Managing Director, Information Technology

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
• Gener