Director of Information Technology

RiseMe; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Montessori School of Raleigh and Carolina Preparatory Academy seek a Director of Information Technology to lead technology strategy across both campuses. The role reports to the CFOO and guides infrastructure, cybersecurity, data governance, and IT services to support academic and administrative operations.

The successful candidate will build a high-performing team, manage the technology budget, collaborate with leadership, and ensure resources align with the schools’ mission and priorities

Qualifications

• Experience leading technology in an educational or multi-site environment.
• Strong governance to ensure data privacy and cybersecurity compliance.
• Ability to manage budgets, vendors, and projects to support school operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a multi-year technology strategy aligned with Montessori/IB pedagogy and operational priorities.
• Lead the technology team, including supervision of key IT staff and external vendors.
• Oversee cybersecurity, data governance, and infrastructure modernization for two campuses.

Skills

Strategic technology leadership

Cybersecurity governance

Budgeting & vendor management

Team building & mentoring

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS or related field

Tools

Mosyle MDM

Ubiquiti

SonicWall

Meraki

Job description

Status: Full-time/Exempt

Classification: 12-month Administrator

Location: In-person; The Montessori School of Raleigh and Carolina Preparatory Academy

Supervisor: Chief Financial and Operations Officer (CFOO)

Supervises: Database & Datasystems Administrator and Technology Coordinator

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Start Date: Immediate

Position Summary

The Montessori School of Raleigh & Carolina Preparatory Academy is seeking a Director of Information Technology (Director of IT) to start immediately. Reporting to the Chief Financial and Operations Officer and serving as a member of the Operations Team, the Director of IT will provide strategic and operational leadership for technology across both schools.

The Director of IT oversees the school’s technology team and is responsible for the systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, information management, and technology services that support both campuses. The Director of IT partners closely with academic and administrative leaders to understand the evolving needs of the school, identify opportunities to leverage technology effectively, and ensure that technology resources and services are aligned with the mission and priorities of the school. The Director of IT also manages the technology budget, vendors, projects, policies, and processes necessary to provide a high-quality and sustainable technology environment.

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative, hands‑on technology leader who combines strategic vision with strong operational skills. They will build trust across the community, exercise sound judgement and discretion, provide responsive support, and effectively balance long‑term priorities with the day‑to‑day needs of a dynamic school environment.

Overview

Established in 1974, The Montessori School of Raleigh (MSR) & Carolina Preparatory Academy (Carolina Prep) is a vibrant and exceptional independent Montessori and International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in the Triangle area serving 400+ students aged 15 months through 18 years. The school is committed to the intellectual, ethical, and personal development of our students. Our Montessori programs for students from Toddler - Upper Elementary (15 months - grade 6) are located on our 10-acre campus in North Raleigh. The campus features five buildings in a child‑centered, village‑like setting surrounded by wetlands and protected forest. Our International Baccalaureate Middle Years and Diploma programmes for Middle and High School students (grades 6 - 12) are housed on an expansive 40-acre wooded campus in Brier Creek. Driven by our core values of “Respect,” “Integrity,” “Community” and “Love of Learning,” MSR and Carolina Prep welcomes prospective employees of all backgrounds. We are committed to attracting and retaining the highest quality faculty and staff through a comprehensive compensation plan, including competitive salary and an expansive benefits package. MSR and Carolina Prep are accredited by AMS, Cognia, and the IBO.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a multi-year technology strategy aligned with Montessori and IB pedagogy, institutional growth, operational sustainability, and strategic priorities.
• Establish governance structures, policies, and standards for technology, data management, digital safety, and responsible AI usage.
• Build and mentor a high-performing technology team, including the direct supervision of the Technology Coordinator and theData Systems Administrator; and support of the Director of Educational Technology Lower School Media & Technology Specialist.
• Establish and lead technology committees to evaluate and optimize technologies that improve academics and enhance operational efficiency.
• Serve as the institution’s primary advisor on digital strategy, cybersecurity, infrastructure modernization, and emerging technologies.
• Lead technology risk management initiatives in partnership with the Head of School, CFOO, and school leadership team.
• Present institutional technology strategy, risk posture, and innovation initiatives to the Leadership Team, Board of Trustees, committees, and community members as needed.
• In partnership with the CFOO, develop and steward the annual technology budget and long-term capital planning.
• Negotiate and manage vendor relationships to ensure service quality, cost efficiency, and contractual compliance.
• Oversee the employee and student lifecycle process as it relates to technology access.
• Oversee technology projects, ensuring requirements and roadmaps are established, communication is consistent, and deadlines are met.
• Oversee the Technology Department's budgeting and purchasing operations.

Infrastructure & Support

• Provide leadership and oversight of the institution’s technology infrastructure, including networks, servers, cloud services and applications, communications, and security platforms.
• Ensure a secure, reliable, scalable, and cost‑effective technical environment that supports teaching, learning, and administrative operations.
• Oversee the delivery of high-quality technical support services, ensuring timely resolution and strong user experiences.
• Oversee the evaluation, acquisition, installation, and maintenance of technology hardware and software to support instructional and operational needs.
• Supervise and support the Technology Coordinator with the management of identity access platforms, device management systems, VoIP and two‑way communication systems, emergency broadcasting systems, and audio/visual technologies.

Data Systems

• Oversee the architecture, integration, and governance of data systems, including student information systems (SIS), health information systems (HIS), learning management systems (LMS), and other administrative platforms.
• Establish and enforce data policies and procedures that ensure data quality, integrity, accessibility, privacy, and interoperability.
• Lead strategic data initiatives, including dashboards, predictive analytics, and reporting systems that inform institutional strategy.
• Partner with academic and administrative leaders to ensure data supports instruction, planning, evaluation, and growth strategies.

Educational Technology

• Partner with academic leadership to align technology with Montessori and IB curriculum and instructional practices.
• Support the Director of Educational Technology in the selection and implementation of tools that support teaching and learning, assessments, and reporting.
• With the Director of Educational Technology, oversee the school’s 1:1 and shared device programs, regularly evaluating their effectiveness in supporting teaching and learning.
• Partner with the Director of Educational Technology and Lower School Media & Technology Specialist to support and expand media programs by integrating digital resources, technology tools, and learning environments.
• Support the Director of Educational Technology in the management of library and media services that enhance research, literacy, information access, and digital creativity.

Innovation & Artificial Intelligence

• Lead institutional initiatives on innovation and responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into academics and operations.
• Develop an innovation roadmap that explores emerging technologies (including AI) to support personalized learning, operational automation, and educational excellence.
• Set frameworks and ethical guidelines for safe and responsible AI use within the institution.
• Continuously evaluate and pilot tools that enhance instruction, analytics, accessibility, and administrative workflows.
• In partnership with the technology team, lead professional development opportunities for faculty and staff on AI literacy and pedagogical applications.

Cybersecurity & Digital Safety

• Oversee the institution’s cybersecurity efforts, including the protection of institutional assets, digital identities, networks/infrastructure, data systems, and users.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, including regular risk assessments, threat monitoring, incident response, identity management, and disaster recovery/business continuity planning.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable privacy laws (i.e. FERPA, HIPAA, COPPA), insurance requirements, and school policies.
• Promote a culture of digital safety through education, policy, and proactive risk mitigation.
• Oversee investigations related to technology misuse, cybersecurity incidents, or digital risk.
• Other duties as assigned by the Head of School or Chief Financial and Operations Officer

Please note that the duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this position.

Competencies

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to MSR & Carolina Prep’s mission, core values of respect, integrity, community, and love of learning, and the school’s long-term operational success.
• Possesses excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to successfully manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines.
• Demonstrates proficiency with macOS, Apple iOS, and ChromeOS, with working knowledge of Windows and Android operating systems.
• Has experience with Mosyle MDM, Ubiquiti, SonicWall, and Meraki technologies.
• Possesses significant experience configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting network infrastructure, including routers, bridges, switches, modems, cabling, wireless networks, and security devices.
• Demonstrates comfort working in a technology-rich educational environment and supporting a wide range of institutional, instructional, and administrative software applications.
• Possesses strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to troubleshoot effectively and navigate challenging situations with sound judgment.
• Demonstrates a positive, collaborative attitude and the ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team in support of the MSR & Carolina Prep community.
• Effectively prioritizes and independently manages multiple tasks, projects, and competing demands in a timely and organized manner.
• Provides exceptional customer service to faculty, staff, students, vendors, and other end users. Communicates clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing, with individuals possessing varying levels of technical knowledge and experience.
• Builds and maintains positive, productive relationships with colleagues, vendors, and members of the school community.
• Embraces change as an opportunity for growth and innovation and is committed to fostering a culture of technology inclusion and accessibility.
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement, actively seeks feedback, and uses it to enhance technology services and the user experience.
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises appropriate discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Brings a can‑do attitude, persistence, adaptability, and a solution‑oriented approach to challenges and setbacks.
• Demonstrates professionalism, flexibility, patience, and a healthy sense of humor.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

The Director of IT can expect to:

• Work in a fast‑paced environment dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a varied and diverse array of contacts
• Work primarily in a traditional climate‑controlled office environment
• Regularly sit, talk, hear, and interact with students, parents, staff, and visitors
• Occasionally lift up to 30 lbs.
• Regularly uses close and distance vision
• Turn, bend, and reach

It is the policy of The Montessori School of Raleigh to make employment decisions on the basis of qualifications for a specific job without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national or ethnic origin, age, veteran status, or the presence of a disability, except where such is a bona fide occupational qualification. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self‑identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference check with current employer (or most recent employer if not currently employed) and background investigation.

About Raleigh-Durham

The Raleigh-Durham area is consistently ranked among the top places to live with strong job growth and a high quality of life. Top universities, a rich diversity of arts and cultural offerings, excellent health care, and lower than average housing costs, draw people in from all over the nation. Our mild climate and proximity to both beaches and mountains makes the Raleigh Durham area an ideal place to live.