Director of IT

Director, Information Technology

Summary:

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH), founded in 1920, is located in the heart of University Circle, five miles east of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Considered one of the finest institutions of its kind in North America, the Museum offers an incredible visitor experience, attracting roughly 325,000 visitors a year. There are more than 140 public education programs and over 70,000 students served annually. The Museum employs about 160 people.

Building on its strong foundation of excellence in education and research, the Museum is poised to transform itself. The Museum will invite and engage a broader audience in the exploration of science and the natural world by revolutionizing the way it presents natural history. The Museum has launched a capital campaign to support a dramatic renovation and expansion of its facilities and exhibits. This ambitious plan will position the Museum to play a leading role in regional and national efforts to improve science education and increase scientific literacy.

The Museum is seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking, creative, organized and energetic professional.

Description:

The IT Director provides leadership and supervision to a group that is responsible for developing and implementing information technology initiatives. Further, the IT Director serves as an effective liaison between departments, the Network Administrator, IT Generalist and the Help Desk, as well as third-party vendors providing IT-related services. Finally, the IT Director manages an organizational budget, develops and implements policies and procedures to achieve organizational goals, assists in the development of functional strategy and interacts with internal and/or external leaders, including senior management.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation)

• Develop best practices, techniques, and tools for project planning, execution, project management, ongoing milestone/deliverable tracking, communication, and key performance metrics
• Oversee server and network infrastructure and functionality within a long range technology plan that includes current operations and future plans for system and data security, network reliability, remote future plans for system and data security, network reliability, remote connectivity, 24/7 system performance, operating systems, and server application software and recovery
• Responsible for designing, developing, implementing and supporting applications, systems and IT products required to achieve the Museum's objectives
• Maintain organizational effectiveness and efficiently define, deliver and support strategic plans for implementing information technologies
• Ensure consistent reliable functioning of all IT systems including networks, email (exchange), earned and controlled revenue (Tessitura), accounting databases, internet connectivity, and other systems that support the Museum
• Anticipate organizational needs and recognize areas for improvement
• Evaluate and propose hardware, software products and other equipment for the IT infrastructure including evaluating Server vs Cloud solutions and document storage solutions.
• Collaborate with internal departments and external organizations to make effective and timely decisions in alignment with departmental direction
• Effectively communicate and manage project expectations to team members, Directors, Senior Management and other stakeholders in a clear and concise fashion
• Perform risk management planning, risk identification and mitigation through implementation of disaster recovery, back-up procedures, and information security and control structures to provide a stable network and minimize disruptions
• Analyze production system operations using tools such as monitoring, capacity analysis and root cause analysis (RCA) and drive change that ensures continuous improvement in system stability and performance
• Effectively support marketing automation and eCommerce processes and systems to ensure the successful implementation of business improvement projects across the Museum
• Evaluate Museum objectives that may require new systems or enhancements to existing systems
• Serve as the architect for all future systems and networks, leading the design, development, and implementation of scalable, secure, and innovative technology solutions that align with organizational goals and evolving industry standards
• Oversee and implement database management, database support (with an emphasis in SQL), and the creation and maintenance of Museum wide database standards in partnership with DBA
• Maintain quality mindset and service by establishing and enforcing organization standards and delivering quality solutions
• Supervisor database staff of two, DBA and DVA
• Verify application results by conducting system audits of technologies implemented
• Create, refine and enforce a structured process for design, development, testing and deployment of all Museum systems across all departments
• Perform vendor management and contract negotiations and reviews
• Participate in departmental strategic and budgetary planning processes and administer the IT operating budget
• Supervise staff in all areas of responsibility including recruiting for open positions, making recommendations concerning hiring and dismissals, conducting annual performance reviews, and developing and administering training and development plans for departmental staff
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, benchmarking state-of-the-art practices and participating in professional societies to better leverage technology as appropriate
• Maintain a safe and secure work environment
• Comply with all laws and regulations that relate to IT systems, Network Systems, including software licenses, security, notifications, PCI and any other relevant requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/MIS, Engineering, Business Administration or related field, 8+ years of progressive experience in computing and Information Technology
• Minimum 2 years as solution architect or system architect, 8+ years of progressive network development and/or maintenance experience
• Minimum of 2 years of IT leadership support with team including third party vendors and budgeting authority
• Experience with Linux, Windows and Mac
• Experience managing primary Line of Business Applications (LOB Applications)
• Demonstrates general understating of hardware/software platforms including but not limited to operating systems, databases, application servers, web servers and integration technologies
• PMP Certification considered a plus
• Excellent communication, problem solving, project management, personnel management and team building skills
• Working knowledge of desktop services, network, security and servers is preferred
• Experience with third-party vendors, suppliers and experience with contract negotiation
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Able to work under pressure with ambiguous or competing priorities
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Museum at its discretion from time to time
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule that will include weekends and evenings as needed
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and have sufficient physical dexterity to work on IT equipment in spaces with limited access with or without reasonable accommodation

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, ADA EMPLOYER, and a SUBSTANCE-FREE WORKPLACE