Executive Director IT Security and Audit

JOB SUMMARY

The Executive Director will lead with a high-performance mindset, providing strategic direction and operational leadership that directly supports Houston ISD’s vision for student success and excellence. This role is accountable for delivering results aligned to district goals, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring the department operates efficiently and effectively in service of schools. The Executive Director will foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability, while building strong internal and external partnerships to achieve ambitious outcomes.
 

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1.    Strategic Leadership
•    Develop and execute a forward-looking vision and departmental goals that align with HISD’s districtwide mission to deliver high-quality instruction in every classroom, every day.
•    Collaborate with senior leaders, schools, and stakeholders to anticipate challenges and drive proactive strategies grounded in data and district priorities.
•    Lead innovative efforts and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure the department remains dynamic and results-driven.

2.    Operational Management
•    Ensure that departmental operations are executed with excellence, efficiency, and responsiveness to the needs of schools.
•    Design and implement streamlined systems, policies, and procedures to enable effective service delivery and eliminate barriers for campus teams.
•    Regularly review and assess performance data to drive informed decision-making and improve service outcomes.

3.    Budget and Resource Management
•    Strategically manage departmental budgets and resources, ensuring alignment with district priorities and financial stewardship.
•    Pursue cost-effective solutions while maintaining high standards of quality and service.
•    Cultivate partnerships and explore external funding opportunities that enhance departmental impact.

4.    Stakeholder Engagement
•    Act as a strong communicator and liaison to internal and external partners, fostering trust, transparency, and shared ownership of outcomes.
•    Represent the department publicly with professionalism, clarity, and a student-centered focus.
•    Proactively seek stakeholder input to continuously refine services and ensure alignment with district and community expectations.

5    Team Leadership and Development
•    Build and lead a high-performing team that models HISD’s values of excellence, accountability, and continuous growth.
•    Recruit and retain diverse talent, cultivating an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive.
•    Provide coaching, feedback, and professional development to support staff growth and achieve department goals.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

6.    Policy Development and Compliance
•    Ensure departmental policies are current, compliant, and clearly communicated to staff and stakeholders.
•    Stay informed of regulatory requirements and emerging best practices to proactively adapt department practices.
•    Uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, transparency, and legal compliance.
7.    Collaboration and Partnerships
•    Collaborate across departments and with external partners to deliver integrated, high-impact services in support of schools.
•    Identify and pursue collaborative opportunities that align with HISD’s transformation work and community needs.
•    Represent the department in cross-functional initiatives that advance the district’s strategic objectives.
8.    Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or relevant job expertise.    
 

WORK EXPERIENCE

Proven experience of at least 10 years in a leadership role, preferably in a related field or industry.     
 

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

•    Security Access Control: Proficiency in managing user access across applications using authentication protocols and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to ensure a least privilege approach 
•    Audit Compliance: Expertise in developing and implementing audit compliance strategies, including conducting regular audits, risk assessments, and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements 
•    Policy Development: Ability to create and maintain IT security policies and standards, including system and service acquisition, configuration management, and change management 
•    Incident Response: Experience in developing and executing incident response plans to address security breaches and vulnerabilities promptly 
•    Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Proficiency in disaster recovery planning and execution to ensure business continuity through robust backup and recovery solutions 
•    Security Training: Capability to develop and implement comprehensive security training programs for end users and IT practitioners, including tracking and reporting on training completion 
•    System Monitoring and Reporting: Expertise in using monitoring tools to track system performance, identify security threats, and generate detailed reports for compliance purposes 
•    Project Management: Proven ability to lead and manage large-scale IT security projects, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with business goals 
•    Communication: Excellent communication skills to collaborate with stakeholders, manage public relations, and ensure effective cross-functional coordination 
 

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Directs two or more levels of management deploying ongoing key initiatives covering multiple areas of discipline with direct accountability for results in terms of effectiveness, costs, methods, and employees. Establishes achievement objectives and assignments for multiple disciplines/functional areas and possibly departments. Evaluates recommendations of others, deciding on course of action in ambiguous situations, and oversees the deployment of innovative solutions. Collaborates with senior leadership to develop strategies and broad departmental objectives; establishes methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for projects, programs and people in the achievement of strategic objectives.     
 

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.
 

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Advises on budget development for department.    
 

PROBLEM SOLVING

Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas. May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.
 

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Decisions have moderate impact on the facility/department or division, causing increased satisfaction or dissatisfaction; producing efficiencies or delays; promoting or inhibiting personal intellectual or professional development; and/or contributing to financial gain or expense. Errors may be serious, usually not subject to direct verification or check, causing losses such as improper cost calculations, overpayment or improper utilization of labor, materials or equipment. Effect usually confined to the district itself and is short term.    
 

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Negotiate and influence - interpret department strategies and services, resolve conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conduct final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions include schools, non-school departments, central office, senior, and executive management.    
 

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Leads others in the resolution of highly sensitive and confidential issues on behalf of the department. Acts as a trusted advisor and becomes involved in the customer's decision-making process including presenting alternatives and information and applying persuasion and negotiation skills in the resolution of problems. Monitors customer service standards.    
 

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements. Ability to carry and/or lift less than 15 pounds