Sr. Executive, Information Technology

ROLE SUMMARY

Little League International is currently seeking a Sr. Executive, Information Technology to be located in the Williamsport, PA area and reporting to the Chief Operating Officer. The Sr. Executive will be a trusted member of the senior leadership team on all matters relating to the technology strategy, infrastructure, and operations of the organization. This position will provide strategic leadership and vision across the technical spectrum to bring innovative solutions and enable growth strategies. The role will lead the technology department, ensuring that the organization’s infrastructure, applications, and security are aligned with the business strategy, drives innovation to solve complex business challenges, and meets the expectations of internal stakeholders, partners, and constituents.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The successful candidate will establish credibility with both internal and external stakeholders and instill a culture of technical excellence, strong customer service, continuous improvement, a prowess for internal and contracted technology solutions, and a focus on data and cyber security.

The Sr. Executive role will demonstrate a strong leadership presence balanced with a flexible approach, a bias for both precision and action, a record of accomplishment in excellent judgment and decision-making skills, and a style that is approachable embodying a culture of genuine connection and ability to positively influence and interact with all levels of employees and stakeholders. The ideal candidate will bring in depth knowledge and experience in leading an agile development organization and solid working knowledge of current security protocols and threats to design and manage an effective IT governance framework.

The Sr. Executive will hold a strong commitment to Little League's mission and have the ability to think critically and make decisions while balancing alignment with the purpose, vision, mission, values, and goals of the organization.

ROLE EXPECTATIONS

• Work closely with fellow members of the senior leadership team as a trusted advisor to define and implement technology strategies that focus on forward-looking, problem solving, and innovation aligned with the organization’s operational, strategic, and financial objectives.
• Oversee the strategic planning, programming, development, and execution of systems, process, and team leadership managing all aspects of the IT function (e.g., development, security, data governance, infrastructure, etc.) including the use of outside partners and vendors.
• Collaborate and work with diverse, cross-functional stakeholders to proactively identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, innovation, and digitization enhancements.
• Partner with the Marketing and Communications teams to develop and deliver integrated technology solution partnerships including those that benefit local leagues, volunteers, and families.
• Assess current platforms, the evolving needs of the business, and the competitive landscape to craft and execute a technology roadmap that meets the long-term needs of the organization and creates new opportunities.
• Partner with the Security team to manage and oversee the technological security software and hardware utilized year-round and the Security Operations Center during the LLBWS.
• Actively survey internal and external stakeholders to identify technology solutions and ideas to improve business efficiency and productivity. Partner with other leaders within the organization to understand technology needs, translate requirements into IT solutions, and ensure seamless delivery and adoption of new systems, tools, and processes and provide training to staff, as needed.
• Develop and maintain a data governance framework to ensure data integrity, accessibility, and security, while enabling advance analytics and data-driven decision-making across the organization.
• Oversee the logical and physical safety of systems, networks, and data to ensure the accuracy of data, availability of systems, and thwart the risk of external threats.
• Identify and operationalize emerging trends in digital technologies to improve operational efficiency and create a competitive advantage for the organization.
• Ensure, on an ongoing basis, that current and planned technical architecture, investments, and solutions are aligned with organization business objectives.
• Plan technology projects with a long-term project scope and budget needs.
• Help determine capital investment parameters, priorities, and risks for organization-wide IT initiatives to maximize the return on investment and provide innovative solutions.
• Implement the most appropriate and effective IT organizational design to support and engage with other organizational leaders. Evaluate external support and resources during peak time periods.
• Develop and execute an analytics structure and process that drives data and insights usage, providing tools, training, and dashboards to empower leadership to make data-driven decisions.
• Responsible for technology infrastructure and applications (including but not limited to point-of-sale and e-commerce solutions) for retail operations; additional support during regional tournaments, world series events; support the on-going operation of the World of Little League® Museum including POS technology and security systems.
• Prepare and monitor IT operational budgets while balancing business objectives including a timeline of financial objectives to bring the best business outcomes in a cost-effective way.
• Develop a high performing collaborative team which is trusted and respected throughout the organization by communicating expectations to the team and providing constructive feedback in a timely manner.
• Responsible for the strategic guidance, professional development, and performance management of direct reports, aligned with the goals of the organization and the department.
• Foster a culture that is solutions based, innovative, collaborative, transparent, and accountable in the IT organization. And promote a mission-driven mentality at all levels of the technology function while simultaneously providing excellent customer service.
• Develop and maintain a plan that provides for succession and continuity in the most critical IT management positions.
• Lead the organization’s cyber security efforts to safeguard assets and interests and oversee the integrity and security of systems and data in accordance with Data Privacy Laws e.g., COPPA, GDPR, CCPA, etc.
• Develop and implement protocols to minimize disruption to the organization’s operations in the event of disasters or data loss, and facilitate IT security audits, training, and investigations.
• Establish and enforce IT policies, processes, portfolio management, development standards and methodologies, including but not limited to DevOps, Agile, or waterfall/traditional System Development LifeCycle (SDLC).
• Monitor the industry for developments in IT operations; evaluate and implement relevant new tools and service management frameworks through the engagement with external partners, vendors, etc.
• Create a nimble, efficient, and effective operational model that leverages the best available internal and external resources.
• Partner with the Philanthropy & Social Impact team to support unique CRM technology, API interfaces, and confidential databases.
• Ensure IT team provides the necessary support in all facilities and in events held at these facilities.
• Maintain a high degree of confidentiality with regards to any and all information as a direct or indirect result of job responsibilities/job functions.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or related field.
• An advanced degree in a related field, such as computer science, engineering and/or business (MBA) is preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in the technology field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in an IT leadership or management role providing IT solutions to a business.
• Experience in non-profit or youth sports related industry is preferred.
• Familiarity with Data Privacy Laws.
• Advanced proficiency in IT methodologies and user acceptance best practice.
• Demonstrated experience with as-a-service, cloud-based, and outsourced solutions through third party vendors.
• Must have working knowledge of local and wide area communication networks.
• Must have a solid knowledge of PC hardware and software.