Senior Director of Technology Strategy - US Based Remote Opportunity

Common; Arlington (VA); Remote; USD 187,000 - 212,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the college admissions process is seeking a Senior Director of Software Engineering. This pivotal role involves shaping the technological vision, modernizing systems, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in technology strategy, leadership, and enterprise architecture, driving digital transformation initiatives. This position offers a unique opportunity to impact the education sector positively while working in a collaborative, virtual-first environment that values work-life balance and personal growth. Join a mission-driven team committed to creating equitable access to higher education.

Benefits

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Monthly mental health day

403(b) retirement plan with company contribution

Choice of PC or MAC laptop

Monthly remote work stipend

Career development funds

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Company provided life insurance

Growth opportunities within the company

Qualifications

• 10+ years in technology strategy or architecture roles.
• Exceptional leadership skills and experience in managing technology roadmaps.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of Common App's technological vision.
• Oversee a team to drive modernization of systems and align tech initiatives.

Skills

Technology Strategy

Enterprise Architecture

Cloud Environments (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)

Leadership

Digital Transformation

Microservices

AI/ML

Software Development Management

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Master’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Salesforce

Data Bricks

Job description

ABOUT US

Do you have a passion for higher education? Do you want to make a positive impact on the college admissions process? Our staff help to remove barriers and encourage students to forge their path to a better future. Common App is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year we support more than 1 million students, one-third of whom are first-generation, as they apply to our more than 1000 diverse member colleges & universities using the Common App's free online application.

If you are an experienced Sr. Director of Software Engineering professional and want to be part of a mission-driven non-profit that uses innovative technology to advance the college admission process, Common App may be a great match for you. Common App is currently searching for a Sr. Director of Software Engineering.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Director of Technology Strategy will contribute to the development and execution of Common App's technological vision, driving the modernization of its systems and aligning technology initiatives with organizational goals. Collaborating with senior leadership, this role defines architectural standards to ensure systems are secure, scalable, and aligned with industry best practices. Supporting the SVP of Technology Services, the Senior Director oversees a team and leads the adoption of robust architectures, designs, and technology to advance Common App’s services.

The Senior Director of Technology Strategy is a mission-driven individual passionate about solving challenges in postsecondary education. They will partner with product strategy, constituent engagement, divisions of technical services, and other areas of the organization to define and develop software and technical solutions in existing and new services.

QUALIFICATIONS

This role requires:

1. Candidates must live in the United States.
2. Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
3. 10+ years of experience in technology strategy or architecture roles.
4. 8+ years in a leadership position.
5. Proven experience in managing technology roadmaps and overseeing enterprise-scale system implementations.
6. Exceptional leadership skills to set direction and enable strong collaboration across functional areas.
7. Strong organizational and management skills, preferably in a collaborative, team environment.
8. Expertise in enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF) and contemporary technologies such as cloud environments (AWS), SaaS applications (Salesforce, Data Bricks), and microservices.
9. Extensive understanding of cloud-native architectures and serverless technologies, with experience in modernizing legacy systems.
10. Proven track record in driving digital transformation initiatives and guiding organizations through complex technology changes.
11. Extensive background in emerging technologies such as AI/ML and big data platforms, with the ability to drive innovation within the organization.
12. Proven experience in managing large-scale software development projects, particularly in cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.
13. Expertise in Tech Strategy best practices, including microservices, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and API-driven development.
14. Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts into business strategies and outcomes.

The ideal candidate will possess:

1. Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
2. Previous experience in higher education, education technology or college admissions and enrollment.
3. A passion for higher education is a plus.

PAY RANGE

$187,987 - $211,485

Common App is a virtual first environment. We value our employees’ time and efforts. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by our competitive salary and an extensive benefits package including:

1. Work-Life balance
   • Virtual-first office
   • Paid Time Off (PTO)
   • Seven company-wide holidays
   • Nine floating holidays*
   • Sick leave
   • Monthly mental health day
2. Virtual-first support
   • Choice of PC of MAC laptop
   • May choose an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and/or headset
   • One-time office set-up stipend
   • Monthly remote work stipend
   • Monthly mobile stipend
3. Financial security
   • Market-based salaries
   • Performance-based bonus
   • 403(b) retirement plan
     • 5% company contribution
     • additional 5% company match
     • 3-year vesting schedule
     • Participation may begin immediately
4. Health & wellness
   • Choice of two health insurance plans
     • Health Savings Account, depending on health plan selection
     • Medical Flexible Savings Account, depending on health plan selection
   • Vision insurance
   • Dental insurance
   • Insurance coverage begins on the date of hire
   • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
   • Maven virtual clinic for women’s and family health
   • Company provided life and ad&d insurance
   • Opportunity to purchase additional life insurance for self, spouse, and dependents
   • Company provided short and long-term disability insurance
5. Career development
   • Budgeted annual funds for professional development
   • Growth opportunities within the company
6. Additional perks
   • Mutual of Omaha Employee Assistance Program
   • Mutual of Omaha will preparation services
   • Mutual of Omaha travel assistance
   • Payroll dedication pet insurance through PinPaws
   • 1Password family account

We work to maintain the best possible environment for our staff, where people can learn and grow. We strive to provide a diverse, collaborative, team-oriented, creative environment where each person feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning, and culture.

HOW DO I APPLY

To apply for this opportunity, send your resume and cover letter with salary expectations.