KPBS Director of Information Technology - San Diego State University Research Foundation

The salary range for this position is $147,000 - $154,500 per year ($12,250 - $12,875 per month) depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable. 

This position is open until filled, with first review of candidates to start January 6, 2025.

KPBS serves the greater San Diego community with informative, cultural, entertaining and educational television, radio, and digital programming.  KPBS TV/FM is the public television and radio station for San Diego.  Licensed to San Diego State University, KPBS supports and furthers the university’s educational and community service mission by informing, enlightening and empowering its audience.  It does so not only by presenting national and locally produced programming of value to its San Diego audience, but also by producing programming about San Diego and its people for distribution nationwide.

Overseeing the IT staff housed within the KPBS Operations and Technology Division, the IT department provides the information technology infrastructure to a diverse group of staff in a variety of work functions, ranging from reporters who measure their deadlines in seconds to departments working on long-term strategies. The IT Department is expected to consistently deliver excellent and timely customer service.

Perks you'll enjoy as a member of #teamKPBS

• Working on a college campus & in public media: Access to campus facilities and staff perks, farmer's market Tuesday's, tons of eateries, community events, entertainment, etc.
• Hybrid schedule/ remote work flexibility options (varies by job)
• 24 vacation days, 1 personal day & 13 holidays off (4+ days off over winter break)
• Enjoy a 'beautiful day in the neighborhood' with local employee discounts
• Opportunity drawings to attend SDSU basketball games, local concerts and events
• Discounts on local attractions (theme parks, entertainment, restaurants, memberships)
• Free wellness classes & programs
• Monthly pop-up events
• Full benefits packages that are unmatched (medical, dental, vision, life)
• Sick leave accruals and paid leave options
• On-site childcare at a discounted rate (based on availability)
• Opportunities for continued learning and professional development
• Flexible spending account(s)
• Employee assistance program
• Matching and voluntary retirement savings plan

Under the direction of the Chief Technology Officer, the Director of Information Technology is responsible for the strategic leadership, direction, and supervision of the IT staff and the IT technical infrastructure used throughout KPBS. This includes but is not limited to, the enterprise LAN, enterprise NAS, enterprise VM cluster, IT security, email, conference room technology, physical building technical area access, desktop computer orchestration, updates and data backups, as well as enterprise-wide software systems implementation and integration.

This role is expected to keep abreast of and implement current and upcoming best practices from applicable technology and media industries, including setting and executing departmental priorities to manage and develop IT policies and procedures plus those for architecture, security, disaster recovery, purchasing, and service provisions. The Director is also expected to partner and engage with IT staff and other leaders from San Diego State University (SDSU) and the SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF).

The Director of Information Technology is responsible for, but is not limited to:

Information Technology and Security Operations 65%

Security

• Responsible for KPBS IT security and managing vendor-provided endpoint detection and response software and security operations center.  
• Maintain the highest standard of IT security both internal to KPBS and the external environment through regular staff training and coordination with SDSU IT, SDSURF, and external entities and vendors.

Compliance

• Ensure that KPBS is in compliance with all California State University, SDSU, and SDSURF IT policies, particularly for security and PCI compliance.  
• Coordinate and prepare annual PCI compliance reporting and maintain and support CIS compliance, hardening, and benchmarks.

Technology Expertise

• Work with all KPBS departments to evaluate and select the best technology solutions to meet current and anticipated business needs. 
• Develop specifications and requirements for the optimal integration and implementation of systems. 
• Keep abreast of and implement current best practices and technologies.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for changing industry trends, developments in evolving technologies, including software and hardware technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
• Act as primary point of contact with various third-party technology vendors and SDSU and SDSURF personnel and provide IT audit representation. 
• In collaboration with the Director of Digital, Director of Engineering and Operations and Help Desk Manager, evaluate and select technology solutions to best meet business needs.

Technical Infrastructure Management

• Serve as project manager for new and replacement technology deployments.
• Evaluate, implement, debug and maintain integration with various third-party applications and service providers for interactive, enterprise or broadcast operations.
• Manage all server support, virtualization, maintenance, updates, administration and configuration, server architectural design, procurement and installation.
• Coordinate activities with the KPBS Director of Engineering and Operations on related matters.  
  

Leadership & Management 30%

• Lead the assessment of current and future IT needs and plan for resources, including staff expertise and organization, needed to support KPBS.
• Supervise and provide overall management guidance and support to the Systems Administrator and Help Desk Manager.
• Manage hiring, onboarding, training, workflows, and tasks for IT staff.
• Partner with Management Council and Leadership teams to implement organizational goals.
• Initiate and oversee department staff planning at the direction of the CTO.
• Partner and coordinate with People & Culture for all onboarding/offboarding technology needs, employee personnel matters, access to IT/electronic equipment, asset management, etc. 
• Lend technical expertise and assistance to various departments and personnel when and where needed.
• Act as the final point of escalation for all IT Technology issues.
• Lead and provide IT-related trainings, workshops, and updates as needed.

Budgetary Oversight 

• Accomplish financial objectives by working closely with the KPBS Finance and Accounting department.
• Forecast requirements through preparation of annual IT budget.
• Lead strategic planning and budgeting effort for the unit; Initiate corrective action on budget variances, where appropriate.
• In alignment with budgetary requirements, prepare computer leases and coordinate computer refresh cycles.
• Attend Capital Expense Committee meetings.
• Maintain credit card access terminals and ensure PCI compliance.
• Engage vendors and assess and replace vendors when needed; negotiate pricing and bids for projects, collect financing terms for CFO and execute vendor risk assessments.
• Conduct Technology Acquisition Reviews Process (TARP) reviews.
• Make recommendations and present solutions for IT to Management Council in alignment with strategic goals and annual budgets.  

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned 5%

• Provide resources for back-up services for IT as needed.
• Assist Management Council and Leadership Team with various projects, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities 

• Ability to advocate for the user experience.
• Ability to convey technical issues and recommendations to non-technical users at all levels of an organization
• Demonstrated attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines under pressure and deal effectively with simultaneous multiple tasks.
• Ability to work in an often-stressful environment and under the constraints of a limited budget and rigid deadlines.
• Ability to follow directions and be guided by the organization’s strategic plan.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• In depth knowledge of computer hardware, software, operating systems, networking and security for Windows and Unix/Linux based computers, including installing, configuring and administering the following: VMware 5.5, 6.5U1 and up, ONTAP 9.1 and up, HPE Gen 7, 8, 9 and 10 servers, HPE iLo Advanced, Veeam 9.5 Backup Software, Synology NAS arrays, Windows 2008R2, 2012R2 and 2016, Microsoft based LAN administration, VMWare administration, NetApp administration.
• In depth knowledge and diagnostic proficiency with the following principles/concepts: Network switches and routers, network firewalls, intrusion prevention and detection, user security education, high level of proficiency with storage within a virtual environment, complex network environments, strong Fibre Channel concepts, strong iSCSI Concepts, strong NAS Concepts, strong Backup RPO/RTO Concepts.
• Possess a working knowledge of artificial intelligence software and technology.
• Ability to interact effectively with co-workers, vendors and University personnel.
• Ability to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures.
• Ability to be discreet with confidential information.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Possess excellent project management skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prioritize and be well organized; possesses good judgment and common sense.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of artificial intelligence software and technology and its applications in a media environment
• Demonstrated leadership experience

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science or related field. Additional experience can be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Minimum Experience

• Six years of related experience managing all aspects of Information Technology.

Additional Applicant Information

• Candidates must reside in California, or be willing to relocate, and live within a commutable distance to the SDSU campus at the time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results (including a criminal record check). 
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets/Title IX Employer