Position Summary
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) provides strategic leadership, vision, and management of all technology initiatives across the organization. The CTO ensures that technology systems, data practices, and digital infrastructure advance the institution's mission, organizational efficiency, and long-term sustainability. This role partners closely with all divisions of the organization to support core functions including but not limited to; fundraising, donor engagement, ticket sales, and audit/compliance reporting. This position will supervise the Director of Technology Infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Provide thought leadership on digital transformation, data governance, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies relevant to nonprofits and cultural institutions.
- Work with the executive team to ensure technology supports growth and innovation.
Technology Operations & Infrastructure
- Oversee the maintenance, security, and performance of all IT systems, networks, and hardware to ensure reliability across the entire organization.
- Lead enterprise-wide upgrades, cloud migrations, and modernization efforts to improve efficiency and reduce technical debt.
- Establish and enforce cybersecurity protocols, data protection policies, disaster recovery planning, and compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., PCI-DSS for ticketing and donations, NY privacy laws).
Team Leadership & Project Management
- Manage, mentor, and develop the IT department, building a strong service-oriented culture with clear priorities and accountability.
- Create project management structures to ensure timely and successful delivery of technology initiatives.
- Foster cross-departmental collaboration and build strong working relationships with internal stakeholders.
Fundraising & Ticketing Systems
- Oversee technology platforms that support fundraising, ticket sales, membership, and donor stewardship (e.g., CRM, ticketing platforms, payment processing).
- Ensure seamless integration and data flow between systems used by Development, Finance, and Marketing.
- Partner with leadership to optimize donor data practices, reporting, segmentation, and digital fundraising capabilities.
Digital Engagement & Innovation
- Support digital initiatives such as online ticketing, web platforms, mobile experiences, virtual programming, and digital accessibility tools.
- Identify opportunities to enhance patron engagement and improve the customer journey through technology.
- Stay current with trends in digital user experience, cultural institution technology, and nonprofit enterprise tools.
Vendor & Budget Management
- Manage relationships with external vendors, consultants, and managed service providers.
- Develop and oversee the IT budget, ensuring cost-effective decision-making and transparency.
- Negotiate contracts, service-level agreements, and technology purchases.
Qualifications:
- Ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience in IT, including at least 8 years managing diverse teams.
- Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree in computer science, information systems, cybersecurity, or a related field preferred.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to simplify complexity and make informed decisions.
- Comfortable navigating change and leading teams through growth and transformation.
- Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach to leadership; with the ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on operational management.
- Experience in nonprofit, cultural, or mission-driven organizations strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated success overseeing enterprise systems in multi-department organizations of similar size.
- Expertise in CRM and ticketing systems (e.g., Tessitura, Salesforce, Blackbaud, or equivalent).
- Strong background in IT operations, cloud environments, data governance, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.
- Deep understanding of cybersecurity frameworks, standards, and best practices; Demonstrated ability to design and implement cybersecurity policies, training programs, and risk-mitigation strategies.
- Experience with threat detection, vulnerability management, and incident response planning.
- Knowledge of identity and access management (IAM), multi-factor authentication, and endpoint security.
- Hands-on experience with security monitoring tools, SIEM solutions, encryption, and network security architecture.
- Familiarity with compliance requirements including PCI-DSS, data privacy laws, and safeguarding payment and donor information.
- Empathetic leader who builds trust and fosters inclusivity.
Other Duties:
Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
