Director, Digital Platforms and Technology

Director, Digital Platforms and Technology

Position Summary:

The Simons Foundation seeks a Director of Digital Platforms and Technology to drive digital strategy and innovation across the organization. Reporting to the Director of Digital Communications, this role serves as a technical leader and partner in evolving the foundation's online presence and building its digital capabilities. The position is responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing the foundation's websites and other digital platforms. This role leads a team of developers, designers, and engineers to create compelling and impactful digital experiences. The position collaborates cross-functionally with communications, IT, and internal stakeholders to develop and implement digital capabilities and solutions, ensuring seamless technical integration. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of web development, digital platforms, and related technologies, combined with strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills.

This position is a full-time position based on-site at the Simons Foundation's New York City offices.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

Digital Strategy & Innovation

• Define, develop, and manage the web and digital platform infrastructure, ensuring performance, reliability, scalability, and security.
• Oversee the technical team responsible for designing, building, and maintaining foundation websites and other digital experiences.
• Partner with stakeholders to develop, prioritize, and execute digital initiatives and platform capability roadmaps.
• Work closely with the Director of Digital Communications to drive consistent technical improvements and innovation across the foundation s digital presence.
• Spearhead digital initiatives including implementing new platforms, technologies, and workflows.
• Develop and implement data collection processes and analytics capabilities to inform strategy, prioritize roadmaps, and provide insights.
• Advance the foundation's digital capabilities by leveraging new and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).
• Oversee integrations with third-party tools, analytics platforms, and enterprise systems to extend platform capabilities.
• Ensure web and digital platforms comply with global privacy regulations, including GDPR and CCPA.
• Oversee the digital technology budget, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Build and maintain relationships with external technology partners and vendors.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide technical leadership, strategic guidance, and operational oversight while ensuring alignment with the foundation s mission and goals.
• Foster data-driven decision-making, establishing metrics and KPIs to guide digital strategy and investments.
• Lead, manage, and mentor the technical team, cultivating a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
• Build enterprise-wide governance and support for digital initiatives, including presenting proposals and recommendations to secure buy-in from stakeholders.
• Provide technical architecture leadership related to project discovery, design, development, and deployment, in collaboration with the internal infrastructure team.
• Determine team priorities, manage resources, and allocate responsibilities for multiple concurrent projects with a best-in-class customer service mindset.
• Evaluate and improve existing workflows and processes to increase efficiency, collaboration, and coordination.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline (e.g., computer science, information technology)
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in digital technology, information technology, or a related area, with at least 5 years in a leadership position.
• Demonstrated success in leading and managing cross-functional teams and complex digital projects.
• Strong understanding of web development and platforms (e.g., WordPress or Drupal), UX/UI, and data and analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics).
• Experience managing development and technical teams including in-house and external resources.
• Knowledge of web development frameworks, languages and tools (e.g., JavaScript frameworks, HTML/CSS, PHP, MySQL)

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Strong organizational and project management skills, capable of working closely with stakeholders to effectively gather requirements and prioritize multiple projects across the organization.
• Ability to translate business objectives into actionable strategies and initiatives.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Must have the experience and executive presence to establish credibility with foundation leaders, as well as achieve alignment among different stakeholder groups.
• Must be able to work collaboratively with editorial, communications and division leadership.

Compensation and Benefits:

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $190,000 - $215,000 depending on experience.
• In addition to competitive salaries, the Simons Foundation provides employees with an outstanding benefits package

Required Application Materials:

• Please submit a resume and cover letter stating your interest in the position.

Our Commitment to Expanding Pathways to Science & Opportunities for All:

Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences. The Simons Foundation is committed to advancing basic science and mathematics to benefit humankind and expand our collective understanding of our world. As part of our mission, we support partners, programs, and initiatives that seek to broaden the scientific community and open pathways to science and mathematics careers.

The Simons Foundation provides equal opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law.