Assistant Director, Information Technology - Technical Services

Staff Career • La Jolla, CA

1d • $125,000 - $155,000

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Director of Information Technology, the Assistant Director of IT, Technical Services, provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for Institute-wide technical support and end-user services. This role is responsible for ensuring high-quality, reliable, and responsive technical services that support the Institute’s scientific research, administrative, and operational missions. The Assistant Director leads and mentors the Technical Services team, oversees service delivery operations, manages the technical service delivery platform, and coordinates closely with Infrastructure, Applications, Security, and external partners. The position emphasizes continuous improvement, staff development, customer satisfaction, and alignment of technical services with institutional priorities and best practices.
Who We Are The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research. Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members , the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

Requirements

• Minimum seven (7) years of progressive IT support or IT service management experience.
• At least three (3) years of supervisory or team‑lead experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing enterprise ticketing systems.
• Proven leadership and staff development experience.
• Strong project management and communication skills.
• Experience administering or supporting telephony/VoIP systems.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in IT Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• ITIL certification or equivalent service management training.
• Experience supporting academic, biomedical, or scientific research environments.

Responsibilities

• Technical Services Leadership & Operations Management Provide day-to-day leadership, supervision, coaching, and performance management for the Technical Services team, including service desk and desktop support staff.
• Establish and maintain service standards, operational procedures, documentation, and knowledge‑base practices.
• Oversee and optimize the Institute’s IT ticketing system, including workflows, metrics, reporting, and service‑level objectives.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality customer service and timely resolution of incidents and requests.
• Partner with scientific, administrative, and facilities stakeholders to understand needs and improve service delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, reliability, and user experience.
• Project Management & Cross-Functional Coordination Lead and manage technical services–related projects, including endpoint deployments, upgrades, software rollouts, and workflow enhancements.
• Serve as project manager for initiatives involving desktop systems, peripherals, collaboration tools, and telephony services.
• Coordinate timelines, resources, vendor relationships, communications, and change management activities.
• Collaborate closely with Infrastructure, Network, Security, and Applications teams to ensure seamless service delivery and operational readiness.
• Support planning and transition activities for new or enhanced IT services.
• Infrastructure, Endpoint & Telephony Support Coordination Act as liaison between Technical Services and Infrastructure/Network teams for escalated or complex issues.
• Oversee endpoint lifecycle coordination, including provisioning, maintenance, and replacement planning.
• Provide oversight and coordination for telephony and VoIP systems, including call routing and user support processes.
• Participate in the evaluation and adoption of emerging endpoint and communication technologies.
• Administrative, Compliance & Other Duties Hands-on technical issue/ticket resolution as required Support budgeting, asset tracking, and vendor coordination related to technical services.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management to meet the evolving needs of the Institute.

Benefits

• Salk Institute offers competitive benefits , including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director