KPBS Sr. Director of IT and Digital - San Diego State University Research Foundation

The salary range for this position is $14,333.33 - $15,050 per month ($172,000 - $180,600 per year) depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

This position is open until filled, with first review of candidates to start November 5, 2024.

KPBS is a Public Broadcaster with a large scale news operation.  This position supports our news operations and requires “on call availability” nights, weekends and holidays as needed by the organization.

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.

Under the direction of the Chief Technology Officer, The Senior Director of IT and Digital oversees the IT and Digital staff within the Operations and Technology Division. The KPBS Operations and Technology Division encompasses the Engineering, Television Production, IT and Digital departments.

The IT and Digital departments provide information technology and software development infrastructure to a diverse group of staff in a variety of work functions. From reporters who measure their deadlines in seconds, to Communications working with Digital on website development and maintenance, the departments are expected to consistently deliver excellent and timely customer service. Some additional areas of oversight include platform development and strategy such as YouTube and streaming apps, custom coding and page buildouts for digital content and data dashboards, and campaign results. Developing how KPBS uses data to create marketing user journeys, this role allows the departments to service staff who expect stability to reliability.

Under the direction of the Chief Technology Officer, this management role as Senior Director of IT and Digital is responsible for the leadership and supervision of the IT and Digital staff along with the technical infrastructure they provide. 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 the 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 Senior Director of IT and Digital is also responsible for ensuring the department is providing an excellent user experience for KPBS staff and the community. By managing the various digital technologies and products used for creating, distributing and measuring KPBS’s business performance across all departments, this incumbent is expected to create and maintain a stable and secure infrastructure.

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

The following information is intended to be representative of the work performed by incumbents in this position and is not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific duty or responsibility will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of position responsibilities. Job descriptions may be changed at any time based on the needs of the department.

The Senior Director of IT and Digital is responsible for, but is not limited to:

Information Technology, Digital, and Security Operations 75%

Security

• Responsible for KPBS IT security, and manages 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 and outside vendors. 
  
  

Compliance

• Ensure that KPBS is in compliance with all SDSU and SDSURF IT policies, particularly for security and PCI compliance.  
• Coordinate and prepare annual PCI compliance reporting, and maintains and supports 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.
• Be the subject matter expert for changing industry trends, developments in evolving technologies, including software and hardware technology, artificial intelligence (AI).
• Lead the internal committee charged with assessing AI use for the organization. 
• 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 and Help Desk Manager, evaluate and select the right 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.  

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 and Digital improvements to Management Council in alignment with strategic goals and annual budgets.  
• Approve the annual budgets for the IT and Digital departments.

Management 20%

• Coordinate the implementation of KPBS’ IT and Digital strategies as part of the organization’s broader business and marketing plans. Ensure smooth integration with other enterprise software systems, databases and outsourced service providers.
• Partner with the Management Council and Leadership teams to implement organizational goals.
• Collaborate with all KPBS departments to ensure staff has access to needed data and analysis.
• Ensure excellent communication between the IT and Digital Departments.
• Provide overall management guidance and support to the Director of Digital and Help Desk Manager.
• Ensure the collaboration between the Digital Department and Development and Grants Department to obtain and manage grants and gifts and other areas within KPBS

• Assist IT and Digital department leaders with managing hiring, onboarding, training, workflows and tasks.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to help department leaders achieve 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, etc. 
• Lend technical expertise and assistance to various departments and personnel when and where needed.
• Supervise the Director of Digital and Help Desk Manager.
• Act as the final point of escalation for all IT Technology and Digital departments’ related issues.

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned 5%

• Provide resources for back-up services for IT, Digital and Security staff, as needed.
• Assist Management Council and Leadership Team with various projects, as assigned.
• 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 meet deadlines and be well organized; possesses good judgment and common sense.

Minimum Education/ Experience

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

Preferred Qualifications and Special Skills

• 5 years of experience managing software development teams.
• Knowledge of artificial intelligence software and technology and its applications in a media environment

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