Executive Director, Technology Operations

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Executive Director of Technology Operations to oversee and drive operational excellence across technology initiatives. This role will be pivotal in ensuring seamless client implementations, fostering internal collaboration, and ensuring project milestones are met on time and within budget. The ideal candidate is an exceptional communicator and a hands-on leader, ready to tackle challenges and drive solutions to ensure project success.

This role reports to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and is based in Chicago, IL. Everspring follows a hybrid work model, requiring this role to be in the office at least three days per week, with additional in-office days as needed based on business demands.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

Collaborate with the CTO to develop and implement technology operations strategies aligned with company goals.
Lead cross-functional teams to drive technology initiatives, ensuring alignment across departments.
Partner with the CTO to architect and implement a comprehensive technology operations strategy aligned with organizational objectives and industry best practices
Lead digital transformation initiatives that modernize legacy systems and create scalable technology foundations for future growth
Create and execute multi-year technology roadmaps with clear milestones, dependencies, and success metrics
Establish governance frameworks that ensure technology decisions support business priorities while maintaining operational integrity

Client & Stakeholder Management:

Serve as the primary point of contact for client-facing technology operations.
Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure project success.
Serve as the primary technology operations contact for clients, building trust through exceptional service
Provide clear direction, communication, and support to internal and external stakeholders
Cultivate strong relationships to ensure project success and client satisfaction

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Serve as the strategic liaison between technology operations and business units, translating business requirements into technology solutions
Foster deep relationships with IT security, software development, infrastructure, and business unit stakeholders
Lead cross-functional initiatives that require coordination across multiple technology disciplines and business domains
Facilitate executive-level communication regarding technology operations, performance metrics, and strategic initiatives
Establish frameworks for joint problem-solving that leverage diverse expertise to address complex operational challenges

Service Delivery Excellence

Ensure IT services meet the needs and expectations of both internal and external customers
Oversee the implementation and management of service level agreements (SLAs)
Establish robust metrics and KPIs to measure service quality, operational efficiency, partner and functional satisfaction
Continuously monitor and improve service quality through data-driven assessment
Deploy proactive monitoring solutions that identify potential service disruptions before they impact business operations
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand user requirements and translate them into effective IT solutions

Vendor Management

Establish strategic relationships with key technology vendors, and service providers
Negotiate agreements that optimize value, minimize costs, and ensure service quality
Implement vendor governance frameworks that ensure accountability and performance
Develop contingency plans that minimize dependency risks for critical vendor relationships

Operational Excellence:

Oversee day-to-day technology operations ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, and scalability
Identify process improvements and implement solutions to enhance productivity and service delivery
Manage project timelines, budgets, and resource allocations to ensure timely delivery

Problem-Solving & Innovation:

Address operational challenges proactively, offering solutions that balance business needs with technical capabilities
Stay updated with emerging technologies to integrate innovative solutions that drive efficiency

Team Leadership:

Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and customer-centricity.
Collaborate with other department heads to align product initiatives with overall business objectives
Lead a high-performing team of product support specialists

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Business, Computer Science, or related field
7-10+ years of experience in technology operations or project management, with at least 5 years in a dynamic leadership role
Proven track record of successfully launching and managing complex projects
Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
Ability to think strategically and translate vision into actionable plans
Experience with data-driven decision making and analytics tools
Experience with SalesForce, Tableau, Confluence toolkit, CMS systems, and project planning tools preferred
Experience in higher education is preferred

About Everspring

Everspring is a leading provider of education technology and service solutions. Our advanced technology, proven marketing approach, research-based instructional design services, and robust faculty support deliver outstanding outcomes for our university partners, powering their success online. Everspring offers a range of full-service turnkey solutions, as well as standalone single service offerings, and innovative self-service products that enable universities to establish and maintain themselves as leaders in the digital delivery of education.

Based in Chicago, Everspring serves a growing number of colleges and universities. Built In Chicago has named us one of the "Best Places to Work" in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. We were also certified as a Great Place To Work® in 2022, 2023 and 2025. We offer benefits that include hybrid work arrangement, parental leave, health insurance, FSA, HSA dental, short-term and long-term disability, 401k with an employer match vested immediately, a generous PTO plan that accrues with tenure, professional development, paid parental leave program, tuition reimbursement program, pet insurance and more!

EEO Note:

Everspring is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Everspring makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.