Director of IT (Information Technology)

Milken Community School - Los Angeles, California - Full time Our Mission Our School, founded on Jewish values, is about who our children can become and how they can help others become who they might be. Because the world our children will create tomorrow is born in the School we build today, our mission is to educate our children so they can surpass us. Position Overview The Director of IT works closely with faculty, staff, and leadership to ensure Milken’s technology environment supports both operational efficiency and educational innovation. This position focuses on both the behind-the-scenes management of infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data systems, as well as forward-looking innovation through collaboration with Educational Technology faculty to integrate emerging tools, including AI, into teaching and learning. The Director of IT manages a team of five and will have the opportunity to assess, develop, and redesign the team structure as the school’s needs evolve. We are seeking a strategic, proactive leader, a go-getter, who identifies opportunities, takes initiative, and continuously strengthens both the IT department and the broader school through thoughtful planning, strong partnerships, and effective execution. Responsibilities Lead IT Operations & Infrastructure Oversee the school’s infrastructure and systems (server environment, Active Directory, databases, networks/Wi‑Fi, device management, and classroom hardware). Manage cloud platforms and storage (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, AWS), including access controls and lifecycle policies. Ensure effective patching, software deployment, and reliable support across end‑user devices. Maintain technology inventory, lifecycle planning, and vendor relationships/contracts aligned to SLAs, security requirements, and insurance standards. Lead disaster recovery and business continuity planning, including on‑prem and cloud backup strategies and readiness testing. Cybersecurity, Privacy & Compliance Lead the development and ongoing implementation of security policies and operational practices across the school. Oversee key security functions (firewall operations, monitoring/alerts, incident response and escalation, digital certificates, MFA) in coordination with the IT team. Investigate and respond to cybersecurity incidents, determine root cause, and mitigate risk. Conduct regular cybersecurity testing and incident response simulations to strengthen readiness and support insurance/compliance requirements. Ensure strong student and staff data protections aligned with FERPA, COPPA, and other applicable standards. Partnership with Educational Technology & Responsible AI Collaborate closely with Educational Technology colleagues and academic leaders to support instructional technology goals and a consistent classroom experience. Contribute to school‑wide AI governance, security, and policy development—supporting safe, ethical, and effective use. Help evaluate, pilot, and scale new tools and platforms with clear attention to instructional value, usability, privacy, and security. Provide input on selecting and implementing third‑party educational software and instructional technologies. Campus Safety & Emergency Systems The Director of IT will oversee and understand these systems and how they operate, while much of the day‑to‑day management occurs in partnership with Operations and IT team leads: Safety and emergency communications systems (e.g., Verkada, Informacast, speakers/displays, phone routing for accurate emergency location). SIS integrations supporting safety workflows (e.g., Magnus Health). Continuity solutions such as the school’s private cellular network for emergencies and outages. Coordinate routine testing, documentation, and readiness drills with Operations/Security partners. SIS Support & Secure Reporting Support secure, accurate use of the Student Information System (SIS), including role/permission practices, reporting workflows, and cross‑department coordination. Ensure strong data practices and timely support for major school events requiring scheduling and reporting. People Leadership, Service Delivery & Team Development Lead, coach, and develop a team of five IT professionals, supporting growth, accountability, and strong customer service. Evaluate team structure, roles, and workflows—and redevelop the team to best meet school needs. Maintain clear documentation, procedures, and knowledge resources for the community. Partner with HR on onboarding/offboarding (accounts, access, devices, trainings, documentation, and security processes). Partner with Operations on IT support for events and campus initiatives. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (Master’s preferred). 7–10 years of progressive IT experience, including at least 3–5 years in a leadership role in schools. Strong experience in infrastructure/networking, cloud services, identity/access management, endpoint/device management, and systems reliability. Demonstrated cybersecurity leadership, including policy development, monitoring/response, and incident management. Experience with disaster recovery planning, backups, and operational continuity. Experience overseeing core school systems and data/SIS reporting workflows in partnership with key stakeholders. Proven vendor management, budgeting, and contract/renewal oversight. Strong project/change management skills and the ability to lead cross‑functional initiatives. Collaborative leadership style; excellent communication skills; high customer‑service orientation in a dynamic environment. Familiarity with instructional technology in K–12 settings and comfort partnering on responsible AI evaluation and governance (privacy, security, usability, instructional value). Experience developing teams through hiring, coaching, and performance management; ability to assess and evolve team structure as needed. Standard On‑Campus HoursStart: M - F by 8 AMEnd: M -Th 4 PM, F 3:00 PM2-4 nights/weekends per month*All schedules are subject to change. Salary Range: $165,000 - $175,000 For a complete overview of our benefits, please visit the Employment page on our website.Milken strives to be a nurturing, diverse and inclusive community. It is a vibrant academic home, drawing faculty and staff from the spectrum of faith, social and cultural backgrounds. At Milken Community School, we think education is more than what you know. Our School, founded on Jewish values, is about who our children can become and how they can help others become who they might be. Our mission is to educate our children so they can surpass us. #J-18808-Ljbffr