Director of Technology and Systems at International School of Paris in France
France < Back to Leadership Vacancies

Director of Technology and Systems
International School of Paris (France)

May 19, 2025
Jun 15, 2025

 

 

 

Director of Technology and Systems

 

The Director of Technology and Systems is a dynamic, visionary leader responsible for shaping the International School of Paris’s technology strategy, infrastructure, and innovation across both educational and operational domains. As a key member of the School Leadership Team, reporting to the Head of School, the Director plays a pivotal role in advancing ISP’s mission of Educating for Complexity by ensuring that technology empowers learning, supports institutional effectiveness, and fosters a secure, inclusive, and future-ready school environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

  •  Contribute to the school’s long-term vision for technology in education and administration, in alignment with institutional priorities set by the Head of School and Board.
  • Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive IT strategy that advances ISP’s mission, learning outcomes, and operational excellence.
  • Drive a sustainable digital transition by evaluating environmental impact and promoting responsible, future-ready technology practices.

IT Team Leadership

  •  Lead, coach, and inspire the entire IT team to ensure high performance, collaboration, and service excellence.
  • Define clear roles, responsibilities, and development goals, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning.
  • Conduct regular evaluations, provide mentorship, and support team members’ growth through training and upskilling.

Operational Oversight

  •  Provide hands-on support for high-level or urgent IT issues, including the deployment, configuration, and troubleshooting of complex systems.
  • Maintain visibility and accessibility across campus to stay attuned to daily user needs and system performance.
  • Implement and maintain robust physical security protocols for servers, network equipment, and other sensitive infrastructure.

Systems, Data Management and Security

  •  Ensure full compliance with GDPR, CNIL, and other relevant regulations through robust data privacy and cybersecurity policies.
  • Oversee the digital transformation of administrative systems to enhance operational efficiency and integration.
  • Maintain and continuously improve protocols and policies for data protection, access control, and information security—especially concerning minors.
  • Support the tracking of strategic plan progress through the school dashboard, in collaboration with the Director of Learning and Strategic Development.

Educational Technology

  • Act as a strategic partner to academic leaders in integrating digital tools and scaling effective digital learning initiatives, including responsible use of AI in education.
  • Collaborate with Program Coordinators and faculty to support technology-enhanced teaching and learning.
  • Promote digital citizenship and literacy through student programs that emphasize ethical, safe, and informed technology use.

Operations, Budget & Vendor Oversight

  • Manage the IT department’s budget, resource planning, and cost control, ensuring alignment with school priorities.
  • Oversee major technology projects, including infrastructure upgrades, system migrations, and platform deployments.
  • Maintain relationships with vendors and liaise with local authorities for audits, reviews, and regulatory compliance.

Training & Community Support

  • Provide expert-level support and guidance on complex IT issues across departments.
  • Design and deliver internal training programs to promote digital fluency and effective system use among staff.
  • Encourage professional development and a culture of learning within the IT team and broader school community.

 

Personal Attributes

  •  Collaboration – builds trust across departments through empathy, high interpersonal skills, and shared purpose
  • Communication – conveys complex ideas with clarity, diplomacy, and a service mindset
  • Adaptability – demonstrates resilience and a proactive approach to learning and innovation
  • Cultural Intelligence – navigates diverse perspectives with fluency and sensitivity in international school settings
  • Strategic Thinking – aligns technology vision with institutional goals and future-focused planning
  • Accountability – takes ownership of outcomes with integrity, transparency, and follow-through
  • Lifelong learning – remains informed and agile in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, modeling lifelong learning and thoughtful experimentation

 

Qualifications & Experience

  •  Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related field; a Master’s degree is preferred.
  • Proven leadership experience in IT management, ideally within an international school or cross-cultural educational environment.
  • Deep expertise in infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud architecture, and systems integration, with a demonstrated ability to lead digital transformation.
  • Thorough understanding of data protection and privacy laws, including GDPR compliance, especially as they apply to minors and educational institutions. Familiarity with CNIL requirements is considered an asset.
  • Strong track record in IT budgeting, project management, and vendor/contractor oversight.
  • Experience with educational technology integration and instructional support;
  • English and working knowledge of French is required, additional languages is a plus
  • Familiarity with AI tools, data-informed decision-making, and their ethical application in education is preferred.

 

Contract terms and conditions

The Director of Technology and Systems position spans 212 working days from September through August. The role requires flexibility, including availability for evening and weekend meetings and events. Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

Start Date: As soon as possible.

 Candidates are invited to apply through the careers page of our website by June 15, 2025.

Early applications are encouraged as interviews will be set up on an ongoing basis for candidates who are deemed a strong fit.

Please note that ISP reserves the right to close any vacancy earlier than the application deadline, should an appointment be made before the closing date.

A minimum of one reference from your current or most recent employer is a mandatory requirement in addition to two other professional references.

Selected candidates will be invited to an interview and undergo pre-recruitment procedures.

In accordance with our Child Protection Policy, they will also be asked to provide official criminal background checks from all countries in which they have lived in for the last 10 years.

 

Did You Know…?

Senior Associate Gary MacPhie is based in Toronto, Canada where he started his teaching career, and then spent 26 years overseas as a teacher, principal and recruiter in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.