(Interim) IT Director

· Technology Strategy & Organizational Leadership, setting the multiyear roadmap, advising the COO/leadership

· Team Leadership and Development, managing/coaching IT staff

· Responsible AI and Emerging Technology, AI governance

· Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Risk Management

· Enterprise Systems and Digital Operations, owning finance/HR/CRM/knowledge-management platforms, systems architecture

· Infrastructure and Technology Operations

· Service Delivery and Employee Experience, how well IT support works for staff

Typical Day-to-Day:

· Advise the COO and leadership on tech strategy, risks, and investments, translating technical stuff into plain business terms

· Manage the IT team, coaching, setting priorities, and keeping the team culture healthy

· Oversee cybersecurity, access controls, monitoring for threats, handling incidents, and running security training

· Set guardrails for AI use, deciding what tools are safe, vetting vendors, and helping staff use AI responsibly

· Manage the tech budget and vendors, negotiating contracts, cutting waste, and keeping spending accountable

Years' Experience/Degree Requirements/Certification:

· Bachelor's degree in information technology, Computer Science, a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience

· An advanced degree is a plus, but not required

· 10+ years of progressive experience in IT

· At least 6 of those years in a managerial role

QUALIFICATION/EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Required Qualifications or Equivalent Experience

Client recognizes that candidates may gain relevant skills through professional, educational, volunteer, community, military, entrepreneurial, or other lived and practical experiences. Candidates do not need to meet every qualification in the same way to be considered.

10+ years of progressive experience in IT, with at least 6 years in a managerial role.

Significant progressive experience leading information technology in a complex organization.

Experience overseeing several of the following areas: technology strategy, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, infrastructure, service delivery, budgets, projects, employees, consultants, or vendors.

Demonstrated ability to translate organizational goals and employee needs into a clear and achievable technology strategy.

Experience leading complex initiatives through planning, implementation, testing, communication, adoption, and continuous improvement.

Working knowledge of modern cloud and software-as-a-service environments.

Knowledge of identity and access management, endpoint management, networking, system integrations, data protection, backup, recovery, and cybersecurity operations.

Experience developing or implementing governance related to AI, automation, data, privacy, cybersecurity, or another emerging technology, or demonstrated ability to build and apply that expertise.

Experience evaluating, selecting, implementing, or optimizing enterprise platforms such as ERP, HRIS, CRM, finance, collaboration, document-management, or knowledge-management systems.

Demonstrated people leadership, project leadership, vendor management, budget management, negotiation, communication, and change-management skills.

Ability to explain technical concepts, risks, options, and tradeoffs clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences.

Demonstrated commitment to inclusive, accessible, and user-centered technology practices.

Ability to build trust and collaborate effectively across different roles, identities, backgrounds, work styles, and levels of technical knowledge.

Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and calm leadership when handling sensitive information, competing priorities, cybersecurity incidents, and organizational change.

Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to service, communication, documentation, and follow-through.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in a nonprofit, public policy, research, media, academic, advocacy, philanthropic, or similarly mission-driven environment.

Experience supporting a hybrid or geographically distributed workforce.

Experience supporting a portfolio of programs, projects, or business units with different technology and operational needs.

Experience working with formal cybersecurity, risk-management, or service-management frameworks, such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, CIS Controls, ISO 27001, ITIL, or comparable practices.

Experience with responsible AI, AI governance, data governance, digital accessibility, privacy, or public-interest technology.

Experience leading organizational change associated with the implementation of new enterprise systems or technology policies.

Equivalent practical experience will be fully considered and valued.

Leadership Approach and Core Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Mission alignment and a public-interest mindset

Strategic thinking combined with practical execution

Inclusive and collaborative leadership

Sound cybersecurity and risk-based decision-making

Responsible innovation and learning agility

Strong customer service and employee empathy

Clear and transparent communication

Organizational influence and relationship building

Financial stewardship and operational discipline

Effective change management

Sound judgment and discretion