Company
OU Education Services (OUES) is a nonprofit corporation established to manage and expand online learning for the University of Oklahoma System. As a growing education technology organization, they are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that enhance learning outcomes, improve student experiences, and support the university’s mission of providing high-quality education to learners everywhere.
Opportunity
Reporting directly to the CEO, the Senior Director of IT will be a strategic leader responsible for shaping and executing the organization’s technology vision to support academic and operational excellence. This individual will oversee all aspects of IT infrastructure, systems integration, data architecture, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions, ensuring the scalability and security of OUES’s technology ecosystem. They will lead the development and implementation of a multi-year technology roadmap that aligns with business growth, enables data-driven insights, and lays the foundation for future innovation across the student lifecycle.
Primary responsibilities:
Infrastructure & Scalability
- Establish and maintain a secure, scalable IT infrastructure and systems to support the organization’s rapid growth and distributed workforce
Technology Strategy & Roadmap
- Develop and execute a comprehensive multi-year technology roadmap that aligns with business goals and growth trajectory — including the implementation of a next-generation data and analytics strategy, modernized ERP systems (CRM, SIS, LMS), and a future-proof infrastructure to support both current and projected growth
- Lead CRM and systems transitions to ensure core platforms (e.g., CRM, marketing automation, student information) are unified, integrated, and optimized for efficiency and scalability
Systems Integration & Student Experience
- Oversee the migration and integration of systems and data between OUES and its university partners to ensure a seamless student experience
Cybersecurity & Data Governance
- Evaluate and implement cybersecurity measures and data governance practices to protect sensitive student and organizational information
- Ensure compliance with relevant data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, FERPA, HIPPA, etc.)
Data & Analytics Enablement
- Establish the data architecture and cloud solutions that form the foundation for analytics and future innovation.
Operations, Vendor & Budget Management
- Manage IT operations, including hardware/software procurement, vendor management, deployment, and support for a distributed, technology-enabled workforce
- Partner cross-functionally with teams such as marketing and finance to align technology solutions with business goals and budget priorities
- Manage relationships with IT vendors, negotiate contracts, and ensure service level agreements (SLAs) are met
- Define, track, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for IT services and operations (e.g., uptime, response times, project delivery rates, security incidents, budget adherence) to ensure transparency, efficiency, and continuous improvement
Innovation & Automation
- Explore automation and emerging technologies that improve efficiency and enhance user experience
Ideal Candidate
You are a hands-on, strategic technology leader who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment. You bring both vision and execution—able to build and scale systems while managing day-to-day operations with excellence. You take a highly cross-functional approach, working closely with leaders across marketing, operations, finance, and academics to ensure technology decisions align with business priorities. You’re comfortable making informed decisions and evaluating tradeoffs, balancing technical possibilities with organizational needs. Above all, you view technology not as a support function, but as a strategic driver of growth, efficiency, and student success.
You should have the following experiences and skill sets:
- Significant experience managing technology infrastructure and operations for a customer-facing, high-growth organization, preferably in the education/EdTech space
- Expertise in evaluating, implementing, and integrating CRM systems, with the ability to scale platforms to support large and complex customer data sets
- Working knowledge of cybersecurity, risk management, and data privacy regulations, with the ability to implement appropriate security and compliance practices
- Demonstrated experience in data strategy, governance, and analytics initiatives that enable insight and decision-making across systems and teams
- Strong background in architecting and implementing secure, scalable technology solutions for a distributed workforce
- Hands-on technical skills to troubleshoot and support end-user IT needs while also driving strategic technology initiatives
- Proven track record of leading cross-functional technology initiatives and collaborating effectively with stakeholders across the organization
- Agile project management experience and a mindset to thrive in a fast-paced, startup-like environment
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills to navigate complex university partnerships and internal stakeholder relationships
Learn More
The Knowledge Leaders search process is thorough and may include: a written assessment, multiple interviews (recorded and in person), background and social media checks, employment and education verifications, a drug screen, and professional reference checking. After all, our mission is to transform education by recruiting the best world leaders.
Submit your resume to Heather Phillips at Knowledge Leaders.
Knowledge Leaders, LLC provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and candidates for employment. Knowledge Leaders, LLC prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
