Chief Technology Officer

TrulyHired; New York (NY); On-site; USD 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Abraham Joshua Heschel School is seeking a Chief Technology Officer to provide strategic leadership across technology, data, and security. The CTO will guide long‑term planning, cybersecurity, and educational technology initiatives while leading a six-person team and reporting to the Head of School.

The role focuses on aligning technology with the school’s mission, managing infrastructure, enterprise systems, and vendor partnerships, and preparing for the High School expansion with thoughtful,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience leading technology functions in complex organizations.
• Proven ability to develop and implement long-term technology strategy.
• Broad expertise across infrastructure, enterprise systems, cybersecurity, data management, and end-user services.
• Experience evaluating emerging technologies, including AI, for sustainable programs.

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 emphasis on data protection, identity and access management, vulnerability management, incident response, business continuity, and awareness.
• Develop data governance, privacy, security, access, and integration practices; protect information and support decision-making.
• Lead long-term technology planning and investments; improve workflows, integration, and automation across systems and vendors.
• Develop a cohesive, long-term technology strategy aligned with educational mission and institutional priorities.
• Advise Head of School and senior leadership; bring technology into academic and operational planning.
• Collaborate with educators to advance teaching and learning through AI, robotics, and educational tech.
• Guide technology planning for High School expansion; ensure infrastructure aligns with future needs.
• Manage Heschel's six-person technology team; foster collaborative culture.
• Provide reliable, responsive technology support for students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

Skills

Tech leadership

Independent school experience

Technology strategy

IT operations

AI evaluation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Job Description

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, school‑wide 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
• 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