Director of IT
Taipei American School (Taiwan)

Taipei American School

Seeks a new

Director of IT

Effective August 2017

Application Deadline:  October 30, 2016

TAS Overview

Taipei American School (TAS) is an independent coeducational day school that offers an American based educational programs from pre-kindergarten (KA) to grade 12 for students from the expatriate community in Taipei. The academic, athletic, performing arts, extracurricular and college placement programs are excellent, as is the facilities for students, faculty and all members of the TAS community. TAS benefits from the synergy created by an outstanding faculty and staff, students who are ready to learn, supportive and committed parents, and a Board of Directors that keep student learning at the center of its discussions.

Position Description Summary

The Director of IT is a creative and dynamic leader charged with developing and implementing a strategic vision in all areas of technology for TAS. The Director will facilitate the integration of digital tools and best practices into curriculum and administrative systems. Both a big picture thinker and a hands-on implementer, the Director of IT engages with administrators, educators, and support personnel, parents, and students to extend responsible and creative use of technology.

The Director of IT must be a strategic thinker with strong communication, organization, and interpersonal skills, as well as the enthusiasm and credibility to create and sustain instructional momentum in the appropriate use of technology in the school’s curriculum and instruction. The Director oversees the IT Department and guides, supports, mentors, monitors, and evaluates technology team members to ensure that each serves as a strong leader and creates an environment of shared knowledge and purpose.

The Director oversees faculty and staff learning opportunities to meet diverse needs relating to integrating technology into academic programming. The Director must clearly define the mission of the IT Department to ensure all members are unified toward a common goal. The Director of IT works with educational and other school administrators to ensure that the technology program and services meet educational needs as well as communication needs of the schools and programs. The Director of IT also works with other administrators, such as the Director of Human Resources, the Controller, and the Chief Administrative Officer for Business and Operations to ensure that their technology systems and needs are being addressed and supported.

The Director of IT serves on the Leadership Team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities of this position include the following. Employee in this position performs some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned.

LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1. Develop and implement a strategic vision for the innovative utilization of technology in both the academic and infrastructure strands
2. Is familiar with the school’s strategic plan, board policy, and other relevant policy and procedure materials and seeks to comply with and implement these standards
3. Maintain knowledge of and communicate current research findings and forecasts related to the effective use of technology in the school’s educational program to enhance teaching and learning
4. Provide current, cutting-edge information to support decision-making on academic and administrative technology matters
5. Partner with members of the community to articulate mission values and connections between ethics and technology
6. Champion changes in curriculum design and delivery in conjunction with administrators
7. In collaboration with the administration, oversee professional development of staff in the integration of technology into the curriculum; will also at times provide direct professional development
8. Ensure that all educators have access to the appropriate tools for innovative learning
9. Focus on ensuring that network and other technology resources are used safely and responsibly, rather than limiting access
10. Eliminate the status quo in order to implement new technology applications, best practices, and support
11. Work with the system support team to assign support team priorities, while overseeing completion of work
12. Provide professional development opportunities for faculty and staff

MANAGEMENT

1. Oversee all administrative aspects of technology programs and services, including infrastructure implementation/replacement and maintenance, support of educators and support staff in the use of hardware and equipment and management
2. Oversee the delegated responsibility of designing, developing, analyzing, and enhancing school information systems and digital services (currently, PowerSchool, Blackbaud FE/RE, Blackboard Learn+, GSS CRM/HRM, SchoolDude)
3. Oversee the delegated responsibility of isolating, researching, and resolving complex problems or issues for critical applications.
4. Oversee the school website and other web-based communication platforms
5. With the Systems Support Team, responsible for the management, implementation, on-going development, preventative maintenance, repair, and work order scheduling program for the school’s IT hardware and software systems
6. Evaluate the performance of IT Department employees and oversee training and support to enhance contributions

PROCUREMENT & BUDGETING

1. Explore contracting with cloud-based and out-sourced services and negotiate advantageous contracts when appropriate
2. Effectively allocate and manage resources to support strategic priorities and initiatives
3. Provide leadership in the purchase and acquisition of new technology and equipment; consult with appropriate stakeholders to coordinate, evaluate, recommend, and purchase new technology and equipment
4. Possess the understanding of industry-standard related practices and procedures of regulations and guidelines as they relate to the purchase and use of software (specifically copyright laws and the use of licensed equipment and materials)
5. Develop and monitor annual instructional technology and technology operations/capital budgets in cooperation with appropriate stakeholders

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Professionally represent the school in interactions with parents, community, staff, and students; resolve conflict in a professional manner
2. Comply with applicable local laws, rules, and regulations
3. Facilitate professional development opportunities for best use of technology to support student learning
4. Train, assist, and guide all staff under his/her direction
5. Oversee the school's Acceptable Use Policies and all procedures and protocols for safe and appropriate technology use in the school
6. Establish system-wide software and hardware standards requirements and specifications

Preferred Qualifications

1.  Experience in a similar position in at least one well known independent or international school (preferably KA - 12 day school), which is recognized for advanced use of technology for academics and operational enhancements
2.  Preferably have experience working with iPads or other mobile devices in education
3.  Proven record of accomplishment in technology planning and technology personnel management
4.  Experience preparing and managing budgets
5.  Proven track record of integrating technology into a classroom setting at a 1:1 school
6.  Proven track record of effective project management
7.  Strong communication skills—written and verbal
8.  Proven track record of supervising and mentoring technical employees to high performance
9.  Broad knowledge of industry standards and best practices in the use of technology in schools, including NAIS Principles of Good Practice on Technology
10.  Professional presence and service orientation
11.  Proven track record of thinking big, managing multiple priorities, and working with ambiguity
12.  Proven track record of ability to delegate
13.  Master degree with preference in educational technology, IT management or similar field of study

Terms of Employment

The successful candidate will be offered an initial 2-year contract with annual renewal opportunity upon successful completion.

Application Procedures:

TAS has retained Search Associates consultant Bridget McNamer to conduct the initial phases of this search.  Interested candidates should send an application at the earliest possible time but no later than October 30, 2016.

Applications will be accepted in electronic form only. Qualified candidates are asked to send all application materials in a single .pdf file, of 4 MB or less, to bmcnamer@searchassociates.com with a copy to jdoxey@searchassociates.com.

Applications should include the following:

•  Cover letter
•  Resume, not more than two pages
•  Names and contact information for at least three references who have been in supervisory roles to applicant

Candidates should note that, in the event an outstanding applicant is identified early in the search process, TAS reserves the right to bring the search to an early close.  For this reason it is very important that interested candidates apply at the earliest appropriate time.

Please refer to the school’s website: www.tas.edu.tw for further information and pictures.