more likely to graduate from college. At Excel, we believe that every student—regardless of race, zip code, or economic status - deserves access to a free, high quality holistic education. During their middle school journey with us, students grow at a pace faster than most peers in their state. This is possible through a combination of high expectations, rigorous instruction, and individualized support. At our nationally ranked high school, students achieve at the highest level and are poised for success in their chosen college or career path. About our Team Everyday, our team members choose to be positive, drive their own growth, uplift one another, and hold the highest possible beliefs for what students can achieve. About the Role 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. The Director of IT manages the State Reporting & Data Systems Specialist and is responsible for building sustainable systems and workflows that appropriately delegate operational and compliance-related execution work while maintaining clear strategic ownership and accountability. 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. Your Impact 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 teams, school teams, vendors, and internal support staff and drive consistent execution across schools. Lead change management for major technology initiatives, ensuring strong adoption and staff readiness Serve as the strategic owner of the student information system ecosystem, including governance, prioritization, configuration standards, integrations, and long-term system design. Delegate and oversee operational execution tasks related to student information systems, reporting processes, user management, and cyclical systems maintenance while ensuring quality control and alignment to organizational standards 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 Own prioritization and decision-making related to PowerSchool configuration, integrations, workflows, permissions structures, and connected applications 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, governance, and performance across core systems, including PowerSchool, Google Workspace, assessment platforms, identity systems, and connected operational applications Oversee state and federal reporting systems and processes to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely submission of required district data across Massachusetts and Rhode Island Build sustainable processes for data validation, reporting workflows, and cross-functional coordination that reduce compliance risk and reliance on institutional knowledge 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 Qualifications 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; Mission Alignment 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; and You are open to change, are willing to problem-solve, and seek feedback for your own professional growth and improvement. 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.