Director of Information Technology

Location: Washington DC

Job Summary:  The Director of Information Technology (Director, IT) is primarily responsible for developing and executing a robust IT strategy and roadmap for Grameen Foundation USA and all of its international branch offices and subsidiaries to achieve stated business objectives.  The Director, IT will work to ensure that GF’s enterprise information and communication systems provide a strong return on investment and ultimately serve to enable a global workforce to achieve the organization’s double bottom line objectives.  Responsibilities include leading the development and execution of strategic and annual plans for the IT department,  ensuring GF’s software, peripheral and back-end infrastructure are optimally configured to support the global information; knowledge management; communication; and collaboration needs of Grameen Foundation.

Reporting:  The Director, IT will report to the Chief of Staff/Chief Strategy Officer, and manage the staff of the IT Department. 

Availability:  The Director, IT is expected to work a standard work week of 37.5 hours plus additional hours as necessary to get the job done.  The position will require 10-15% travel within the US and abroad, as needed.

Essential Job Functions:
•    Owns and drives the strategic planning of information and communication technology systems for Grameen, evaluating emerging needs across the organization, and planning, coordinating and executing IT resources to support those needs
•    Responsible for executing GFs information and communications technology strategy
•    Serve as the organization’s IT expert, providing direction and recommendations on which technology solutions are sound investments for GF to achieve its double bottom line objectives and working with IT and other GF staff to execute those solutions
•    Aligns IT operations with the needs of a decentralized, global organization including, but not limited to establishing 24/7 global support, effective communications, reliable and accessible system platforms and  infrastructure, and the use of field-based support resources to leverage local cost structures and service levels
•    Develops knowledge management strategies, platforms and processes to enable effective collaboration, knowledge sharing and learning across functional  areas, programs, and regions
•    Manages all of GF’s information technology solution assets, ensuring all applications and tools directly support the current and future business needs of Grameen
•    Develops and manages the IT budget and performance measurement activities to ensure business objectives are achieved and internal service level agreements are met in a cost effective manner
•    Supervises Grameen’s technology infrastructure across U.S. and international offices, evaluates and manages system performance, security, back-up procedures, disaster recovery plans and ensures alignment with Grameen-wide risk management practices
•    Owns in-house vs. outsourced service decisions and manages strategic service provider partnerships and vendor relationships
•    Supervises the staff of the IT department, to create a responsive, solution-oriented culture; provides mentorship through the establishment of professional goals; and promotes accountability among the team through consistent performance evaluation
•    Other duties, as assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
•    Deep commitment to eradication of poverty and alignment with Grameen Foundation’s mission
•    Demonstrated experience supporting the IT needs of a geographically decentralized international organization
•    Proven experience in managing the IT operations of a medium sized organizations (100 – 500 employees), including P&L responsibilities and the implementation of enterprise-wide systems
•    Proven track record of managing infrastructure, application support, and help desk operations with significant improvements in service levels year over year
•    Experience managing an outsourced or co-sourced operational IT model
•    Demonstrated medium/large scale technical project management experience
•    Ability to effectively translate business needs into sustainable technology solutions
•    Demonstrated ability to work in a fast paced environment with flexibility, efficiency, and diplomacy both individually and as part of a complex team effort
•    Exceptional written and oral communication skills, in positions requiring culturally sensitive communication with a broad and diverse audience
•    High level interpersonal skills; ability to build global relationships internally and externally

Education and/or Experience:
•    Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in a related field;
•    Eight to ten  (8-10) years of experience in related IT field .
•    Leadership experience in the designing and implementing information management platforms.
•    International work experience in emerging markets, desired.
•    Experience designing and managing cloud, intranet, and open source application solutions, preferred.
•    Experience with project management: building work plans, timelines, documenting plans and developing processes and procedures.

Physical and Environmental Conditions:
This position does not require unusual demands for physical effort.  This position may occasionally require physical effort to lift and transport boxes weighing no more than 50 pounds.  Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of places such as offices, meeting or training rooms, residences, or commercial vehicles; e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations and traffic signals.

Additional Comment:
The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made in appropriate circumstances to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. 
For more information about Grameen Foundation please visit our website at www.grameenfoundation.org. 

Interested candidates may send cover letter and resume by email to jobs@grameenfoundation.org by July 31, 2010. Applications that will not include both cover letter and resume will not be considered. Please put “IT Director ” in the subject line.  No calls please.