Director, IT Operations

POSITION TITLE: Director, IT Operations

LOCATION: Remote/Oakland, CA

STATUS: Exempt

APPLY BY: Open Until Filled

Organization Overview

PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing racial and economic equity by Lifting Up What Works®. We are dedicated to improving the lives of the 100 million people in America who live in or near poverty, particularly those facing the barriers of structural racism. Please visit our website  www.policylink.org.

Position Summary

This position, available immediately, is an exciting opportunity to join the staff at PolicyLink. The Director of Information Technology (IT) Operations is vital to ensuring PolicyLink information technology is continuously available and secure. They work with executive management to determine the information technology goals/priorities and policies of the organization. The Director of IT Operations will lead, manage, and direct all aspects of PolicyLink information technology systems, infrastructure, and operations. They will provide strategic direction, plan and implement technology initiatives, and ensure data security and privacy.

The Director of IT Operations will implement security policies and will promote a culture of information security throughout the organization. They will plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities; oversee the financial aspects of IT such as budgeting and vendor management. They will also hold supervisory responsibilities, manage IT team members as well as independent contractors.

The Director of IT Operations will evaluate the use of current and potential new technologies in the organization to increase efficacy and support the organization’s goals. Additionally, The Director of IT Operations will be responsible for designing and recommending technology solutions in support of rganizational policies and directives. This position will collaborate extensively with other departmental leads to implement team-specific and organization-wide technology plans.

Core Responsibilities

• Strategic IT Planning:
  • Develop and execute plans to achieve PolicyLink IT strategy in alignment with the organization's growth objectives.
  • Continuously evaluate and recommend technology solutions that streamline operations, optimize strategic benefits, and fulfill business requirements.
• IT Operations and Security:
  • Manage the daily operations, maintenance, and security of IT systems, infrastructure, networks, public cloud, and SaaS providers.
  • Implement and oversee IT security measures, including system and information policies, training, gap identification, and access controls.
  • Facilitate IT security audits and investigations.
• Budget and Resource Management:
  • Oversee the IT budget, ensuring optimal allocation of hardware, software, and staffing resources.
  • Manage IT asset lifecycle from procurement to maintenance and security.
• Project Management:
  • Supervise the end-to-end implementation of IT projects, including planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and timely delivery.
• Inter-departmental Collaboration:
  • Collaborate with various departments to understand their technology needs and deliver solutions that bolster productivity and efficiency.
  • Develop and implement training modules for productivity tools, applications, and the IT service desk.
• Team Leadership and Development:
  • Lead, mentor, and manage the IT team including hiring, training, performance evaluation, and career growth.
• Vendor and Contract Management:
  • Cultivate and maintain relationships with external IT vendors and service providers.
  • Oversee negotiations and contracts with IT-related third parties.
• Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement:
  • Monitor IT performance metrics, identify areas of improvement, and initiate corrective measures.
  • Ensure protocols are in place for business continuity, to minimize disruptions during emergencies, and prevent data loss incidents.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience and Qualifications

• Eight or more years of successful leadership and ownership of position within an IT organization, including: experience defining IT practices, administering critical IT systems, leading teams, and supporting critical IT domains.
• Expert knowledge of Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and other cloud platforms. Familiarity with Salesforce.
• Expertise in security policies and controls that align with NIST frameworks.
• Extensive knowledge and demonstrable skills in latest technology for IT systems and management.
• Direct management experience with running an enterprise service desk that includes functions outside of IT.
• Strong understanding of cloud-based deployment and networking contexts.
• Deep passion for learning new technical skills and mastering new problem domains.
• Deep understanding of IT and practical applications to support the organization’s goals.
• Outstanding customer empathy and collaboration skills.
• Experience working in non-profit organizations.

Work Environment

This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer and works closely with staff at all levels of the organization who work from five time zones (Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern, and Hawaii).

This position is remote, with travel (10 percent to 25 percent) for periodic team gatherings, professional development, and organizational events.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $135,000 - $175,000, dependent upon experience.

Additionally, PolicyLink provides a generous and comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401k match, ancillary benefits, access to Flexible Spending Accounts, and generous leave benefits.

How To Apply**:**

We only accept online applications.

Please note_: No phone calls please. Only those selected to participate in our hiring process will be contacted._

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

PolicyLink strongly values equity and believes in a just and fair society where all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. We work towards a more inclusive world and as such we are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, skin color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood. PolicyLink is committed to maintaining a diverse and multicultural working environment.

“Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire.”

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