DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (Full-Time)

Upper Merion Township, located in King of Prussia, PA, is looking for a motivated, skilled, transformative Director of Information Technology who will report directly to the Township Manager. This full-time position provides strategic leadership and direction for all IT services, systems, infrastructure, and cybersecurity across Upper Merion Township departments. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Position Objective : The Director of Information Technology is responsible for managing daily operations, long-range planning, budgeting, and implementing secure and reliable technology solutions that support municipal operations and public service delivery. A key function of the role is overseeing IT security operations, conducting risk and vulnerability assessments, and implementing proactive cybersecurity measures to prevent data breaches and ensure system integrity. The Director must foster innovation, maintain vendor relationships, and align technology strategy with Township goals. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Essential Job Functions : Lead, manage, and direct all IT operations to align with Township priorities and regulatory requirements. Develop and implement Township-wide cybersecurity strategies, including threat prevention, system hardening, vulnerability management, and incident response protocols. Conduct regular risk assessments, security audits, and evaluations of IT systems, applications, and infrastructure to identify and remediate vulnerabilities. Develop and refine comprehensive IT policies to address security, compliance, data management, infrastructure, and end-user support across the Township Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local information security laws, guidelines, and best practices, including CJIS, HIPAA, NIST, and applicable Pennsylvania IT governance standards. Oversee the design, deployment, and maintenance of secure networks, applications, servers, and cloud environments. Supervise departmental staff and promote a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Recommend hiring, promotion, disciplinary actions, and termination decisions for IT personnel. Set strategic and operational goals for the IT Department; manage resource allocation, project deadlines, and departmental performance. Collaborate with department heads and elected officials to assess technological needs, solve operational problems, and drive IT-enabled efficiencies. Chair quarterly IT Staff Advisory Committee meetings and conduct stakeholder engagement to guide IT planning and feedback. Lead project management efforts, including vendor negotiations, contract oversight, and milestone tracking for technology implementations. Develop and administer IT operational and capital budgets to ensure cost-effectiveness and fiscal responsibility. Ensure the timely and secure rollout of software updates, patches, and new applications across all Township systems. Manage all telecommunications systems and coordinate telephone infrastructure projects in collaboration with Police Department Staff. Oversee user access controls, account provisioning, and enforcement of data governance and acceptable use policies. Provide 24 / 7 / 365 emergency support, responding rapidly to system outages, security incidents, and critical technology failures with swift mitigation and recovery actions to ensure business continuity and minimal service disruption. Remain current on emerging technology trends, cyber threats, and government IT best practices. Management of all telephone projects in conjunction with the Police and other Department Heads. Maintain, update, renegotiate, and terminate contracts with vendors as needed. Prioritize and schedule tasks to ensure the ongoing maintenance of all IT-related systems and applications. Performs other duties as assigned. Physical Characteristics : Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to analyze, organize, and prioritize work in a dynamic environment. Ability to bend, lift up to 40 lbs., sit, walk, and climb footstools occasionally. Ability to work in a standard office environment with occasional exposure to dust. Visual acuity to read documents and screens regularly. Minimum Education, Training, and Experience Required : One of the following education and experience combinations is required : Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or a related field, plus three (3) years of progressively responsible IT and network systems experience, including three (3) years in a supervisory / leadership role. Bachelor’s Degree in a related field with five (5) years of IT experience and five (5) years of administrative and supervisory responsibility. Associate Degree or Certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, CompTIA Security+, PMP) plus seven (7) years of experience in IT operations, systems administration, cybersecurity, and project management, including at least five (5) years in a leadership capacity. Any combination of education, certifications, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the responsibilities of the position. Additional Requirements : Valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License. Ability to pass a background check and any security clearance as required by Township or law enforcement agencies. How to Apply : For immediate consideration, applicants should complete an employment application by visiting : Application-UMT-Employment-REV-Jan-2024.pdf and submit A completed job application; A cover letter; and A resume via email to : hr@umtownship.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. EOE