Director of Technology, Innovation and Data Security

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Director of Technology, Innovation, and Data Security is a forward-looking leader responsible for shaping the technology vision, infrastructure, and security posture of UNC Kenan-Flagler Executive Development. This role ensures that our technology environment is secure, reliable, and future-ready while actively advancing innovation in how we design, deliver, and scale transformative learning experiences.

Serving as both a strategic technology steward and an innovation catalyst, this leader balances the core responsibilities of IT infrastructure and cybersecurity with a focus on enabling cutting-edge, value-adding tools and practices. The Director partners closely with learning designers, client relationship managers, marketing, finance, sales, and program operations teams to identify and deploy technologies that enhance organizational effectiveness and enrich the client experience across in-person, digital, and hybrid modalities.

This role also ensures world-class security protocols and practices, developed in close partnership with Kenan-Flagler IT and UNC Information Technology Services, to safeguard organizational and client trust.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Technology Vision & Innovation: Develop and execute a technology roadmap that balances robust IT operations with forward-looking innovation. Identify and implement emerging tools (AI, data analytics, digital learning platforms) where they create measurable value for clients, staff, and faculty. Serve as a thought partner to program design and delivery teams in creating transformative, technology-enabled learning experiences.
  
  
• Infrastructure & Systems Management: Oversee enterprise IT systems—including Microsoft 365, CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce), data management systems, and collaboration tools—to ensure reliability, scalability, and seamless integration. Standardize practices and processes that drive operational efficiency and support growth. Ensure optimal uptime, user experience, and performance across all technology touchpoints.
  
  
• Cross-Functional Partnership & Enablement: Serve as a trusted business partner to internal teams by providing tools and processes to improve effectiveness and training and enablement that makes secure technology adoption intuitive and accessible. Act as a connector between operational needs and technology solutions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
  
  
• Leadership & Vendor Management: Lead and mentor IT and security professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous learning. Manage relationships with technology vendors and partners to maximize value, security, and performance. Advocate for responsible investment in technologies that drive innovation while protecting institutional resources.
  
  
• Innovation & Engagement: Embed compliance into technology initiatives (learning systems, CRM, program delivery). Collaborate with Kenan-Flagler IT to enable secure, compliant innovation, advocating for Executive Development needs while aligning with University standards. Communicate requirements effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.

Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)

• Governance & Policy: Develop and enforce security and data governance policies aligned with university standards and regulations. Direct data classification, protection, and custodial responsibilities and serve as Executive Development’s lead on security and compliance.
  
  
• Risk Management: Conduct risk assessments of systems, vendors, and cloud services. Oversee enterprise risk management and provide regular reporting. Develop mitigation strategies and maintain continuity/disaster recovery plans.
  
  
• Compliance: Ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and University standards. Manage audits, compliance reviews, and third-party assessments. Partner with University offices to protect research and student data. Deliver staff training on data protection and security.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success leading IT and digital transformation initiatives in dynamic, growth-oriented environments, with deep experience in enterprise IT systems, CRM platforms, cloud services, and security architectures, as well as proven familiarity with AI-enabled tools, advanced analytics, and digital learning technologies. They will bring an innovation mindset, balancing operational excellence with experimentation—evaluating and adopting emerging technologies that add measurable client and organizational value—along with cybersecurity and compliance mastery through a strong grounding in global data protection regulations and industry-leading security frameworks (GDPR, CCPA, NIST, ISO 27001). 

This candidate will excel in collaborative business partnering, building trust and influence across functional teams and translating business needs into technology solutions. They will have the ability to partner with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders in delivering secure, innovative technology solutions at scale. They will also have a strong record of operational excellence, maintaining secure, scalable, and reliable systems for complex, multi-stakeholder organizations. They will demonstrate outstanding communication and problem-solving skills, simplifying complexity, inspiring confidence, and driving adoption of future-proof solutions.

• 7–10 years of progressive IT leadership, with responsibilities spanning security, enterprise systems, and innovation; or equivalent experience preferred.
• Experience leading and managing in professional services, higher education, or learning-focused organizations preferred.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Job Type: Full-time

FLSA Status: Salaried, Exempt

Work Schedule: Hybrid (mix of in-office and remote work); some travel required

Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina — must be within commuting distance to office

Benefits:

• Group health, dental and vision plans
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match 
• Life & disability insurance provided and funded by the LLC
• Paid holidays and time-off 
• Paid parental leave
• Professional development opportunities

The Director of Technology, Innovation and Data Security is an employee of the Kenan-Flagler Business School Executive Education, LLC, an affiliated organization of UNC-Chapel Hill. This position is not a University or State of North Carolina position.

Applications will be accepted through October 10, 2025.

Kenan-Flagler Business School Executive Education, LLC is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran. EOE M/F/D/V.