Director of IT and Head of Technology

Gordon and Betty Moore established the foundation to create positive outcomes for future generations. Guided by this vision and the Statement of Founders' Intent , the foundation fosters path-breaking environmental conservation, scientific discovery, and preservation of the special character of the San Francisco Bay Area. We strive to make significant and durable impacts on the world.

Together, we work to honor the vision of our founders and serve as stewards of the resources they have entrusted to us. We establish specific strategies based on advice from experts, identify partners who share our goals and measure results along the way. We build relationships and fund work in areas where we hope to make significant impacts; and we know that working together expands our ability to drive meaningful change.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic leader to serve as the organization’s next Director of IT and Head of Technology. This leader will serve as a strategic partner to leadership and staff and a hands-on implementer, accelerating the organization’s impact at a time when the role of private philanthropy, particularly at the scale at which the Moore Foundation operates, has become even more critical.

Heidrick and Struggles has been exclusively retained as our search partner for this position. To apply, interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter directly to [email protected] . All inquiries are strictly confidential.

What You Will Do

The Director of IT and Head of Technology serves as the foundation’s most senior dedicated technology leader and will be responsible for leading all aspects of the foundation’s organization-wide technology strategy and deployment, including AI and data analytics tools and solutions. This is a unique opportunity to ensure that technology supports and drives impact in the name of a Silicon Valley pioneer.

Serving as an inspired expert, collaborative partner, and skilled implementer on technology-related issues, the role will deliver exceptional technology solutions, support, and infrastructure, as well as team and organizational leadership. This role leads a team of seven full-time staff and reports to the Chief Administrative Officer. The foundation has a hybrid technology environment (i.e., cloud/on-premises) focused on the Microsoft platform.

The Director of IT and Head of Technology is responsible for developing and implementing a forward-looking technology strategy; maintaining a highly reliable, secure and scalable technology infrastructure; delivering exceptional end user technology support; empowering work and impact through cutting-edge tools and platforms; leading change management for technology efforts; providing hybrid and in-office technology to enable high-performing work; and supporting and developing a team of technology professionals.

The role is both strategic and hands-on, with an expectation of being an active project participant and doer.

Vision and Strategy

• Collaboratively develop and communicate a forward-looking technology vision and strategy aligned to the foundation’s desired impact, approach and business needs.
• Implement, evolve, and measure the impact of the technology strategy over time.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs), service agreements and objectives for the technology function. Actively solicit end user, internal business partner, and leadership feedback to inform continuous improvement.
• With curiosity and commitment, proactively identify technology tools, solutions and approaches which meet current business needs and anticipate future needs. Ensure the foundation takes advantage of leading-edge technology tools, systems and ideas.
• Collaborate with other teams (e.g., Legal, Programs) on foundation-wide AI strategy and implementation, leading implementation of internal AI technology tools and solutions.
• Share expertise and learn from others by participating in peer networks and associations, including but not limited to philanthropic technology peer groups.
  
  
  

Technology Governance

• Maintain foundation-wide technology policies (e.g., data privacy, information security, device use) and standards. Provide collaborative leadership and input on foundation policies which have a technology component.
• Ensure clear technology governance, prioritization, and decision-making processes that are collaboratively developed and incorporated into work/projects.
  
  
  

Team and Organizational Leadership

• Oversee a skilled and high-performing technology team, ensuring the growth, engagement, and professional development of team members.
• Create a collaborative team working environment, leveraging the expertise and input of technology team members to advance the department’s vision and achieve its objectives.
• Ensure cost-effective management of resources by overseeing the technology operating budget and technology contract negotiations.
• Serve on the foundation’s Senior Management team and play a foundation-wide leadership role in achieving impact and creating an engaging and satisfying work environment for all.
  
  
  

Technology Infrastructure

• Lead the visioning for the foundation’s technology infrastructure and ensure implementation of an infrastructure roadmap aligned with that vision.
• Anticipate technology shifts and take early advantage of them to optimize the foundation’s infrastructure.
• Ensure a highly reliable, secure, and scalable technology infrastructure.
• Continuously improve business continuity planning, including but not limited to cyber security, data security and disaster recovery. Participate in and integrate technology risks with enterprise risk management efforts.
• Support and enhance a cloud-first infrastructure to maintain business continuity.
• Maintain high levels of staff awareness of security threats and address gaps as needed in the foundation’s security posture. Implement robust security measures (e.g., access controls, security awareness training).
  
  
  

Technology Operations

• Deliver highly responsive onsite and remote helpdesk technology support for all staff and offices.
• Ensure end users have the technology and information tools they need.
• Manage an office and hybrid technology roadmap aligned to current and future business needs. Continuously scout for new technologies for more efficient and effective office and hybrid work.
• Stay ahead of security trends and maintain a security-focused environment without being intrusive.
  
  
  

Solutions and Applications

• Oversee the roadmap for the foundation’s use of custom internal and externally-sourced solutions.
• Share technical and functional expertise, guidance, and training to end users on foundation applications. Ensure own high level of competence with the foundation’s standard applications while developing own and team members’ expertise with emerging applications.
• Scout, assess, and as needed, deploy new back-end and front-end platforms and applications to meet the business needs of the foundation and give staff tools for effective and meaningful work.
• Understand the business needs of end users and other partners across the foundation (Programs, Administrative, Investments and Legal), and collaboratively identify/implement solutions that meet their needs.
• Oversee development strategy and roadmap for the foundation’s custom grant management system, ensuring that it effectively supports the grantmaking process and end user needs and experience. Identify and guide improvements that enable the system to deliver high comparative value to the organization.
• Partner with program colleagues, including Adaptive Management and Evaluation staff, to identify and deliver full-cycle adaptive management and evaluation solutions which enable measurement and insights on the foundation’s programmatic impact.
  
  
  

Data and Knowledge Management

• Lead data governance and strategy to ensure the integrity, quality, consistency, and responsible use of data across the foundation.
• Advance data, AI, information visualization and other business intelligence capabilities across the foundation, ensuring the foundation has tools for increasing automation and deriving actionable insights.
• Refine knowledge management strategy and provide tools for effective knowledge management.
  
  
  

What You Bring With You

While we understand that there are multiple paths to develop specific expertise, we expect that this candidate will likely have the following:

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or equivalent education and experience in a related field. Master’s degree in technology, business, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of ten to fifteen years’ progressive experience leading Information Technology teams/functions.
  
  
  

Technology Leadership And Expertise

• Hands-on technical background and track record of expertise and leadership spanning technology operations (e.g., sysadmin, security, end user support), data and information (e.g., analytics, AI, visualization), and solutions (e.g., development, programming, sourcing applications).
• Deep hands-on experience in the Microsoft environment, including experience with typical on premises infrastructure, Microsoft cloud, and typical development environments.
• Current knowledge of technology issues and leading-edge technology solutions/approaches, with a demonstrated ability to maintain working expertise in a fast-moving field.
  
  
  

Strategy And Technology Deployment

• Demonstrated expertise in creating and implementing technology strategies and roadmaps across the technology functions (infrastructure, solutions, data & analytics, AI, office technology, etc.).
• Track record of successful hands-on technology deployment and change leadership, from needs assessment to whiteboarding solutions to achieving buy-in and implementing.
• Experienced project leader with commitment to and working knowledge of best practice project management and software development tools and methodologies (e.g., Agile, waterfall).
  
  
  

Stakeholder Management, Collaboration And Communication

• Proven experience building credibility and partnering with senior leaders and staff to identify and assess opportunities, prioritize, drive consistency, and deliver results; drives change through data-driven reasoning, collaboration and adaptation.
• Demonstrated success in working effectively with external partners including expertise in evaluating, negotiating with, and managing vendors.
  
  
  

Organizational Experience

• Track record of strong technology team leadership and mentorship.
• Candidates from all sectors, including those whose experience is primarily outside the philanthropic and non-profit sectors, are encouraged to apply, with preferred experience in data and information-intensive organizations.
  
  
  

Competencies

• Highly collaborative and consultative mindset with commitment to understanding and identifying solutions that meet the needs of the foundation, teams and individuals.
• Intellectual curiosity and commitment to engaging with leading-edge technology and ideas.
• Proclivity and enthusiasm for hands-on work in support of the Technology team/function, end users and foundation overall.
• Reputation as a credible, trustworthy team and organizational leader with the highest standards of ethics, professionalism and integrity.
• Demonstrated commitment to seeking and operationalizing individual and department feedback.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate in a trustworthy, inspiring and influential manner; humility, high emotional intelligence and well-developed listening skills.
• Positive, can-do spirit and attitude that no job is too big or too small.
  
  
  

Attributes

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following attributes that describe how we at the foundation strive to do our work with each other and our partners.

• Committed to Excellence - We bring our best to all we do.
• Passionate - Inspired by the vision of our founders, we are passionate about our work.
• Collegial - We are part of a team striving toward common goals.
• Open and Honest - We act with integrity, putting the good of the foundation first.
• Humble and Self-Aware - Emulating our founders, we bring a sense of humility to our work.
  
  
  

Compensation And Benefits

The Moore Foundation provides a generous total compensation package that includes a competitive salary and a wide range of benefits to support your life, health, and well-being.

The expected salary range for this position is between $350,000 and $450,000 per year. Our job titles and salary ranges may span more than one career level, and the salary offered to a candidate will be determined based on factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, job-related knowledge and skill set, depth of experience, certifications and/or degrees, and our practice of upholding salary equity within the foundation.

Our health benefits include employer-paid options for medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents; a mental wellness program; paid parental leave; employer-paid disability and life insurance benefits; and pre-tax flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.

Other benefits include six weeks of paid time off per year and ten paid holidays; a 401(k) retirement savings plan with a foundation contribution of up to 10% and a Roth 401(k) option; a matching gifts program for qualifying charitable contributions; hybrid work arrangements and a home office stipend; and a commuter benefits program.

To support you in achieving your career goals, the foundation offers a professional development program to all benefits-eligible employees that includes an annual financial benefit of $5,000 and paid time off to participate in educational programs.

Work Arrangements/Location

The Director of IT and Head of Technology oversees technology in both the foundation’s main Palo Alto, CA office and auxiliary San Francisco, CA office. The role is based in the Palo Alto office, with time spent as needed in the San Francisco office.

The foundation has a hybrid work arrangement, and the Director will work a minimum of one to two days a week in the Palo Alto office and one day a month in the San Francisco office with other in-person work as needed to achieve business objectives. Foundation employees are also required to work onsite the weeks of the May and November board meetings, and on periodic occasions throughout the year when foundation business needs require.

Under the foundation’s residency policy, employees must reside within a reasonable driving distance of the foundation’s Palo Alto office. A fully remote work option will not be considered for this role.

Application Process

Heidrick and Struggles has been exclusively retained as our search partner for this position. To apply, interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter directly to [email protected] . All inquiries are strictly confidential.

The Moore Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We depend on individuals who possess varied skills, perspectives and expertise. We seek to recognize many forms of excellence in candidates, attract individuals with varied identities and backgrounds and enable all employees to feel they belong and can contribute to the mission of the Moore Foundation.

We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, marital status, registered domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or on any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law. We also do not discriminate based on the perception that anyone has any of these characteristics or combination of these characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of these characteristics or combination of these characteristics.

The foundation is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its programs and operations. As part of this commitment, the foundation will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations unless doing so would result in undue hardship for the foundation.

If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact [email protected]. A request for accommodation will be responded to within three business days. However, non-disability related requests, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.

Pursuant California Fair Chance Act and any applicable local law, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Act or applicable local law.

Candidates must be currently legally authorized to work in the United States.