What are the responsibilities and job description for the IT Director position at State of Wisconsin?
Introduction
The Wisconsin Historical Society, considered one of the nation's finest historical institutions, is a State of Wisconsin government agency as well as a mission-driven entrepreneurial organization. The Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS), founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. At its core, WHS believes that increasing the public's knowledge of history has profound societal, cultural, and economic benefit. Its library, archives and collections, historic sites and museums, historic preservation office, and extensive educational programs and community outreach are focused on our vision to enrich and transform lives through unparalleled access to history. Click here for more information about WHS' mission, vision, and core values.
WHS is committed to being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization because we truly believe this is the most effective way to attract, engage, and retain the best talent and the most meaningful way to support our mission.
Click here for more information about working for WHS.
Position Summary
The Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) IT Director is responsible for developing and executing the Agency’s IT strategy, ensuring alignment with WHS business goals, and delivering secure, reliable, and cost-effective technology services.
The Director collaborates with administrators, division leaders, and state partners to support agency operations and long-range planning. Key responsibilities include overseeing IT operations, application management, infrastructure, information security, procurement and lifecycle management, contractor relationships, and user support. The role ensures incident response readiness, data security, and compliance with state and federal standards.
This position manages IT staff, contractors, and service providers while coordinating closely with the Project Management Office, Innovation Lead, and Data Program Officer. The Director promotes continuous improvement, manages the technology budget, and provides technical leadership and counsel across WHS.
The role also serves as WHS’s primary liaison with the Department of Administration’s Division of Enterprise Technology (DET) and represents WHS on enterprise IT councils, committees, and task forces.
Salary Information
The salary will be between $50.00-$63.94 per hour plus excellent benefits. Pay on appointment for current or former state employees may vary according to the applicable pay provisions found in the Wisconsin State Compensation Plan. This Management Information Chief position is in pay schedule 70, range 02. A 2-year Career Executive trial period will be required.
Visit this link for a calculator of State of Wisconsin benefits: https://dpm.wi.gov/Pages/Employees/RewardsCalculator.aspx
Job Details
A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment to determine if the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job.
Interested permanent classified state employees should complete this application process to apply.
WHS does not sponsor work visas. Any appointment made will be contingent on the applicant being able to prove valid status to work in the United States.
Certain positions within WHS may allow remote/work from home flexibility for a portion of their work schedule, depending on the needs of the position and the work unit. This topic and any remote work flexibility that may be available will be discussed in more detail in the interview process.
Qualifications
Please make sure to describe the following qualifications within your resume and/or letter of qualifications in order to be considered for this position.
Minimally qualified candidate will have experience in all of the following:
To apply, click “Apply for Job” to start the application process. Then, you will access your existing account or to create a new account if you don’t have an account. Once you are logged in, click “Apply for Job.” Follow the steps outlined in the application process and submit your application.
Your letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications for your application and what should be included in these materials, click here for resume and letter of qualifications instructions..
Submitted materials will be evaluated and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the hiring process.
WHS is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA , and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.
Questions may be directed to jan.zadra@wisconsinhistory.org. or (608) 264-6409.
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions for general wisc.jobs user information and technical assistance.
Deadline to Apply
Applications are due at 11:59PM on April 13, 2026.
The Wisconsin Historical Society, considered one of the nation's finest historical institutions, is a State of Wisconsin government agency as well as a mission-driven entrepreneurial organization. The Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS), founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. At its core, WHS believes that increasing the public's knowledge of history has profound societal, cultural, and economic benefit. Its library, archives and collections, historic sites and museums, historic preservation office, and extensive educational programs and community outreach are focused on our vision to enrich and transform lives through unparalleled access to history. Click here for more information about WHS' mission, vision, and core values.
WHS is committed to being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization because we truly believe this is the most effective way to attract, engage, and retain the best talent and the most meaningful way to support our mission.
Click here for more information about working for WHS.
Position Summary
The Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) IT Director is responsible for developing and executing the Agency’s IT strategy, ensuring alignment with WHS business goals, and delivering secure, reliable, and cost-effective technology services.
The Director collaborates with administrators, division leaders, and state partners to support agency operations and long-range planning. Key responsibilities include overseeing IT operations, application management, infrastructure, information security, procurement and lifecycle management, contractor relationships, and user support. The role ensures incident response readiness, data security, and compliance with state and federal standards.
This position manages IT staff, contractors, and service providers while coordinating closely with the Project Management Office, Innovation Lead, and Data Program Officer. The Director promotes continuous improvement, manages the technology budget, and provides technical leadership and counsel across WHS.
The role also serves as WHS’s primary liaison with the Department of Administration’s Division of Enterprise Technology (DET) and represents WHS on enterprise IT councils, committees, and task forces.
Salary Information
The salary will be between $50.00-$63.94 per hour plus excellent benefits. Pay on appointment for current or former state employees may vary according to the applicable pay provisions found in the Wisconsin State Compensation Plan. This Management Information Chief position is in pay schedule 70, range 02. A 2-year Career Executive trial period will be required.
Visit this link for a calculator of State of Wisconsin benefits: https://dpm.wi.gov/Pages/Employees/RewardsCalculator.aspx
Job Details
A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment to determine if the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job.
Interested permanent classified state employees should complete this application process to apply.
WHS does not sponsor work visas. Any appointment made will be contingent on the applicant being able to prove valid status to work in the United States.
Certain positions within WHS may allow remote/work from home flexibility for a portion of their work schedule, depending on the needs of the position and the work unit. This topic and any remote work flexibility that may be available will be discussed in more detail in the interview process.
Qualifications
Please make sure to describe the following qualifications within your resume and/or letter of qualifications in order to be considered for this position.
Minimally qualified candidate will have experience in all of the following:
- Supervising IT staff in an operational or project-based setting (e.g. creating work plans for staff, hiring and training staff, evaluating staff performance, establishing daily goals and tasks, overseeing employment functions)
- Developing and implementing IT plans, strategies, or operational processes
- Managing IT operations such as infrastructure, user support, or applications
- Accountability for an organization’s IT security policy and risk management practices
- Ability to communicate technical issues or topics clearly to non-technical and executive audiences
- Collaborating with Facilities or Construction representatives on major building projects involving IT infrastructure or systems.
- Experience representing an organization on enterprise, statewide, or national IT councils, committees, or task forces
- Supervisory experience managing IT staff (not a lead worker) within the public sector or a large, complex organization
- Proven record of leading IT strategic planning that aligns technology with enterprise or organizational goals
- Experience managing vendor relationships for IT services or solutions, including vendor negotiations and contract management
- Demonstrated success in overseeing information security programs, vulnerability management, and compliance with state/federal/PCI DSS regulations
- Experience managing IT environments for a cultural heritage institution
To apply, click “Apply for Job” to start the application process. Then, you will access your existing account or to create a new account if you don’t have an account. Once you are logged in, click “Apply for Job.” Follow the steps outlined in the application process and submit your application.
Your letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications for your application and what should be included in these materials, click here for resume and letter of qualifications instructions..
Submitted materials will be evaluated and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the hiring process.
WHS is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA , and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.
Questions may be directed to jan.zadra@wisconsinhistory.org. or (608) 264-6409.
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions for general wisc.jobs user information and technical assistance.
Deadline to Apply
Applications are due at 11:59PM on April 13, 2026.
Salary : $50 - $64