The Vice President of Information Technology (VP of IT) is a critical leadership position charged with overseeing and managing all IT initiatives, encompassing both current operational infrastructure and new technology integrations across the organization's 17 locations. This role requires a hands-on, technically grounded leader who can direct technology strategy, ensure robust cybersecurity, and align IT systems with the organization's residential and operational goals.
Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the VP of IT serves as the technical expert on emerging technologies, infrastructure scalability, and daily operations, ensuring high availability, reliability, and performance across all technological platforms. The VP of IT needs to be an effective leader/manager of the IT Team. It is imperative that the VP of IT is an effective communicator, collaborator and keenly focused on how best the IT Department can meet the needs of CRF as well as those the organization serves.
As a key member of the management team, the VP of IT provides expert guidance and oversight across all technology-related functions—including infrastructure development, system architecture, cybersecurity, and operational management of IT services—ensuring that technical resources directly support organizational objectives in a multi-site shelter and housing environment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic IT Leadership and Operations Management
- Oversee and manage the development, execution, and continuous refinement of the organization's IT roadmap, ensuring that current infrastructure and new technology integrations evolve to meet operational needs across all sites.
- Provide technical leadership on evaluating, adopting, and integrating new technologies, driving operational efficiencies, and modernizing legacy systems.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the COO and executive leadership, offering technical insights, risk assessments, and recommendations on technology deployments.
Infrastructure, Integration, and Technology Optimization
- Direct the design, implementation, and management of a scalable, robust IT infrastructure and web infrastructure across multiple locations, ensuring high availability, seamless operation, and reliability.
- Spearhead technology integration projects, transitioning legacy systems to advanced platforms that enhance organizational capabilities and data security.
- Establish and enforce comprehensive data backup, redundancy systems, high-availability strategies (load balancing, failover), and disaster recovery plans to protect critical operations.
Project Oversight and Execution
- Oversee the full lifecycle of critical technology projects, from initial planning to deployment, ensuring they adhere to technical standards, timelines, and budgets.
- Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success, uptime, and impact of IT projects and daily support services.
- Review and approve technology implementations, application packages, and hardware upgrades to ensure technical compatibility and security alignment.
Cybersecurity and Compliance Governance
- Design, implement, and continuously refine an organization-wide cybersecurity framework protecting sensitive data, digital assets, and critical systems from evolving threats.
- Monitor systems, respond proactively to security incidents, conduct risk assessments, and oversee compliance efforts to ensure solutions adhere to legal, regulatory, and industry standards.
Team Leadership and Development
- Recruit, develop, and lead the IT team, ensuring staff possess the necessary technical resources, training, and development opportunities to support 500+ employees.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and technical growth, conducting performance reviews, mentorship, and directing day-to-day work assignments.
Vendor, Financial, and Stakeholder Management
- Oversee the development and management of the IT department’s annual budget, submitting recommendations to the COO while optimizing costs and tracking the ROI of technology initiatives.
- Establish and nurture relationships with technology vendors, negotiating contract terms, enforcing service-level agreements (SLAs), while working collaboratively with Finance and Procurement Department.
User-Centric Support and Innovation
- Champion user-centric IT services, ensuring systems, tools, and helpdesk support are responsive and effective for staff across all 17 sites.
- Lead digital transformation initiatives, integrating modern tools, data analytics, and workflow automation to improve decision-making and operational resilience.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or a strictly related technical field required (General business or MBA degrees do not fulfill the required technical foundation for this role).
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in software development, systems administration, or IT infrastructure, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership or management position.
- Non-profit industry experience preferred, with demonstrated experience managing IT operations and infrastructure in a residential, shelter, or multi-site human services environment.
- Proven track record in modernizing legacy systems, building out complex IT infrastructures from the ground up, and managing both in-house and outsourced solutions.
- Deep technical expertise in networking, communications, system platforms, database architecture, and enterprise cybersecurity frameworks.
- Strong leadership, team-building, and communication skills, with the ability to supervise staff, direct work assignments, conduct performance evaluations, and provide technical direction.
- Exceptional skills in project management, system analysis, software licensing negotiation, and risk mitigation.
- Proficient in standard productivity tools and IT management platforms.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS (including Physical Demands):
- May be required to work long hours and a varied schedule to oversee critical maintenance windows.
- Traveling throughout various locations in the New York City area across the 14 operational sites.
- Lifting and moving technical objects weighing up to 30 pounds several times a week.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EEO Statement – Children’s Rescue Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or a strictly related technical field
- At least 10 years of experience in software development, systems administration, or IT infrastructure
- At least 5 years of senior leadership or management experience
- Experience modernizing legacy systems and building complex IT infrastructures
- Experience managing in-house and outsourced technology solutions
- Deep expertise in networking, communications, system platforms, database architecture, and enterprise cybersecurity frameworks
- Strong leadership, team-building, communication, supervision, performance evaluation, and technical direction skills
- Project management, systems analysis, software licensing negotiation, and risk mitigation skills
- Proficiency with standard productivity tools and IT management platforms
- Nonprofit industry experience, particularly in residential, shelter, or multi-site human services environments
- Ability to work long hours and varied schedules during critical maintenance windows
- Ability to travel among operational locations in the New York City area
- Ability to lift and move technical objects weighing up to 30 pounds several times per week
What We Do
Children’s Rescue Fund is a New York City nonprofit serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness. It works to help clients achieve long-term stability and become self-sufficient by supporting transitions to permanent housing and connecting people with critical services, education, and skills. Its programs include onsite clinical and social work services, case management, advocacy, employment and job-readiness counseling, and assistance finding permanent housing, with particular attention to children's needs.
