The Director of Technology is responsible for all aspects of technology operations, including strategic planning for the Museum, technical implementation, and budget preparation and management. The Director of Technology reports to the Deputy Director and is a member of the senior management team. Big picture goals for the first year include keeping the in-gallery technology humming, completing migration to a new DAM system, hiring and supervising a technical manager, archiving and supporting last-generation websites that maintain high visitation, evaluating overall security and backup systems, and completing the API needed to get the ticket system in tune with Stripe.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership, vision and oversight for all technology-based projects. Provide overall direction and advice on the Museum’s technology implementations. Work closely with colleagues to meet team goals and improve processes and practices.
• Work with management team to develop and grow digital engagement with the MIT Museum’s diverse audiences, both onsite and online.
• Collaborate with Exhibitions, Education & Public Programs, Collections, Store, Visitor Services, Communications, and Administrative staff to identify technology opportunities to position the MIT Museum as a technology leader, and then develop and implement these technology initiatives and services to provide a distinct and seamless visitor experience.
• Develop multimedia systems for exhibits, including investigation into new platforms such as iPads, Linux-based computers, and other special-purpose hardware. Implement exhibit technology installations capable of operating over periods ranging from a few weeks to years with minimal intervention required by other Museum staff.
• Lead efforts to widen Museum’s online audience through live streaming video and other digital experiences.
• Continuously investigate new technologies, experiment with potential technologies such as virtual servers, rich media web site software, exhibit and interactive hardware and software.
• Oversee Museum web sites, develop procedures for implementing, testing, deploying, and operating web sites based on static HTML as well as on active back-end systems such as Wordpress, Drupal.
• Implement web sites in-house, work with outside vendors, or work with other museum staff who are working with outside vendors. Monitor web sites to ensure proper operation, maintain backups of web sites, update server software as needed.
• Provide advice to Museum staff members needing assistance with technology planning for new exhibits, collections access initiatives, web sites or other operational needs.
• Participate in the development of strategic plans. Help to conceive and develop special initiatives related to museum technology.
• Enhance the MIT Museum’s leadership in the field by building strong collaborative relationships and partnerships across multiple sectors.
• Develop and manage department budget.
• Other duties as needed or required.

Supervision Received:

Reports to Deputy Director.

Supervision Exercised:

Supervise one Senior Web Developer and a Technical Manager for in-house AV; additional full or part-time permanent or temporary staff working on technology or technology-related projects may be added over time.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or information technology.
• Seven years of experience in technology project development, implementation and management focused on the visitor experience, including three years of related supervisory or management experience.
• Ability to work without direct supervision and to carry out multiple projects simultaneously.
• Must possess a broad base of technical knowledge in information technology and digital engagement tools; and emerging technology trends and issues, especially in a museum, public-facing or university environment.
• Knowledge of programming using sh/bash, Python and AppleScript; systems administration expertise with Mac OS, Linux and Windows. Knowledge of command line and package management. Understanding and use of distributed version control such as Git and/or Mercurial.
• Full stack web programming/implementation; knowledge of PHP, HTML, CSS, Javascript, AJAX, MySQL and/or PostgreSQL. Experience developing and maintaining Content Management Systems like Craft CMS.
• Ability to collaborate with a broad range of museum professionals whose primary experience is not in the museum technology field; and to engage with MIT faculty and students both as a partner and a teacher.
• Experience in advising, supervising, and mentoring museum staff.
• Strong planning, communication, interpersonal, management and leadership skills.

To apply, visit the MIT Human Resources Site. This role is a pay scale 10.