Associate IT Director OR IT Director, Research Platforms

UIOWA•Iowa City, IA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Information Technology Services (ITS) at Iowa is currently seeking either an Associate Director or a Director of Research Platforms to lead a technical team of professionals responsible for providing the services that support the University’s research mission, including high-performance computing (HPC), research storage, Linux-based infrastructure, and other critical research computing platforms. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced technology leader who enjoys working at the intersection of people leadership, advanced infrastructure, and research innovation. You’ll lead a team of technical professionals responsible for services including high-performance computing, research storage, Linux-based infrastructure, and other research computing platforms that enable faculty, researchers, and academic teams to do complex, high-impact work. This role is about more than keeping systems running. You’ll help shape how research computing services evolve—partnering with researchers, IT leaders, security professionals, data center teams, healthcare colleagues, and distributed technology units across the University of Iowa. You’ll identify emerging needs, guide the staff that implement technical solutions, establish team priorities, and help ensure our research platforms remain reliable, scalable, secure, and positioned for growth. Associate Director: The Associate Director for Research Platforms is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Research Platforms team and its service portfolio. These services support the University’s research mission and include high-performance computing, research storage, Linux-based infrastructure, and other research computing platforms. The Associate Director will oversee service operations, establish team priorities, coordinate projects and resources, and ensure services are delivered reliably and effectively. The position will lead a team of technical professionals and work closely with campus researchers, academic departments, research support organizations, and IT partners across the University. The Associate Director will advocate for the Research Platforms team while balancing team needs with broader departmental and institutional priorities. A strong, customer-centric focus on service delivery and the ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences are essential. Director: The Director for Research Platforms provides strategic leadership and organizational direction for the Research Platforms team and its service portfolio. These services support the University’s research mission and include high-performance computing, research storage, Linux-based infrastructure, and other research computing platforms. The IT Director will establish the long-term vision, priorities, and service strategy for research platforms, ensuring that capabilities evolve in response to institutional research priorities, emerging technologies, and the changing needs of the University’s research community. The position is accountable for the overall performance, sustainability, and strategic direction of the Research Platforms organization. The IT Director will cultivate partnerships with researchers, research support organizations, and IT leaders across the University. The position will make independent decisions regarding service direction, organizational priorities, resource allocation, and operational effectiveness while balancing the needs of the team with broader ITS and University priorities. For Both Levels: There is an expectation that the individual in this position will maintain effective, civil, and respectful working relationships with the University of Iowa campus community and uphold the University’s commitment to create a welcoming and respectful environment for all. This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization. ITS values work life balance and strives to provide flexible work options where possible. This position is eligible for on-site or hybrid work arrangements within the state of Iowa , and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location . For a detailed job description of either position, please email Melanie Bell at [email protected] .

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a field relevant to the position or an equivalent combination of education and related experience
Experience (typically 5 years or more for Associate Director, 7 years or more for Director) working in information technology with progressive responsibility, preferably in a higher education or other research-intensive environment.
Experience supporting, administering, or leading services related to high-performance computing, research storage, Linux/Unix systems, or other research-adjacent IT platforms.
Some leadership experience (administrative, functional, or project-based) in an IT environment (for Associate Director).
Prior experience supervising a team of technical staff, including coaching, performance feedback, work assignment and prioritization, and team development (Required for Director, Desirable for Associate Director).
Prior experience supporting Linux/Unix, preferably in an HPC environment (Required for Director, Desirable for Associate Director).
Demonstrated ability to provide technical direction and make technical decisions for complex infrastructure services (for Associate Director).
Demonstrated ability to provide strategic & technical direction and make high-level decisions for complex infrastructure services (for Director).
Experience successfully managing projects and initiatives with cross-functional teams, with competing deadlines (for Associate Director).
Experience successfully managing complex projects and initiatives with cross-functional teams, with competing deadlines (for Director).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical concepts to a wide variety of audiences.
Superior interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with demonstrated experience building and maintaining strong professional working relationships with peers, supervisors, customers, and other stakeholders.
Commitment to fostering a welcoming and respectful work environment (for Director).
Demonstrated track record of being a positive change agent, including role modeling change readiness; addressing resistance; building resiliency and successfully guiding others through the structural, cultural, and process aspects of organizational change.
U.S.A. citizenship, permanent residency, or protected person status is required for International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) compliance.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience supporting Linux/Unix, preferably in an HPC environment.
Prior experience supervising a team of technical staff, including coaching, performance feedback, work assignment and prioritization, and team development.
Familiarity with security, compliance, audit, data protection, or regulatory considerations in research or enterprise infrastructure environments.
Prior budget management experience.
Master's degree in a field relevant to the position (for Director).

Responsibilities

Establishing operational priorities and coordinating team resources, projects, maintenance activities, and service commitments.
Managing the daily operations of the Research Platforms team and oversee the delivery, support, maintenance, and continuous improvement of its services.
Leading, supervising, and developing technical staff by establishing expectations, assigning work, providing feedback, supporting professional growth, and maintaining accountability for team outcomes.
Accountability for service performance, capacity, reliability, and customer needs, and addressing operational concerns or service-delivery issues.
Partnering with researchers, academic departments, and research support organizations to understand needs and guide the implementation of effective technical solutions.
Coordinating with other Enterprise Infrastructure units, the Office of Teaching, Learning & Technology, the Information Security and Policy Office, UI Health Care, and collegiate and departmental IT units.
Overseeing departmental budget.
Leading and supervising the research team, including setting priorities, clarifying responsibilities, coaching staff, evaluating performance, and supporting employee development.
Directing development of service roadmaps, performance measures, financial plans, and resource strategies, ensuring that research computing and consultation services remain sustainable, responsive, and aligned with institutional priorities.
Anticipating emerging research technology needs and industry developments, evaluating their institutional implications and making appropriate recommendations for investments, partnerships, service changes, or new capabilities.
Leading and taking charge of complex, institutionally significant initiatives involving multiple colleges, administrative units, technical teams, governance bodies, vendors, and/or external partners.
Representing the University’s research computing interests in senior leadership discussions, negotiations, external collaborations, professional communities, and institutional planning efforts.