Director of Information Technology

General Summary

The mission of Portage Learning is to transform lives and communities by providing learning opportunities for all who aspire to thrive. We do this not only through superior online instruction, but with a deep commitment to expanding access to education. We believe service is the thread that binds our community and our team together. To that end, we choose to …

• Believe the best in our employees
• Invest in our people
• Collaborate with humility, respect, and appreciation
• Cultivate curiosity and encourage creativity.

The Director of IT leads the IT team with accountability, curiosity, and collaboration, ensuring that every initiative delivers measurable impact and aligns with the organization’s mission and strategic goals.

Reporting to the VP of Technology, the IT Director oversees the execution of institution‑wide technology projects, balancing innovation with reliability. This leader translates organizational needs into scalable, secure, and efficient technology solutions which empower departments to perform at their best. The IT Director serves as both a strategist and a hands‑on problem solver, anticipates challenges, bridges technical and non‑technical teams, and follows through on commitments with clarity and precision.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function(s).

• Drive successful project execution by ensuring IT initiatives are completed on time, within scope, and with measurable results.
• Lead and mentor the IT team, fostering accountability, growth, and a culture of follow‑through.
• Partner with other departments to understand their needs, translate them into actionable technology solutions, and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Collaborate closely with the VP of Technology to develop, refine, and execute long‑term IT strategies and company‑wide initiatives.
• Set technology priorities and roadmaps that balance immediate business needs with future scalability and innovation.
• Ensure high levels of communication and follow‑up on all IT commitments, providing stakeholders across departments with clarity and confidence in progress.
• Proactively identify technology gaps, risks, and opportunities, offering solutions before issues escalates.
• Work independently to research, evaluate, and recommend technology improvements that support organizational efficiency and security.
• Take initiative in launching and managing cross‑functional projects, coordinating resources, and removing obstacles to ensure success.
• Establish and enforce IT policies, standards, and best practices to maintain system integrity, compliance, and data security.
• Oversee and/or delegate vendor relationships and technology contracts, ensuring performance and value align with organizational needs.
• Monitor IT performance metrics and present regular updates to the VP of Technology on progress, risks, and strategic opportunities.
• Champion innovation and digital transformation, bringing forward solutions that enhance productivity and drive competitive advantage.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Deep knowledge of IT infrastructure, including servers, storage, networking, and cloud platforms (AWS is a plus).
• Proficiency in systems administration (Windows, Linux, macOS) and familiarity with enterprise software environments (CRM, project management software, SIS).
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles, risk management, compliance standards, and data protection best practices.
• Experience with network architecture and management, including firewalls, VPNs, LAN/WAN, wireless, and DNS/DHCP.
• Familiarity with hardware lifecycle management, including procurement, deployment, monitoring, and decommissioning.
• Hands‑on experience with identity and access management solutions (SSO, MFA, Active Directory).
• Understanding of emerging technologies (AI, automation, edge computing, IoT) and their impact on the organization.

• Ability to set IT strategy in alignment with organizational objectives and translate vision into actionable roadmaps.
• Proven experience…