Managing Director, Information Technology

Harlem Children's Zone; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Harlem Children's Zone is seeking a Managing Director of Information Technology to lead a high-performing IT team. This role involves guiding strategic direction, implementing technology solutions, and fostering a positive team culture to support HCZ's mission of breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Applicants must have extensive IT leadership experience and possess a passion for education and community service.

Benefits

Highly competitive base salary

Generous paid time off

Employee referral bonuses

Career advancement opportunities

No-cost health insurance

Life insurance

Short- and long-term disability coverage

Wellness program discounts

Commuter benefits

Financial wellness programs

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive IT leadership experience in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Proven ability to implement effective strategies in complex organizations.
• Industry certifications (Microsoft, Cisco, PMI, etc.) are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate the IT team to deliver excellent customer service.
• Manage the technology budget and ensure strategic investments.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory and security standards.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Technical aptitude

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field

Tools

Microsoft technology stack

Cisco

SD-WAN

Job description

Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) — a world-renowned education and poverty-fighting organization based in New York — seeks an enthusiastic, mission-driven, and experienced professional to lead its Information Technology Department.

The Managing Director of Information Technology (MDIT) will be passionate about HCZ’s mission: to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty through comprehensive, on-the-ground programming that builds opportunities for children and families to thrive in school, work, and life.

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the MDIT is a key member of the senior leadership team and will guide the strategic direction, infrastructure, and performance of HCZ’s information technology. In addition to technical expertise, the ideal candidate will bring strong people leadership, coaching skills, and a customer service mindset to build and sustain a high-performing IT team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive IT leadership experience, ideally in a fast-paced, mission-driven or nonprofit environment.
• Deep understanding of networking, cloud networking (Cisco, SD-WAN, Network Automation, DNS, VPN), and SaaS/PaaS/IaaS environments.
• Experience supporting Windows/MacOS, enterprise, and school-based applications.
• Experience with network infrastructure (Switching/Routing/Firewalls/Wi-Fi/IP Telephony).

Who you are

• Proven ability to lead teams, manage change, and implement effective strategies in complex organizations.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated experience managing IT budgets and ensuring cost-effective technology operations.
• Hands-on approach to strategic implementation and systems management.
• Industry certifications (Microsoft, Cisco, PMI, etc.) are a plus
• Proficient with Microsoft technology stack (Active Directory/Entra ID, Azure)
• Strong understanding of application, server, and network security protocols.
• Familiarity with wireless technologies (Wi-Fi 6) and VoIP/IP Telephony systems.
• Experience with disaster recovery and resiliency planning, including cloud/on-prem backups and ISP failover.
• Support for iOS, Android, and Windows devices.
• Proficient in connectivity management: fiber, coax, ISP, WAN, LAN, WLAN.
• Track record of issue diagnosis, root cause analysis, and implementation of scalable solutions.
• Ability to develop and enforce policies and procedures to deliver high-quality, secure, and reliable IT services.

What you'll do

• Foster a strong, positive team culture grounded in HCZ’s Core Values: Children First, Servant Leadership, Place Matters.
• Lead, coach, and motivate the IT team to deliver excellent customer service and communicate effectively with non-technical staff.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and responsiveness across the organization
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership to align technology priorities with HCZ's strategic plan and growth trajectory.
• Prioritize and delegate tasks effectively to ensure timely and high-quality outcomes.
• Provide a learning-focused environment that supports the development and growth of IT team members.
• Oversee the technology budget and ensure cost-effective, strategic investments.
• Manage vendor relationships and consultant engagements.
• Evaluate enterprise technologies for fit and scalability within the organization.
• Collaborate with other departments on database enhancements and IT solutions.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and best practices that support HCZ’s operations and mission.
• Ensure that IT resources align with the organization’s short- and long-term goals.
• Develop and manage project plans for all technology initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory and security standards.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, upgrades, and implementation of new systems and applications.
• Partner with organizational leaders to deliver tailored technology solutions that solve real business challenges.

Schedule

• Hybrid; Four days in office; One remote day per week

Benefits

As part of the HCZ team, you’ll join a supportive and inclusive community committed to the well-being and growth of our children, families, and staff. We offer competitive salaries and an exceptional benefits package, including:

• Highly competitive base salary
• Generous paid time off
• Employee referral bonuses
• Career advancement opportunities
• No-cost health insurance
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Voluntary benefits
• Wellness program discounts
• Commuter benefits
• Financial wellness programs
• Exclusive discounts (e.g., flights, hotels, theme parks, concert tickets, and more)

The salary range for this role is $170,000-$190,000. To be considered, interested applicants should apply directly through the job posting. No phone calls or recruiters, please. Only qualified applicants will be contacted. Harlem Children's Zone and Promise Academy Charter Schools does not provide work visas for candidates who require employer sponsorship to ensure work authorization in the United States. Harlem Children's Zone is an Equal Opportunity Employer.