Director of Programs Technology

Who We Are:

The Orthodox Union (OU) is the largest Orthodox Jewish organization in the United States, founded in 1898. The OU supports a vast network of synagogues, youth programs, advocacy efforts, services for individuals with disabilities, and international initiatives. It also operates the leading kosher certification service, recognized globally by the Ⓤ symbol on numerous kosher food products.

Position Summary:

The Director of Programs Technology provides leadership, coordination, and oversight for the technology team responsible for planning, building, delivering, and supporting digital solutions across the organization's programs. 

This role helps guide technology initiatives from intake and requirements through development, release, and ongoing improvement, while supporting efficient cross-team collaboration and alignment with organizational priorities. 

Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, the Director leads a team of developers and oversees the Technology Delivery Manager, who manages business analysis and project delivery operations.

The Director serves as the primary technology leader for internal departments and program stakeholders, translating organizational needs into working solutions while maintaining appropriate collaboration with executive strategy and specialized technical domains.  
 

Responsibilities:

Technology Leadership & Product Ownership

• Own the overall technology roadmap for programs  
• Translate organizational and program-level goals into prioritized technology initiatives  
• Lead and guide decisions on solution design, platform selection, and technical direction in collaboration with appropriate stakeholders  
• Ensure technology investments align with organizational mission, capacity, and long-term strategy  
• Serve as the primary technology point of contact for the CIO and cross-departmental stakeholders  

Team Leadership & Management

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of developers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture  
• Oversee the Technology Delivery Manager and the business analysis and delivery functions that report through that role  
• Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and support professional development across the team  
• Build team capacity and structure to support organizational growth and evolving technology needs  
• Promote accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement within the team  

Execution & Delivery Oversight

• Oversee planning, execution, and delivery of technology projects across all organizational programs  
• Ensure projects move efficiently from concept through development, QA, release, and long-term support  
• Partner with the Technology Delivery Manager on sprint planning, release coordination, and delivery operations  
• Monitor project health, identify risks and bottlenecks, and drive resolution across concurrent initiatives  
• Maintain visibility and accountability across the full project portfolio  

Systems, Platforms & Continuous Improvement

• Own and steward the organization's custom-built technology platforms that support the programs  
• Drive ongoing improvement of systems, processes, and operational workflows supporting programs and departments  
• Evaluate and recommend new platforms, vendors, and technologies in partnership with executive leadership  
• Ensure systems remain stable, scalable, secure, and well-documented  
• Champion the adoption of tools and practices that improve organizational efficiency and user experience  

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Build strong relationships with program directors and department heads across the organization's 15 programs  
• Communicate clearly about project status, timelines, trade-offs, and technology decisions to non-technical stakeholders  
• Facilitate alignment between organizational needs and technical capabilities  
• Represent the technology team's work and priorities in leadership conversations and planning processes  
   

Qualifications:

Required

• Demonstrated experience leading technology teams in a delivery-focused environment  
• Strong track record of managing projects from concept through implementation and support 
• Experience working cross-functionally with non-technical stakeholders and translating organizational needs into technical solutions 
• Solid understanding of software development lifecycles, Agile methodologies, and release management practices  
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills  
• Ability to operate across both strategic and hands-on operational responsibilities  

Preferred

• Experience in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization  
• Familiarity with platforms such as Asana, ServiceNow, or similar project and workflow management tools  
• Experience managing vendor relationships and platform evaluations  
• Bachelor's degree in technology, business, or a related field; advanced degree a plus  

Salary and Benefits:    

The salary range for this position is $145,000- $180,000, commensurate with experience.

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance:
The OU offers health insurance through an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA). Instead of a single group plan, employees have the freedom to choose their own health insurance plan that fits their personal and family needs. The OU contributes a generous monthly amount directly toward your premium, making coverage more flexible, affordable, and tailored to you.

Employees enrolled in our health plan also receive an annual BeniComp stipend, a supplemental benefit that reimburses eligible medical, pharmaceutical, dental, and vision expenses.

In addition, the OU offers employees group dental and vision insurance through MetLife.

Additional Benefits and Perks: 

• 10 Paid sick days
• 10-15 Paid vacation days
• Paid Jewish and Federal holidays
• Short Fridays to accommodate for Sabbath observance
• Free life and disability insurance
• Discounted continuing education opportunities
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after 3 years (requires a minimum 2% employee contribution)