Associate Director of Technology
About AscendAscend is Brooklyn's premier K-12 public charter network, committed to graduating high-achieving students who have access to boundless choice in their futures-not only through college acceptance, but through meaningful preparation for career readiness and thriving adult lives.Across our schools, we pair rigorous academics with strong systems, supportive adult culture, and a deep belief in students' brilliance and potential. Our work is grounded in the understanding that preparing students for long-term success requires excellence in instruction, intentional culture-building, and disciplined execution at every level of the organization.At Ascend, adults are held to high standards because our students deserve nothing less. How we teach, lead, collaborate, and make decisions every day directly shapes the opportunities our students will have tomorrow.Join us in shaping learning environments where curiosity is nurtured, excellence is the norm, and every student is prepared for a lifetime of boundless choice.About the RoleAs a leader on the Ascend Technology Team, the Associate Director of Technology (ADT) will play a critical role in supporting and administering the organization's applications and infrastructure. The ADT is responsible for providing input in making executive technology decisions on behalf of the organization to align the organization with our vision for its technological needs. Travel between our Brooklyn schools and occasional weekend and/or evening work is required.Key ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities, including, but not limited to:Operational Management:Direct program assessments to ensure that technology standards for teachers and students meet academic goalsInvestigate network intrusions, cybersecurity risks, and breaches to identify root causes and mitigate future risksSupport the design, development, and implementation of secure, resilient infrastructure protecting organizational dataAssess organizational and departmental requirements to determine technology needs and ensure alignment with business objectives Technology Strategy: Ensure all technology practices comply with regulatory, security, and operational standardsEvaluate short- and long-term technology needs to meet organizational goalsMonitor emerging technologies and industry trends to guide strategic planning Project & Vendor Management: Communicate technology updates clearly and promptly to school and network staffLead IT projects that improve system efficiency, compliance, and best-practice implementationMaintain a customer-focused approach to delivering technology solutions Team Leadership: Anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and develop strategies that advance operational excellenceUse data, cross-functional goals, and problem-solving to align team efforts with organizational prioritiesSupervise and develop Senior Systems Administrators to strengthen technical preparedness, response, and campus-level supportMentor team members and participate in professional development aligned with organizational needs Staff and Reporting RelationshipsThe Associate Director of Technology reports to the Director of Technology Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field7+ years of work experience in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving environment3+ years of managerial experienceIndustry certifications (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft, Cisco, PMI, HP) are a plusKnowledge of networking and cloud networking (Cisco, Meraki, software-defined networking, network virtualization, load balancing, DNS, VPN) and their application to PaaS and IaaS technologiesExperience administering and supporting Windows/MacOS, enterprise, and school-based applicationsExperience with Microsoft's technology stack (Active Directory, Windows Server, DNS, DHCP, Hyper-V, Azure, etc.)Strong understanding of application, server, and network securityDemonstrated ability to monitor and optimize the performance of all technology systems, including staff devices, network infrastructure, applications, and hardwareAbility to analyze organizational and departmental requirements to determine technology needs and ensure alignment with business goalsExperience in evaluating, purchasing, and managing cost-effective hardware, software, and services, including negotiating vendor contracts and maintaining strategic vendor relationshipsExperience in monitoring and optimizing the performance of all technology systems, including staff devices, network infrastructure, applications, and hardwareSkills and TraitsA successful Associate Director of Technology will demonstrate:Extensive industry knowledge and a forward-thinking mindset, with the ability to anticipate emerging technologies and organizational needs.Strong leadership, team management, and organizational skills, including effective delegation and the ability to guide teams to achieve key performance indicators.Excellent communication and customer service skills, with the ability to prioritize, problem-solve, and build trust with diverse stakeholders.Ability to operate in a fast-paced, collaborative, service-oriented environment, demonstrating flexibility, adaptability, and resilience.Comfort balancing hands-on technical work with strategic planning, contributing both to immediate needs and long-term initiatives.Strong troubleshooting and critical-thinking abilities, with a commitment to delivering high-quality, results-oriented work.High degree of independence and initiative, knowing when to take ownership and when to seek guidance or escalate issues.Excellent time and task management skills, with the ability to perform effectively in a KPI-driven environment. CompensationThe salary will start at $90,000 annually, commensurate with the level of experience.Location & Work ArrangementBased in our Brooklyn, NY officeHybrid work schedule requiring in-office presence at least three days per weekOccasional professional conference travel