Information Technology Director

ABOUT THE KAUFFMAN SCHOOL

The Ewing Marion Kauffman School is a three-school campus (two middle schools and a high school) of mission-driven college preparatory schools in Kansas City, MO focused on student achievement and strong character. The school’s mission is summarized in three words: create college graduates.

The Kauffman School was named 2015 Missouri Charter School of the Year. The schools serve a student population of which 87% qualify for free and reduced lunch and 90% identify as person of color. Students are accepted by a lottery that prioritizes the six highest-need zip codes within the district. Students entering Kauffman in fifth grade typically scored in the bottom third of the state on their fourth grade exams. After four years at Kauffman, 8th grade classes score at the very top in state exams; in 2015-2016 Kauffman 8th graders ranked #1 in math, #3 in science, and #12 in ELA in the state of Missouri. Our founding freshman class was the #1 ranked district in Biology and the #2 ranked district in Algebra on Missouri’s end of course exams. Year after year, our students outperform their peers across the state at every single grade and subject level.

Our students’ results demonstrate their incredible brilliance, passion, creativity, and work ethic. Kauffman Students are empowered by their identities and place in the community and develop a critical consciousness of the world around them. Kauffman staff actively partner with families to be a school of the community, not just in the community.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Ewing Marion Kauffman School (Kauffman School) seeks a dedicated and inspirational Information Technology Director (“ITD”,) who will report to the Chief Executive Officer. The ITD is a committed, detail-oriented individual who shares the Kauffman School belief that all students can meet high academic expectations in the right school environment. The ITD brings innovative, effective and efficient technical capabilities to the School, leveraging best practices in understanding the Schools need and identifying, implementing and managing technologies that drive successful instruction and operations. The ITD is responsible for leading the Information Technology Team in providing IT help desk support and systems operations, ensuring a safe and secure computing environment, and ensuring technology supports the School’s strategic goals. This role is successful if students have no technical barriers to their educational achievement, teachers have the technical tools and capabilities needed to deliver outstanding educational experiences, if information used to make key organizational decisions is accurate and stored safely, and if the operations of the schools’ technology systems are effective, efficient, and secure.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technology Strategy

• Evaluate the effectiveness of current EMKS technology systems and their ability to meet student and staff needs and identify opportunities to implement new systems, particularly those used by high-performing charter networks, that will best support EMKS staff in its mission to create college graduates
• Identify team, vendor, and technology resources needed to meet strategic goals, and organize the execution of Technology’s responsibilities
• Collaborate with Director of Data to ensure technology integrates with and meets the needs of the EMKS assessment program (i.e. technology roadmap that works in conjunction with MAP, ANETs, NWEA, STEP, and ACT Aspire)
• Stay abreast of developments in the field by attending approved educational technology conferences, trainings and site visits

Management and Leadership

• Lead the development of the technology team to achieve high performance through goal setting and evaluation, while ensuring the team remains knowledgeable and current with industry trends and technologies
• Manage external vendors to meet the technology needs of the School, including timeline and budget objectives
• Embody a “hands-on” approach to information technology services, directly working with people and technology as when needed to ensure success of the School
• Maintain regular, effective communications through the organization to ensure that people are aware of and able to effectively utilize technology in their roles
• Ensure technology initiatives and projects have appropriate project management structure, development methods, and lifecycle management processes. Ensure work is completed within expected time, budget, and success requirements.
• Embody and advocate the mission, vision, and strategic direction of the Kauffman School
• Adhere to the policies, standards, and school-wide responsibilities described in the school “Personnel Policies Handbook”
• Model the school’s PREP (Perseverance, Results, Empathy, Passion) values and set the standard for professional behavior

Information Security

• Develop and implement information security program that appropriately protect information, systems, staff, teachers, students, and the organization as a whole
• Ensure entire computing environment, including school owned as well as cloud and vendor-supplied solutions, have effective and appropriate controls that provide awareness of and protect against information security threats
• Ensure teachers and staff are aware of their shared responsibilities in protecting information and empowered to take an active role in information security through effective training and other resources
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements including FERPA
• Own technology’s role in Business Continuity, Disaster Recover and Security Incident Response, ensuring risks are effectively mitigated and incidents can be quickly and effectively addressed

IT Operations

• Manage help desk services to provide responsive and effective support to teachers, staff and students ensuring their technology devices and applications operate correctly
• Manage Technology systems including email, identity directory, shared file services, printing, and other essential tools
• Define, implement and enforce appropriate Service Level Agreements for IT support and services
• Ensure all school-owned devices, cloud computing services, vendor contracts and other assets are appropriately procured, maintained, and managed throughout their lifecycle
• Ensure the computer network, wifi, firewalls and other technology infrastructure are operational and performant as needed to meet the requirements of the School
• Ensure appropriate backups of critical information are performed and effective in protecting against data loss

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• BA/BS degree required (mathematics, engineering, education, computer science or related field)
• Experience designing and implementing technology systems to support academic achievement
• Experience with managing 3rd-party vendors, and collaborating with multiple vendors to achieve a shared goal
• Experience managing Helpdesk and device support in a moderate-to-large environment, particularly a school
• Experience with administering Office 365, Google Classroom, Active Directory / Azure AD, computer networking, information security, as well as education-specific technology including SIS
• Understanding of data warehousing / data lakes, reporting infrastructure, and operationalizing business intelligence systems
• Excellent proficiency and technical problem solving
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including listening
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with others on team projects
• Ability to establish timelines and consistently meet deadlines
• Ability to think creatively about complex problems
• Ability to think of both the big picture and operational details simultaneously
• Ability to multitask with ease, prioritizing appropriately
• Proven track record of delivering accurate, comprehensive results within tight deadlines
• Excellent problem-solving and superior interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Able and willing to work extended school day hours
• A minimum of 5+ years of relevant operational and management experience is required
• High comfort level with children and youth is required
• Results-driven with experience driving operational excellence
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Commitment to and complete belief in the Kauffman School’s mission to create college graduates as well as in the School’s organizational success
• Desire for daily feedback on projects and willingness to immediately implement
• Entrepreneurial energy, hands-on approach, and ambition necessary for a start-up school
• Personality should project enthusiasm, professionalism, and growth mindset
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor in the face of competing demands and external pressures
• Should be highly adaptable and flexible, with the ability to thrive in an ambiguous environment
• Ambition and desire to work both autonomously and collaboratively
• Commitment to getting the job done right and willingness to do whatever it takes to create and maintain an orderly, effective school organization
• Acute attention to detail coupled with the ability to think and act strategically
• Strong time management skills; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines
• Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills with students, parents, colleagues and community members
• Must have a strong personal value system that encompasses high integrity, honesty, a solid work ethic, high professional standards, and strong moral character

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The Kauffman School offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with anticipated duties and experience. This position is eligible to participate in the school’s benefits program.