ABOUT ALLIANCE COLLEGE-READY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Alliance College-Ready Public Schools is one of the largest and most successful nonprofit public charter school networks in the nation, operating 26 high-performing, public charter middle and high schools that educate nearly 13,000 scholars from Los Angeles' most underserved communities. Alliance schools have been recognized as among the best in the nation by US News & World Report, Newsweek, the U.S. Department of Education, and the California Department of Education. Since opening its first school in 2004, 95% of Alliance scholars have graduated from high school and been accepted to college. We strive to truly change the life trajectories of our scholars and communities. Now is the time to join our collaborative community to make long-lasting change across Los Angeles. Come work at Alliance, where staff achieve and scholars succeed.
ROLE SUMMARY
Reporting to the Vice President of Data and Technology, the Director of Information Technology will lead the network-specific portion of the Information Technology team, ensuring the stability and integrity of data, voice, video, servers, and wireless network services. Responsibilities include maintaining, planning, designing, protecting, and developing local area networks (LANs) wide area networks (WANs), and future networks across the organization. In addition, the Director of Information Technology will participate in the installation, monitoring, maintenance, support, and optimization of all network hardware, software, VM environment, and communication links. This individual will also analyze and resolve network hardware and software problems in a timely and accurate fashion, and provide detailed resolution information. Strong experience with Cisco products is strongly preferred as all networking equipment within the organization is Cisco.
CONTEXT
As Alliance continues to build a culture of excellence, information technology has emerged as integral to propelling the organization to run at maximum effectiveness. Over the next few years, Alliance is projected to outgrow much of its historical technology infrastructure, and as such, is searching for a leader who is equally strong with the technical portions of the role, managing people, and overseeing change across Alliance schools and its home office.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy & Planning

• Collaborate with department leaders to assess network capacity needs.
• Create and maintain documentation as it relates to network design, network configuration, processes, and service records.
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, plans, and procedures for network administration, usage, and disaster recovery.
• Plan and develop network design for expansion including opening of new schools.
• Oversee long-term strategy for data center and cloud-based services.
• Handle day-to-day monitoring, management, and troubleshooting of all networking devices that comprise the schools' networks and Data Center networks.
• Work with other department staff to assist in identifying and implementing tools, processes, and procedures for maintaining and monitoring the overall health of the organization's network and infrastructure.
• Manage and work closely with Alliance's network vendor(s).
• Oversee network security policy and enforcement.
• Oversee cybersecurity (typically through third-party vendors) including protecting data, software, and hardware by coordinating, planning, and implementing network security measures.

Acquisition & Deployment

• Design and deploy company LANs, WANs, and wireless networks, including routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, servers (physical and VM), and other hardware.
• Research network products, services, protocols, and standards to remain abreast of developments in the networking industry.
• Oversee new and existing equipment, hardware refreshes, and software upgrades.
• Negotiate with vendors, and contractors to secure network products and services.
• Define network bid and RFP technical requirements to ensure appropriate service and pricing; experience with the federal E-Rate program is strongly preferred.

Operational Management

• Configure networks to ensure their smooth and reliable operation for fulfilling business objectives and processes.
• Monitor network performance and troubleshoot problem areas as needed.
• Ensure network connectivity of all servers, workstations, telephony equipment, fax machines, and other network appliances.
• Manage servers, including database, print, and backup servers and their associated operating systems and software.
• Practice network asset management, including maintenance of network component inventory and related documentation and technical specifications information.
• Monitor and test network performance and provide network performance statistics and reports.
• Participate in managing all network security solutions.
• Perform server and security audits, and system backups and recovery.
• Provide 2nd level technical support (helpdesk, network, or system administration) and problem resolution for issues escalated by school-based IT Coordinators, emphasizing customer service and minimizing end-user downtime.

People Management

• Co-manage the Information Technology team including ad hoc professional development, weekly team meetings, annual strategic planning, and ongoing task allocation;
• Supervise two or more direct reports, ensuring accurate and timely completion of project deliverables;
• Manage the development and professional growth of direct reports to ensure a strong, flexible talent pipeline;
• Delegate tasks and projects to team members and direct these team members to the tools and resources needed to meet individual goals and deliverables;
• Review team members' work and provide ongoing, timely, relevant, and constructive feedback to team members.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATES WILL HAVE

• Collaborative leadership who is committed to Alliance's core beliefs and educational philosophy;
• Deep commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion and a safe, equitable, and anti-racist environment for all scholars, families, and staff;
• Excellent project and people management focused on efficient work and development of team members;
• Proven cross-functional leader and influencer who can partner with multiple stakeholders and navigate strong complex issues;
• Team player who is willing to learn from all organizational stakeholders, work as equal partners with stakeholders on all projects, and motivate and lead employees.
• Solution-oriented by nature; can see challenges from multiple perspectives and envision ideas of how to accomplish objectives;
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-layered organization and build strong relationships with teachers, school leaders, and other home office and school-based colleagues;
• Working knowledge of K-12 education and urban school environments is preferred;
• Proven track record of developing and implementing effective systems and processes at scale;
• Comfort with, and enthusiasm for using large amounts of data to drive decisions at the team, division, and organization levels.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BS in computer science and/or 8 years equivalent work experience.
• Certifications in Cisco (CCNA, CCNP), Microsoft (MCSE), VMware (VCP5-DCV) are preferred.
• Proven experience and success with LAN, WLAN, and WAN, design and implementation along with knowledge of TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, QoS, RADIUS, TACACS, AAA, OSPF, iSCSI, routing, switching, and applications.
• Proven experience with network capacity planning and network management best practices.
• Strong knowledge of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, ChromeOS, OSX, etc.
• Excellent knowledge of telephony systems, including VOIP, and CUCM.
• Working technical knowledge of current network hardware, protocols, and Internet standards.
• Experience with IP addressing, VLANs, cabling infrastructure, and load balancers.
• Thorough understanding of the latest security principles, techniques, and protocols.
• Hands-on experience in security systems, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, anti-virus software, authentication systems, SSL certificates, log management, web filters, etc.
• Knowledge and familiarity with Microsoft Active Directory, Azure, and Office 365 including solution design, migration, administration, and troubleshooting.
• Excellent hardware troubleshooting experience and competence with testing tools and procedures for voice and data circuits.
• Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws.
• Able to conduct research into networking issues and products as required.
• Able to install and configure wired and wireless LAN equipment.

WORK LOCATION
This position is a hybrid role that will include working from home, our network office, and travel to school sites. The successful candidate will be given a $400 work-from-home set-up allowance and receive a monthly stipend of $100.
BENEFITS
In alignment with our commitment to equity for our scholars, Alliance is committed to equity and transparency for our team and offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience as well as generous retirement and health benefits. This position is exempt.

• Relocation : Individuals residing outside of the Greater Los Angeles area are eligible for a relocation bonus of $5,000 for individuals and $7,500 for new staff with families/partners.
• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision plan options that are covered at 100% of monthly premiums for individual employees and at least $1,000 per month towards medical family plan premiums. Please click HERE for more information on health insurance.
• Retirement: Alliance Home Office employees are eligible for a retirement allowance equal to 7.5% of their regular yearly earnings. Please click HERE for more information on retirement.
• Paid Leave: Regular full-time 12-month employees receive 8.5 weeks of vacation and paid time off. Additionally, full-time employees accrue 3 weeks of flexible paid time off per year and receive 27 other paid holidays as part of our network calendar.
• Professional Development: At Alliance, we believe in supporting staff growth and development. Home Office staff are allocated $500 per year for professional development expenses.

WORK LOCATION
This position is a hybrid role which will include a combination of working from home, our network office, and travel to school sites. The successful candidate will be given a $400 work-from-home set-up allowance and receive a monthly stipend of $100.
BENEFITS
In alignment with our commitment to equity for our scholars, Alliance is committed to equity and transparency for our team and offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience as well as generous retirement and health benefits. This position is exempt.

• Relocation : Individuals residing outside of the Greater Los Angeles area are eligible for a relocation bonus of $5,000 for individuals and $7,500 for new staff with families/partners.
• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision plan options that are covered at 100% of monthly premiums for individual employees and at least $1,000 per month towards medical family plan premiums. Please click HERE for more information on health insurance.
• Retirement: Alliance Home Office employees are eligible for a retirement allowance equal to 7.5% of their regular yearly earnings. Please click HERE for more information on retirement.
• Paid Leave: Regular full-time 12-month employees receive 8.5 weeks of vacation and paid time off. Additionally, full-time employees accrue 3 weeks of flexible paid time off per year and receive 27 other paid holidays as part of our network calendar.
• Professional Development: At Alliance, we believe in supporting staff growth and development. Home Office staff are allocated $500 per year for professional development expenses.

COMPENSATION
$110,000.00 - $154,550.00
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates should submit an application . Please note that only candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.
** PLEASE NOTE: Alliance College-Ready Public Schools requires that all team members be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for the safety of our students, family, and staff. Team members may apply to seek a medical exemption. Regardless of your current vaccination status, our team can advise you on how to fulfill this important requirement so that you can start the position in a timely way. **
Research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and other underrepresented people tend to only apply when they match every criterion. If you think you meet some of the qualifications, but don't necessarily check every box in the job description, we encourage you to still apply. If you have questions contact the Staffing Team at JoinUs@laalliance.org .
Alliance College-Ready Public Schools are tuition-free public charter schools that do not discriminate against any scholar, parent, community member, or staff member based on actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.