Chief Technology Officer

The Abraham Joshua Heschel School; New York (NY); On-site; USD 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

The Abraham Joshua Heschel School invites a seasoned Chief Technology Officer to join its senior leadership team. The CTO will provide strategic oversight of technology, data, and security across the school, lead a six-person technology team, and partner with the Head of School to align infrastructure and AI initiatives with Heschel’s educational mission.

This role emphasizes long-range planning, cybersecurity, data governance, and the thoughtful integration of technology into classrooms and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; an advanced degree or relevant advanced coursework is preferred
• Significant experience leading technology functions and supervising technology professionals, preferably within an independent school, educational institution, nonprofit organization, or similarly complex environment
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing long-term technology strategy aligned with organizational goals and priorities
• Broad expertise across technology operations, including infrastructure, enterprise systems, cybersecurity, data management, project management, budgeting, and end-user services
• Experience leading complex technology initiatives and evaluating emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, with the ability to translate strategy into thoughtful and sustainable implementation

Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight of Heschel’s technology environment, including infrastructure, enterprise systems, databases, cybersecurity, audiovisual technology, automation, and end-user services.
• Advance Heschel’s cybersecurity program, with particular attention to data protection, identity and access management, vulnerability management, incident response, business continuity, and employee awareness.
• Further develop practices for data governance, privacy, security, access, and integration, ensuring that institutional information is protected and supports effective decision-making.
• Guide long-term technology planning and investment, including systems, infrastructure, hardware, software, vendors, and services, while identifying opportunities to improve workflows, integration, and automation.
• Develop a cohesive, long-term technology strategy aligned with Heschel’s educational mission, institutional priorities, and evolving needs.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Head of School and senior leadership, bringing technology expertise into academic and operational planning and major institutional initiatives.
• Partner with academic leaders and educational technology colleagues to advance teaching and learning through applied technology, makerspace experiences, computer science, AI, robotics, physical computing, and emerging technologies.
• Guide technology planning for the High School expansion, ensuring that infrastructure, systems, classroom technologies, and future needs are thoughtfully incorporated into the project.
• Lead and develop Heschel’s six-person technology team, fostering a collaborative culture grounded in trust, accountability, autonomy, and shared priorities.
• Ensure reliable, responsive, and service-oriented technology support for students, faculty, staff, and administrators across the school.
• Build trusted relationships across academic and administrative departments, translating institutional needs into thoughtful, sustainable technology solutions.
• Report directly to the Head of School, serve as a member of the school’s senior leadership team, and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Technology leadership

Strategic planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communication

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Infrastructure management

Cybersecurity

Data management

Project management

Job description

SUMMARY

Since its founding in 1983, the Abraham Joshua Heschel School has grown from 28 students into a thriving independent, pluralistic Jewish day school serving more than 1,000 students from Nursery through Grade 12. Rooted in intellectual exploration, Jewish tradition, shared responsibility, and mutual respect, Heschel seeks to educate the whole child and prepare students to become lifelong learners and responsible, compassionate citizens of both the Jewish community and the wider world. This philosophy also shapes the school’s thoughtful approach to technology, recognizing that its role naturally varies by age, division, discipline, and purpose. As Heschel continues to evolve, the school sees an opportunity to develop a cohesive technology vision that advances its educational mission, improves operations, connects people and information, and prepares the school thoughtfully for the future.

Heschel is introducing the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) position as a new senior leadership role reporting directly to the Head of School. The inaugural CTO will provide strategic leadership across team development, AI and operational innovation, cybersecurity, data management, systems, and educational technology, while ensuring that technology is represented early in academic and operational planning. The CTO will lead a six-person technology team with expertise spanning infrastructure and systems, database administration, automation, educational technology, audiovisual and theater technology, and end-user support. Building on an established technical foundation, a recent cybersecurity assessment, emerging work around AI, and a significant High School expansion on the horizon, the CTO will bring these efforts together through a clear, schoolwide technology strategy. Heschel is seeking a proactive and collaborative leader who can balance innovation with the school’s educational philosophy, translate strategic priorities into sustainable practices, and position technology as a valued partner across the school. The Heschel community looks forward to welcoming its inaugural CTO in the summer of 2027.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Priority Deadline: November 29, 2026

Initial application review:December

Quarterfinal Round:Late November

Semifinal round:Early-to-mid January

Final Round:Week of January 25

Decision Announced:February 12, 2027

Start Date:July 1, 2027 (or earlier by mutual agreement)

Reports To:Head of School

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Annual Salary Range: $250,000 — $300,000

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Technology, Data, & Security

• Provide executive oversight of Heschel’s technology environment, including infrastructure, enterprise systems, databases, cybersecurity, audiovisual technology, automation, and end-user services.
• Advance Heschel’s cybersecurity program, with particular attention to data protection, identity and access management, vulnerability management, incident response, business continuity, and employee awareness.
• Further develop practices for data governance, privacy, security, access, and integration, ensuring that institutional information is protected and supports effective decision-making.
• Guide long-term technology planning and investment, including systems, infrastructure, hardware, software, vendors, and services, while identifying opportunities to improve workflows, integration, and automation.

Technology Strategy & Educational Technology

• Develop a cohesive, long-term technology strategy aligned with Heschel’s educational mission, institutional priorities, and evolving needs.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Head of School and senior leadership, bringing technology expertise into academic and operational planning and major institutional initiatives.
• Partner with academic leaders and educational technology colleagues to advance teaching and learning through applied technology, makerspace experiences, computer science, AI, robotics, physical computing, and emerging technologies.
• Guide technology planning for the High School expansion, ensuring that infrastructure, systems, classroom technologies, and future needs are thoughtfully incorporated into the project.

Departmental Leadership

• Lead and develop Heschel’s six-person technology team, fostering a collaborative culture grounded in trust, accountability, autonomy, and shared priorities.
• Ensure reliable, responsive, and service-oriented technology support for students, faculty, staff, and administrators across the school.
• Build trusted relationships across academic and administrative departments, translating institutional needs into thoughtful, sustainable technology solutions.
• Report directly to the Head of School, serve as a member of the school’s senior leadership team, and perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Professional Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; an advanced degree or relevant advanced coursework is preferred
• Significant experience leading technology functions and supervising technology professionals, preferably within an independent school, educational institution, nonprofit organization, or similarly complex environment
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing long-term technology strategy aligned with organizational goals and priorities
• Broad expertise across technology operations, including infrastructure, enterprise systems, cybersecurity, data management, project management, budgeting, and end-user services
• Experience leading complex technology initiatives and evaluating emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, with the ability to translate strategy into thoughtful and sustainable implementation

Leadership and Personal Qualities

• A collaborative, relationship-centered leader who can move comfortably between executive-level strategy, educational priorities, and the practical realities of technology operations
• Excellent judgment and a thoughtful approach to innovation, with the ability to determine where technology can meaningfully advance teaching, learning, and operations—and where a different solution may be more appropriate
• An effective team leader who establishes clear direction and accountability while empowering others with the trust, autonomy, and support to contribute their expertise and grow professionally
• An approachable and effective communicator who listens carefully, builds trust, and can translate complex technical concepts, opportunities, and risks for a wide range of audiences
• A genuine commitment to Heschel’s mission and educational philosophy, and an excitement to join and contribute to a supportive community of educators, staff, administrators, students, and families