Director of Technology

Overall Purpose

The Director of Technology is a member of the K-12 senior leadership team, reporting directly to the Head of School and providing strategic leadership for the planning, governance, and coordination of technology, library, information literacy/research, media, artificial intelligence, data protection, and digital systems across the School. The role includes oversight of digital strategy, school-wide academic and operational systems, cybersecurity, communications infrastructure, and organizational technology operations. The Director of Technology collaborates with members of the senior leadership team, the Director of Teaching and Learning, and Principals to develop coordinated digital strategy and governance frameworks aligned with curricular innovation, AI integration, effective teaching and learning practices, data-informed decision making, and responsible technology use. As an instructional and strategic leader, the Director of Technology fosters a collaborative professional culture that advances innovation, ethical digital practice, and high-quality teaching and learning. The Director of Technology manages the Technology, Information Literacy, and Media (TILM) department. This role manages an IT Manager, Network & Data Integration Manager, and Systems Administrator. Additionally, the Director of Technology works closely with divisional technology coordinators, divisional librarians, data and technology support specialists, library support staff, all of whom support the growth and development of technology. Media Services has an A/V Production Coordinator and a School Center Manager. For academics, ASL primarily uses Apple Macintosh computer systems, with iPads in Grades K to 2 and 1:1 MacBooks in Grades 3‑12.

Summary of Major Responsibilities

• Support ASL’s mission by enhancing teaching, learning, and organizational effectiveness through the strategic, ethical, and secure integration of technology, library, information literacy/research, media, artificial intelligence, and digital systems across the School.
• Report directly to the Head of School, collaborating with divisional principals and senior administrators on K‑12 strategic planning, budgeting, risk management, and institutional innovation.
• Deliver periodic reports to the Board of Trustees on digital strategy, cybersecurity posture, AI governance, data protection compliance, and school‑wide academic and operational systems.
• Lead development and execution of a multi‑year technology and AI strategy aligned with the School’s strategic goals.
• Advise the Head of School and Board on emerging technologies, AI, cybersecurity, and digital risk.
• Lead organizational policy development in AI, digital ethics, data governance, and responsible technology use.
• Lead and participate in the recruitment, supervision, and evaluation of technology, library and media personnel in conjunction with divisional Principals and the Head of School.
• Coordinate with the Office of Teaching and Learning and divisional principals to lead organization‑wide integration of technology, AI, information literacy, media, and digital pedagogy aligned with research‑based instructional practices and responsible innovation.
• Work closely and productively with team leaders and department heads to use research‑based methods to integrate technology, information skills/research and media into teaching and learning, and to support instructional strategies.
• Serve on the K‑12 Academic Leadership Team, participating in school‑wide curriculum development and academic program initiatives.
• Lead professional learning aligned to TILM priorities by directing technology coordinators, librarians, and technology associates to design and facilitate on‑campus professional learning in collaboration with the Office of Teaching and Learning, and to support relevant external learning opportunities.
• Stay up‑to‑date with topics in educational technology, library, information skills/research and media by attending learning conferences, participating in online educational communities, consuming current literature, and testing new programs and systems with regularity.
• Lead development and implementation of school‑wide Digital Citizenship, AI literacy, and digital wellbeing frameworks for students, faculty, and families.
• Critically assess and improve operational uses of technology by non‑academic departments.
• Oversee strategic planning, daily operations, personnel supervision, budget management, long‑term capital planning, vendor contract negotiation, and departmental goals and outcomes for the TILM department.
• Take personal responsibility to support members of the technology/library/media department when after‑hours and weekend work is required for planned upgrades or emergency trouble‑shooting or repairs.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations for members of the technology/library/media department, ensuring that team members embrace new projects and provide outstanding support for faculty and staff members of varying skill levels.
• Lead strategic vendor evaluation, contract negotiation, data processing agreements, privacy compliance review, and performance management for technology, software, infrastructure, AI systems, and school‑wide academic and operational platforms.
• Lead development, review, and enforcement of organizational policies related to responsible use, AI governance, digital ethics, cybersecurity, safeguarding in digital environments, and acceptable technology use.
• Serve as the School’s formally designated Data Protection Officer and oversee compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, including SARs, DPIAs, LIAs, vendor compliance, biometric data governance, incident response protocols, and regulatory liaison where required.
• Perform any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the Head of School.

Essential Qualifications/Experience

• Technological leadership experience in a school setting.
• Substantive teaching experience in a technology/library/media program.
• Substantive experience in best practices for curriculum development and teaching.
• A commitment to student learning and experience implementing effective strategies and programs.
• Ability to assimilate and communicate complex information succinctly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing.
• Well‑developed interpersonal skills that inspire trust, confidence and credibility with all constituencies.
• Knowledge and experience in effective teacher supervision, evaluation, and mentoring.
• Evidence of a commitment to continuous professional development, demonstrated by appropriate professional memberships, conference attendance, and presentations.
• Strong leadership, project management, decision making, and a commitment to collaboration.
• A proven commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of children and promoting ethical and thoughtful uses of technology.

Desirable Qualifications/Experience

• Previous experience as a Director of Technology in a similar institution in a diverse setting.