The Monterey Bay Aquarium, a world-renowned non-profit institution with a vital mission to inspire conservation of the oceans, seeks an experienced technology leader to serve as Vice President of Information Technology (VP of IT). This new, highly visible role reflects the Aquarium's strategic commitment to significantly increase its investment in IT capability in order to further its mission and goals in innovative ways.
Located at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a leading institution for public outreach, education, and research focused on ocean conservation. Nearly 1.9 million people visit the 322,000 square-foot aquarium annually, and more than 35,000 creatures representing over 550 species fill 34 major galleries showcasing coastal wetlands, the rocky shore, a living kelp forest, and the undersea waters of Monterey Bay. In addition to the aquarium operation, the Aquarium conducts youth and teacher education programs, field research for white shark, tuna, and sea otter populations, consumer and business advocacy programs to promote sustainable seafood, and marine policy work; all for the purpose of advancing appreciation for and scientific understanding of the oceans. The Aquarium employs approximately 425 full and part-time staff members and is served by more than 1,200 dedicated volunteers. The VP of IT will be a key member of the Aquarium's senior management team and will bring a strong strategic orientation for how technology can more successfully support the mission of the Aquarium. The newly created position that will report to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and will be responsible for the design, development and implementation of information systems, software applications, and IT support and infrastructure systems that span the Aquarium and its activities. The VP will play a pivotal senior-level role in helping the Aquarium better harness digital technologies to carry out its mission, by developing a robust, integrated technological framework that will support core business functions, such as finance, accounting, human resources, marketing, visitor research, and planning, and support the organization in its efforts to leverage digital media to understand and interact with its visitors, members, donors, volunteers, employees, and advocacy partners, both on-site and on-line, in ways which expand its impact. New leadership will oversee the existing IS department and immediately reassess the current approach to infrastructure and IT deployment and governance throughout the organization. Based on that assessment, the leader will propose and implement a plan, redirect existing resources where possible, and expand the function as necessary to include project management, applications specialists and business analysts. Equally important, the person is expected to provide strategic vision and oversight for all IT at the Aquarium, including those areas not under the person's direct management (such as web and interactive media). Through effective leadership, the IT group will serve as a strategic resource for leaders and staff working across the institution, helping them aggregate and synthesize data from diverse sources to enable better decision-making and more efficient, effective operations to improve their impact in inspiring conservation of the oceans. In this role, the VP of IT will address an array of key opportunities and challenges: * Guide and engage the Aquarium in setting a compelling technology vision and strategic roadmap to enable delivery of its mission and strategic goals; * Develop a world-class information technology infrastructure to support a world-class aquarium; * Foster and build an innovative, user-focused team; and * Guide the IT Governance Committee to align investments with mission. Monterey Bay Aquarium has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is committed to diversity and encourages individuals who bring a diversity of culture, experience, and ideas to apply. Confidential inquiries, nominations, referrals, and resumes with cover letters should be sent in confidence to: Deborah Hodson and Cati Mitchell Isaacson, Miller 1000 Sansome Street, Suite 300 San Francisco, CA 94111 4897 at imsearch.com<mailto:4897 at imsearch.com>
