Executive Director - Student and Instructional Technology Services

JOB SUMMARY

The Executive Director – Student and Instructional Technology Services provides strategic leadership and oversight of the district’s technology platforms and support systems that directly impact students, teachers, and instructional outcomes. This includes the student information system (SIS), learning management systems (LMS), gradebooks, attendance, special populations systems, transportation data systems, and instructional reporting tools. The Executive Director oversees teams responsible for both integration of student systems and operational continuity (e.g., rollovers, reporting, academic calendars, SPED compliance). This role ensures all systems are stable, data-driven, user-friendly, and aligned with HISD’s instructional mission and compliance needs.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic direction and operational leadership for all student facing technology platforms and services.
• Oversee the district's SIS, LMS integrations, special pupylation systems (SPED, 504) and instructional technology operations.
• Lead the Student Technology team responsible for system rollovers, course setup, grading periods, and instructional configurations.
• Manage system integration for transportation, parent portals, state reporting and third-party instructional tools.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

• Coordinate with Academics, Special Education and School Leadership to ensure systems reflect program requirements.
• Direct teams supporting year end transition, school setup, schedule building and compliance workflows.
• Establish priorities and metrics to ensure user satisfaction, data integrity and system uptime.
• Supervise directors, engineers, architects and analysts across multiple student technology functions.
• Collaborate with Security, SIS Vendors and IT to ensure FERPA and other privacy compliance.
• Represent student technology functions in executive conversations, state initiatives and platform decisions
• Perform other job related duties assigned.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred in education, information systems, public administration, or a related field.    

WORK EXPERIENCE

At least 8–10 years of progressively responsible leadership in educational technology, SIS/LMS support, or academic IT operations. Experience with K–12 student systems and large-scale change management is required.    

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

• Expertise in student information systems, instructional tools, and compliance platforms
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills
• Deep understanding of instructional operations and academic reporting needs
• Knowledge of FERPA, SPED data requirements, and instructional calendars
• Familiarity with integration platforms and system workflows
• Excellent presentation and cross-functional stakeholder skills
• Experience with vendor management and cross-system configuration planning

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Leads multiple director-level staff across student systems and integration teams. Sets vision, priorities, and performance goals for instructional technology support operations.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Oversees complex technical systems with deep connections to instructional outcomes and compliance. Makes executive decisions about platform priorities and data governance.

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Manages operating budgets for student-facing systems, vendor contracts, and platform tools. Participates in capital planning and project budgeting.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Resolves instructional technology issues, platform limitations, and operational challenges that impact tens of thousands of users. Aligns competing needs into shared technical solutions.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Directly affects SIS data accuracy, student progress reporting, and operational readiness of every campus. Impacts compliance with state and federal reporting.    

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Frequently communicates with Academic leadership, SPED, state compliance teams, school principals, and SIS vendors.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Serves as primary executive for campus-facing technology teams. Advocates for teacher, school, and student experience across technical platforms.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Office-based with frequent cross-campus coordination. May require extended hours during scheduling, rollover, or state reporting windows.