Interim Chief Technology Officer

The Principia•Des Peres, MO

7d•$157,000 - $183,000

About The Position

The Interim Chief Technology Officer advances Principia by leading a strategic assessment of our technology landscape and organizational structure, providing operational plans and an IT organization to implement that strategic plan, and establishing necessary and appropriate policies, procedures, and service level agreements. Reporting to Principia’s Chief Executive and partnering closely with our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer (CFO/COO), this role is tasked with understanding Principia’s strengths, opportunities, and culture, and making specific recommendations that position us for progress and modernization. The Interim CTO partners with the broader IT team, campus heads, and other institutional leaders to continue to provide secure and well-functioning core technology systems and to ensure technology is a true business partner in delivering exceptional employee and student experiences. Success in this role draws on strategic thinking, relationship building, visionary leadership, a propensity toward results, data fluency, project management, and a deep commitment to service and inclusion. This interim role is expected to last at least six and up to 12 months. At the conclusion of the interim period, Principia will review the recommendations and determine how to move the department forward and whether there is an ongoing need for a permanent Chief Technology Officer position. The interim CTO may be eligible to apply for the permanent role, should it be established. At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends. Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment [https://www.principia.edu/debm] where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Requirements

Student of Christian Science preferred
Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements [https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements]
Bachelor’s degree in relevant field; Master’s degree preferred
15 years of technology leadership experience, ideally in an educational or non-profit institution
15 years of progressive experience leading technology teams, with a proven track record of managing large, diverse groups and developing talent
Demonstrated success in strategic assessment and planning

Responsibilities

Conducts a comprehensive assessment of Principia’s technology infrastructure, organizational structure, and operational processes building on assessments already completed and available
Prepares a technology strategy, aligned with campus head and other institutional goals, including leveraging technology to improve learning and operational effectiveness
Recommends a new organizational structure to support this strategy, including help desk; network and telecom systems; cloud services; software acquisition, customization, tech support, and program management; media services (on both campuses); educational and classroom technology on both campuses; Business Intelligence and integration of AI
Provides adjusted job descriptions to support this new organizational structure
Prepares a comprehensive plan to implement that strategy, to include identifying and addressing gaps, risks, and areas for modernization in technology and digital strategy. Presents and gains approval of the CE and CFO/COO
Leads IT organization transition to implementing this strategic plan, including re-organization and management of the approved IT organization
Affirms technology standards, policies, and best practices, defining new and refining existing standard operating procedures, service level agreements, and policies
Audits software tools and recommend plan to eliminate redundancy and improve usability and support
Assesses and recommends adjustments to SIS, LMS, and productivity platforms (e.g. Microsoft 365, Google Workspace)
Engages with stakeholders across all levels to gather insights and feedback
Oversees IT governance, risk management, and cybersecurity during the interim period
Serves as a member of Principia’s Executive Team, partnering with senior leaders across the institution to advance strategic priorities
Seeks to understand Principia’s unique culture, strengths, and opportunities for improvement
Champions a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement within the IT team and across the organization
Mentors and supports IT leaders and staff, fostering professional growth and well-being