Associate Director of IT Operations and Schoolwide

SAS is dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Therefore, we commit to a journey of community growth that is grounded in best and sustainable practices rooted in our mission and core values. We seek individuals who are ready to contribute to such an environment. If you have the right disposition for this role, meet many of the requirements, and feel you would be a good match for SAS in this position, please do not hesitate to apply.

**Position Summary**

Reporting to the Head of IT Operations, this is a highly visible leadership position requiring strong organizational, operational and technology leadership including leading a culture in line with the values of the school.

The Technology department is responsible for supporting, maintaining a robust digital ecosystem that consists of over 5000 users, up to 7500 network connected devices, multiple platforms and systems, including a robust wireless network, Apple devices, Windows devices, and Google Workplace.

The Associate Director supports a safe, secure, well maintained, customer-focused digital environment for all students, faculty, staff, visitors, and vendors.

The Associate Director provides overall leadership on Data Safeguarding and Cybersecurity and serves as SAS’s Data Protection Officer.

**Responsibilities**:
**Vision and Strategy - Supporting Mission & Values of SAS, Planning and Goal Setting**
- Assists in establishing and leading strategic priorities for the department
- Under direction of the Head of IT Operations and partnership with the Director of Technology and Innovation, sets priorities for needs of the whole community within the framework of the School’s Strategic Plan
- Assists the Head of IT Operations to lead and execute the development of a long term digital strategy.
- Provides leadership through research, testing and development of new digital platforms and systems.
- Promotes the role that technology plays in learning through positive and active engagement with the school community.
- Stays abreast of new developments in technology by attending technology learning conferences, participating in online educational communities, reading current technology literature, and testing new hardware and software.
- Works closely with the Head of IT Operations, Director of Technology and Innovation and Technology and Innovation Coordinators (and teams) to purposefully integrate technology into the curriculum, assessment, and provide vertically aligned specialized courses/electives.
- Facilitates timely and strategically significant professional learning opportunities for faculty and staff on topics including but not limited to IT systems, platforms and overall Cybersecurity and Data Protection awareness.
- Plays an integral role in SAS’ strategic planning process related to the current campus upgrade.
- Actively promote and embody the organization's values, fostering a positive team culture. Influence and build the team's cohesion and collaborative spirit.

**Data Safeguarding and Cybersecurity**:

- Serves as Data Protection Officer with responsibility for developing and implementing data protection policies (including providing training and awareness programs for all staff), conducting privacy impact assessments, monitoring and auditing compliance with policies, training and serving as the primary point of contact for data protection queries.

**Managing and Implementing Change Management**
- Develops and implements effective change management strategies to minimize resistance and ensure smooth transitions during the introduction of new technologies or procedural changes.
- Collaborates with stakeholders to communicate the benefits of changes, address concerns, and provide training programs to facilitate user adoption.
- Fosters a culture of adaptability and continuous improvement within the IT department and among end-users.

**Network, Systems Infrastructure, Support and Asset Management**:

- Assists with the production of yearly IT technical operations plans, in collaboration with the IT Department members.
- Prepares reports, proof of concept models, and budget analysis as requested.
- Plans and implements technology projects, including delegation of tasks and organizing timelines for task completion.
- Keeps current with the latest technologies and determine what new technology solutions and implementations will meet organizational and system needs and requirements.
- Work closely with Technology Team’s Procurement Officer to
- negotiate and manage relationships, contracts and service level agreements with external vendors for IT hardware, software, infrastructure, and support;
- manage SAS IT assets and inventory, for all divisions and departments, and centrally maintain accurate accessible digital documentation;
- manage hardware warranties, service contracts and replacement cycles;
- maintain software licenses for SAS software and copies of current and past versions with software keys in centralized loc