Director of Information Technology & Enterprise Systems

Job Description

Job Description

Employer: American Jewish University 
Job Title: Director of Information Technology & Enterprise Systems
Report To: Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer
Location: 4 days/week in person, Friday remote  
Status: Exempt 
Hours: 35 hours/week

About American Jewish University 

American Jewish University (AJU)’s mission is singularly focused on the future of Jewish life by training and educating the next generation of rabbis, educators, professionals, and lay leaders, and creating innovative, dynamic pathways for Jewish learning and living. With campuses in Sherman Oaks, Beverly Hills, and Simi Valley, CA, along with distance education programs that reach learners across the nation and around the world, AJU is a private, nonprofit institution of higher education offering degree-granting and for-credit academic programs, as well as community-based (non-formal academic) learning opportunities. 

Department Overview

The Information Technology department provides strategic leadership and oversight for technology across American Jewish University. Through strong partnerships with internal stakeholders and external technology providers, the department ensures that technology is secure, reliable, integrated, and aligned with the University's mission and strategic priorities.

AJU utilizes a Managed Service Provider (MSP) for day-to-day infrastructure and technical support. The Director of Information Technology & Enterprise Systems provides leadership, governance, and accountability for these outsourced services while driving technology strategy, enterprise systems, cybersecurity, business process improvement, and digital transformation across the institution.

Position Overview

The Director of Information Technology & Enterprise Systems is responsible for the strategic leadership, planning, and oversight of the University's technology and systems environment. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer, this position partners with executive leadership and departments across the Institution to ensure technology investments support operational excellence, institutional growth, and an exceptional user experience.

This position is not responsible for providing day-to-day desktop support or infrastructure administration. Instead, the Director oversees the Institution’s Managed Service Provider, cybersecurity partner(s), enterprise applications, and technology vendors while leading strategic initiatives that improve business processes, system integrations, reporting, automation, and institutional effectiveness.

The Director serves as the Institution’s technology advisor, ensuring technology decisions align with organizational priorities and deliver measurable value.

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Technology Leadership

• Develop and maintain the University's multi-year technology roadmap. 
• Align technology initiatives with institutional priorities and operational needs. 
• Advise executive leadership on technology trends, opportunities, risks, and investments. 
• Develop IT governance practices, standards, and policies. 
• Assist in developing and managing the annual IT operating and capital budgets. 
• Promote innovation through the thoughtful adoption of technology and AI-enabled solutions. 

Managed Service Provider Oversight

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for the University's Managed Service Provider. 
• Monitor service delivery, responsiveness, and overall performance. 
• Establish service expectations, performance metrics, and accountability measures. 
• Coordinate infrastructure projects, upgrades, cloud initiatives, and technology implementations. 
• Ensure technology services meet the needs of faculty, staff, and students.

Cybersecurity Leadership

• Oversee the University's cybersecurity strategy in partnership with an external cybersecurity provider. 
• Coordinate vulnerability assessments, remediation efforts, security monitoring, and incident response. 
• Develop and maintain cybersecurity policies and best practices. 
• Lead security awareness and training initiatives. 
• Participate in disaster recovery and business continuity planning. 
• Ensure compliance with applicable security, privacy, and regulatory requirements.

Enterprise Systems & Applications

Provide strategic oversight for the University's enterprise technology ecosystem, including but not limited to:

• HubSpot CRM 
• Financial Systems 
• Human Resources systems 
• Learning Management Systems 
• Event Management platforms 
• Identity management solutions 
• Project management system(s)
• AI tools
• Marketing and Communications management system(s)
• Other enterprise applications 

Responsibilities include:

• Evaluating business needs and technology capabilities. 
• Improving system utilization and user adoption. 
• Identifying opportunities for automation. 
• Evaluating system integrations. 
• Recommending technology improvements. 
• Support in onboarding and offboarding access management.
• Managing vendor relationships and software licensing.

HubSpot & CRM Leadership

Working closely with the Institution's HubSpot Administrator, this position will:

• Partner with departments to gather business requirements.
• Prioritize technology requests and enhancements. 
• Ensure projects remain on schedule and aligned with business needs.
• Hold implementation teams and vendors accountable for deliverables. 
• Identify opportunities for workflow automation. 
• Improve reporting and dashboard capabilities. 
• Evaluate integrations between HubSpot and other institutional systems. 
• Promote adoption and continuous improvement across departments.

Technology Project Management

Lead and coordinate institution-wide technology initiatives, including:

• Software implementations 
• Enterprise system upgrades 
• Cloud migrations 
• System integrations 
• Business process redesign 
• AI and workflow automation initiatives 
• Technology modernization projects

Vendor Management

• Manage relationships with technology vendors and consultants. 
• Lead technology evaluations and RFP processes as needed. 
• Negotiate technology agreements in partnership with Finance. 
• Monitor vendor performance and service delivery. 
• Recommend technology investments that improve institutional effectiveness.

Data & Business Process Improvement

• Partner with departments to understand operational challenges and recommend technology solutions. 
• Promote effective data governance and reporting. 
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through technology. 
• Support institutional reporting and decision-making through improved system utilization and data quality.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Build collaborative relationships across all University departments. 
• Translate business needs into practical technology solutions. 
• Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. 
• Provide regular updates to executive leadership on technology initiatives, risks, and priorities. 
• Foster a customer service-oriented approach to technology support and innovation.

Professional Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• Master's degree or relevant technical certifications are preferred.
• Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible experience in information technology, enterprise systems, or digital transformation. 
• Experience managing technology vendors or outsourced technology services. 
• Experience leading or participating in enterprise software implementations or technology transformation initiatives. 
• Experience managing complex technology projects.
• Experience working with cross-functional business teams. 
• Experience overseeing cybersecurity initiatives or working closely with cybersecurity partners. 
• Experience with CRM platforms such as HubSpot is preferred. 
• Experience in higher education or nonprofit organizations is preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent project management capabilities. 
• Strong vendor management and negotiation skills. 
• Ability to translate business needs into technology solutions. 
• Knowledge of enterprise applications and systems integration. 
• Understanding of cloud technologies and cybersecurity best practices.
• Experience improving business processes through technology. 
• Excellent communication and presentation skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. 
• Commitment to outstanding customer service.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• This position operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment (e.g., computer, phone, copier).
• The role requires the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time and to perform repetitive tasks such as typing and data entry.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in person, via video conferencing, and by phone.
• Maintain regular and predicable attendance.
• Must be able to lift, push, pull and carry objects (20 lbs.), such as office equipment, monitors, supplies and files.
• Occasional movement throughout campus and to off-site locations may be required.

Compensation

• This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $140,000 to $160,000 annually commensurate with experience, qualifications, and demonstrated track record.
• American Jewish University offers a comprehensive benefits package, which may include health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement plan participation; paid time off; and other employee benefits.
• Total compensation is designed to be competitive with peer institutions and reflective of the scope, complexity, and strategic impact of the role.

Please note that this job description is not meant to cover or include all the tasks, duties, and responsibilities the employee may be required to perform, and may be subject to change at the company’s discretion, with or without notice or contemporaneous update to this document. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to the extent required by and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law; contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodation.  Nothing in this job description modifies the at-will nature of employment. If you require accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact View email address on ziprecruiter.com. 

American Jewish University (AJU) is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all forms and areas of the university. Please visit our full diversity statement at -ix-diversity/