ALTA’s Director of Technology serves a critical role, shaping technology strategy and ensuring effectiveness and value for the association. The Director collaborates with and guides senior leadership, driving innovation and transformation projects to ensure that technology investments and initiatives serve ALTA’s long-term resilience. 

The Director leads the strategy, acquisition, implementation, operation, and maintenance for the association’s network infrastructure, database systems, websites, user desktops, telephone system, office equipment, and conference room audio-visual. Leveraging department staff resources, vendors, and others, is responsible for all aspects of user support and training for a team of 30+ employees, hybrid and remote.

The Director works with ALTA’s affiliated entities (ALTA Title & Settlement Agent Registry, ALTA’s Land Title Institute, ALTA Good Deeds Foundation, the Title Action Network, and the Title Industry Political Action Committee) to provide and maintain technology tools and resources which support ongoing operations. Will serve as staff liaison for the ALTA Information Security Work Group and contribute technical knowledge, expertise, and insight to ALTA publications and engagement groups including the Best Practices Executive Committee and Work Group. Will also contribute technical knowledge, expertise, and insight to the ALTA Technology Community and other online communities.

Project Management Leadership & Participation

• Lead the Technology & Infrastructure PMO
• Participate in the Data and Web Services PMO and serve as backup leader
• Participate in other department PMOs (e.g., Membership, Meetings, Communications, Political Affairs) 
• Contribute to analysis and documentation of requirements for development of features, functionality, queries, reports, and web-based displays
• Perform light project management including requirements documentation and task tracking

Network Infrastructure, Security, and Business Continuity

• Maintain relationship with MSP; evaluate recommendations and coordinate project timing
• Track network performance and uptime; fully address exceptions with MSP
• Ensure effective system security including virus and malware threat protection
• Ensure backups occur as scheduled and that restoration is tested regularly

User Resources, Training, and Support

• Maintain expertise in desktop and browser based MS365 applications, features, and functionality
• Maintain understanding of specialized software used across the enterprise
• Coordinate and deliver user training on computer equipment, database systems, websites, office applications, office equipment, telephony, virtual meetings, and conference room capabilities
• Oversee acquisition and deployment of user equipment and applications
• Oversee support ticketing assignments, troubleshooting, and resolution

Telephone System & Office Equipment

• Maintain understanding of telephone system and features; develop and implement call-routing and hunt groups
• Maintain understanding of multi-function machines for print, copy, scan, fax
• Maintain understanding of conference room AV

Websites

• Maintain awareness of multiple websites; maintain SSL and domain registrations
• Track performance and uptime; fully address exceptions
• Maintain understanding of relevant website hosting, operating systems, and programming languages

Database Systems & Customer-Facing Technology

• Maintain understanding of AMS software and data schema; data warehouse structure and design; and accounting software integration
• Maintain understanding of specialized third-party integrations (e.g., learning management system, grassroots advocacy system, PAC management system)
• Maintain understanding of electronic publication distribution, marketing email distribution, and community platform

Policies and Documentation

• Establish and maintain enterprise documentation including network diagrams, application dependencies, and third-party integrations
• Maintain an IT User Manual
• Maintain a Business Continuity Plan
• Maintain a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan
• Maintain knowledgebase of business processes and how-to documentation

Equipment Inventory and Management

• Maintain equipment inventory for all hardware and office equipment
• Maintain tracking system for loaned equipment (e.g., mobile hot spots)
• Oversee mobile office setup and equipment for off-site meetings and events

Compliance & Annual Review Support

• Oversee periodic PCI Compliance review and, if appropriate, PEN Testing
• Maintain compliance inventory for application and user seat licenses
• Collaborate with finance staff during annual audit of financials and operations and address recommendations in final report from auditors

Budget, Financial, and Legal

• Develop annual budget for technology and information systems
• Review and approve technology-related invoices for payment
• Manage use of Corporate American Express Card, including collection of receipts and coding of expenses in online billing system
• Engage in monthly review of budget performance with finance staff
• Develop annual proposal for staffing and align with HR budget
• Coordinate with general counsel to review and recommend formal agreements for technology products and services
• Maintain repository of executed contracts and agreements with technology vendors; track contract term dates

ALTA Member Engagement Groups

• Serve as staff liaison for the industry’s Information Security Work Group and contribute technical knowledge, expertise, and insight to ALTA publications and engagement groups including the Best Practices Executive Committee and Work Group.
• Contribute technical knowledge, expertise, and insight to the ALTA Technology Community and other online communities

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:  Bachelor’s degree in technology area, business with a focus in technology, or similar field of study. Master’s degree a plus. Industry Certifications a plus.

Experience:  Five years supporting the IT function within organizations; Association experience a plus. Experience managing MSP engagements and outsourced vendors providing IT infrastructure, website programming, and data services. Experience providing in-person and virtual user support and managing user support staff.

Or an equivalent combination of education, certification, and experience.

PREFERRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

Soft Skills:  Excellent written and verbal communication skills; Demonstrated emotional intelligence in all aspects of work; Appreciation for a collaborative approach to work outcomes; Strong Project Management skills.

Technical Skills:  Knowledgeable about - 

• server operating systems and user account administration 
• Active Directory, Microsoft Office 365, OneDrive, SharePoint, Telephony, Sophos VPN and Adobe products
• desktops, laptops, monitors, peripherals, tablets, and mobile devices
• peripheral office equipment including networked printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines, and multi-function machines
• relational database systems, Association Management Software (AMS) products with eCommerce capabilities, and financial software systems
• Windows website hosting applications including IIS, MSSQL, MySQL, and ColdFusion
• SQL code, Views, Stored Procedures, etc.
• server-side website development languages including PHP, .NET, and (ideally) ColdFusion
• client-side website development languages including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• WordPress
• web domains, domain registration, secure socket layer (SSL) certificates, and site security verification certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Remain in a stationary position up to 2/3 of the time.
• Operate a computer and other office machinery for an extended time daily.
• Participate on camera in video meetings for several hours daily.
• Move around the physical office and access a wide variety of workspaces.
• Be positioned to install, remove, or provide support to machines, including under desks and in cabinets.
• Lifting moderately heavy objects like physical equipment or meeting materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Perform occasional evening or weekend work, especially when system down-time is required for a task or project.
• U.S. travel may be required and may require traveling by car, airline, and/or public transportation to destinations in the United States.

As with all ALTA staff positions, special projects and other duties not included here may arise and be assigned to this staff position. All ALTA staff members are expected to assist with office-wide projects requiring a team effort, most notably preparation for major meetings.