Director of Technology

At Academic Impressions, we are driven to make an impact in higher education through professional and leadership development for faculty, staff, and administrators across the country. We are a small company exclusively serving the higher education sector for over 20 years. Each year we conduct thousands of hours of research and network with hundreds of experts to uncover the most innovative and impactful practices in areas like leadership, strategy, faculty support and engagement, institutional advancement, and increasing organizational productivity and engagement. Our highly focused and practical training partnerships prepare and empower higher education administrators and faculty to effect meaningful change at their institutions. www.academicimpressions.com 

Position Overview:

As the Director of Technology, you'll have the opportunity to apply your technological vision and innovative spirit to our mission of enhancing higher education. Your role encompasses crafting a strategic technology roadmap, driving advancements in our online membership platform, and ensuring our internal systems support seamless operations. You'll mentor a dynamic development team, foster cross-functional collaboration, oversee day-to-day IT efforts, and guide technology initiatives that amplify our impact on academic leaders and institutions. This position offers the unique opportunity to blend visionary leadership with practical oversight, making a meaningful difference at the company as well as the higher education landscape.

• Lead the development team in defining and executing the strategy for launching new features and enhancing the online user experience for our membership platform and e-commerce functionality.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product management, design, and marketing, to prioritize features and deliverables.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to the development team, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Drive the adoption of best practices in software development, ensuring code quality, scalability, and security.
• Stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies to inform strategic decisions and maintain our competitive edge.
• Serve on the company leadership team to drive and support this business area.
• Provide oversight and leadership for internal technology support, including troubleshooting and resolution of technical issues.
• Oversee strategy and staff for desktop support services, ensuring efficient and timely assistance for all staff members.
• Ensure accessibility standards are met across all internal systems and services.
• Oversee HECVAT/contracting processes to ensure compliance and security.
• Coordinate upgrades, integrations, and maintenance activities to enhance internal systems' performance.
• Manage the integration of internal data systems.

Qualifications

• Strong technical background with expertise in software development methodologies, web technologies, and system integration.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, administrators, and IT professionals.
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills, with a strategic mindset and a passion for driving innovation.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a track record of fostering an inclusive work culture and promoting diversity in hiring and decision-making processes.
• Familiarity with academic technology trends, learning management systems, and data privacy regulations in educational settings is highly desirable.

Specific Technologies

• Proficient in a range of programming languages and frameworks (e.g., PHP, SQL, JavaScript, Python, React, Node.js) relevant to web development and software engineering.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) for hosting, scalability, and security solutions.
• Familiarity with Git, Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines and automation tools (e.g., Jenkins, CircleCI).
• Knowledge of database management systems (e.g., MySQL, MongoDB) and best practices for data integrity, backup, and recovery.
• Knowledge of customer relationship management systems (e.g. Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms (e.g. Marketo Engage, Pardot).
• Understanding of Single Sign-On (SSO) technologies and identity management solutions (e.g., SAML, OAuth, OpenID Connect).
• Proficient managing IT support tools and platforms for internal technology needs, including helpdesk software and hardware provisioning.
• Experience with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and implementing accessible design principles in digital products.
• Prefer experience in navigating Higher Education Community Vendor Assessment Toolkit (HECVAT) processes and contracting, ensuring compliance and security in technology partnerships.
• Experience in navigating federal and state data protection laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), and cybersecurity standards (e.g., NIST, PCI-DSS).
• Applicable knowledge of data security best practices (e.g., Cloudflare, firewalls).
• Experience with user management technologies (e.g., Azure AD).

Experience

• Proven track record of 10 years in a senior leadership role within the technology field, with demonstrated success in strategic planning, team management, and driving technology initiatives at a senior level
• Extensive experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including product management, design, marketing, and other departments, to deliver innovative technology solutions that align with organizational goals and enhance the user experience.
• In-depth understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the education or academic sector or previous experience working in a similar environment. 
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (Master's degree preferred).

Studies have shown that women and people of color may be less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We would encourage you to apply for a job at Academic Impressions even if you don’t meet every one of our qualifications listed.

Location: Denver-metro area based candidates strongly preferred; open to candidates working remotely in the U.S. 

Note: All employees of Academic Impressions are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19 as a condition of employment, regardless of location (remote or in-office) unless a documented medical or religious exemption is approved.

Salary & Benefits

Salary starting at $150k, subject to qualifications and experience.

Consistent with our belief that our employees are our most valuable resource, Academic Impressions offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• 100% Paid Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee coverage plus 50% coverage for child dependents
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Fully paid LTD, STD, FSA, and life insurance
• 15 days paid time off per year
• 18 additional paid company-wide holidays (most U.S. holidays; 4 company-wide mental health days; winter break between December 25-31 + your birthday!)
• Dynamic growth and professional development opportunities