Director of Technology Services Operations

Director of Technology Services Operations
Location: Hybrid | Minneapolis, MN, Eau Claire, WI, or surrounding areas

Are you ready to lead technology operations that power innovative products? RW Thrive – a growing, employee-owned company – is hiring a Director of Technology Services Operations to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our technology solutions.

About RW Thrive
RW Thrive is the parent organization of two impactful educational companies: Realityworks, known for experiential learning tools used in classrooms worldwide, and BirdBrain Technologies, a leader in creative robotics education. While RW Thrive may be new to your radar, our brands are well-established in education and innovation. Together, we are committed to equipping learners and educators with the tools they need to thrive in today’s world.

What You'll Do
 Join us as a key technology leader driving innovation and operational excellence. In this role, you will oversee product-focused technology solutions—from cloud services and distributed applications to customer-facing platforms. Creatively lead initiatives that transform ideas into production-ready solutions, drive and promote DevOps best practices, and ensure compliance with industry-specific standards.

As a strategic partner to senior leadership, you will shape new technology-enabled and embedded products, ensure efficient transition of solutions from concept to production phases, and manage high-impact projects that align with business goals. Foster an agile, collaborative culture across cross-functional teams, empowering innovation and continuous improvement.

If you’re passionate about leading technology transformation, building scalable solutions, and inspiring teams to deliver exceptional products, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on how we deliver technology to our customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads and scales product technology service operations, including DevOps, Cloud service KPI’s and security/compliance automation, auditing and policy implementation and publishing  
• Helps lead and support software and solution design organizational structures and frameworks (e.g., Agile, SAFe, Lean) that drive efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement
• Intersects and assists with over-seeing software development activities and cloud infrastructure services deployment, to ensure enforcement of standards, and good operating processes through the lifecycle of all tech products
• Ensures performance, reliability, security, compliance, and privacy requirements are met and managed proactively
• Drives achieving and publishing standards required for software and cloud services consumed by customers, aligned to industry and common frameworks (e.g., ISO27001, SOC2, PCI, HIPAA, GDPR, FERPA, COPPA, WCAG). 
• Champion agile project management, DevOps automation (CI/CD, infrastructure as code), and standardized SDLC processes to accelerate delivery and maintains budgetary guardrails
• Collaborates, leads and mentors high-performing cross functional teams, fostering professional growth and aligning team objectives with organizational goals
• Builds and manages budgets, vendor relationships, and strategic partnerships to maximize ROI and operational effectiveness
• Participates in establishing cloud services strategies (e.g., Azure, AWS), business continuity, and disaster recovery planning
• Establishes and monitors key performance and scaling indicators (KPIs) for operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and product quality 
• Participates in product technology transformation initiatives; including solution modernization, technical debt reduction, and adoption of emerging technologies (e.g., AI integrations)
• Acts as key liaison for escalations and prioritizations of focus around technology enabled product development and operations

What We’re Looking For

• 10 years of progressive technology leadership experience, including direct oversight of DevOps, IT operations, and software engineering teams
• Demonstrated success in scaling solutions and operations in high-growth SaaS and distributed computer solutions
• Deep expertise in agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe), DevOps frameworks, and digital transformation
• Proven ability to deliver measurable results, such as increased revenue, improved uptime, and successful compliance certifications
• Solid understanding in systems architecture, cloud infrastructure, automation, and security best practices
• Experience managing budgets, complex projects, and collaborating with cross-functional teams
• Excellent communication, coaching, and stakeholder management skills
• Relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, SAFe Agilist, CSM, CSPO) are highly desirable

Why Join Us?

When you join RW Thrive, you become a co-owner in a company that values your contributions and rewards your success. Our employee-centered culture is built on collaboration, innovation, and shared achievement.

We offer a robust benefits package, including:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): 100% company-funded and designed to grow in value as we succeed together
• Health, Dental, and Life Insurance: Comprehensive coverage to support your well-being
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: With company match up to 6%
• Generous Paid Time Off: Over 20 days annually, plus 10 paid holidays
• Wellness Incentives: Gym reimbursement and healthy living rewards
• Family-Friendly Benefits: Paid maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Including dependent care coverage
• Disability Coverage: Long-term and short-term
• Education Support: Tuition assistance for continued learning
• Community Engagement: Paid volunteer time and donation matching

The expected compensation range for this position is $133,502 - $166,877 annually. 

The full compensation range for this position is $133,502 - $200,253 annually. The full range reflects compensation RW Thrive may consider for candidates with advanced experience or skills beyond the qualifications listed. 

Apply Today
 Bring your passion for technology and innovation to a company making a difference in classrooms around the world. Submit your resume and cover letter to be considered.

RW Thrive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.