Director of IT Operations & Strategy

Virginia Tech • Blacksburg, VA

77d

About The Position

The Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VTNSI) is the university's premier research and education hub for national security, bringing together world-class faculty, students, and industry partners to address critical challenges facing the nation. VTNSI integrates cutting-edge research, technology innovation, and policy engagement to advance U.S. security and resilience. The Director of IT Operations & Strategy provides strategic leadership and vision for VTNSI's IT environment, ensuring that all systems, processes, and services align with the institute's mission and the broader university priorities. As VTNSI's primary IT leader, the Director plays a critical role in shaping the institute's secure research computing strategy. In this capacity, the Director guides VTNSI's involvement in the development of a centralized CUI enclave, advances governance structures with university partners, and ensures compliance with federal and institutional security standards. The role is also responsible for building trust in IT operations by presenting data-driven insights, fostering transparency, and maintaining strong communication with leadership and stakeholders. Beyond setting long-term IT strategy, the Director oversees daily operations and enterprise systems, leading efforts to modernize infrastructure, standardize hardware and software management, and implement automated workflows to streamline processes. Working closely with VTNSI leadership, faculty, staff, and students, the Director anticipates emerging research needs, maximizes the value of shared university resources, and drives collaboration across departments. A strong emphasis is placed on compliance and security, including the consistent development of technical documentation, implementation of business continuity strategies, and enforcement of security controls. The Director also leads, mentors, and evaluates a team of IT professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and responsive service delivery. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director serves as a critical partner in advancing VTNSI's research mission through secure, scalable, and strategic IT leadership.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field, or Bachelor's degree with significant equivalent experience.
• Experience collaborating with senior leadership and cross-functional teams in a mission-driven environment.
• Significant professional experience leading IT operations in a complex organization.
• Strong background in process automation, IT project management, and team leadership.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to develop policies, manage budgets, and oversee vendor contracts.
• Must be a US Citizen.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education, government, or research environments.
• Experience with IT compliance standards, including NIST 800-171 and CMMC 2.0.
• ITIL certification or equivalent process management experience.
• Familiarity with Endpoint Central, ServiceDesk Plus, and enterprise IT service management tools.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and vision for VTNSI's IT environment.
• Ensure alignment of all systems, processes, and services with the institute's mission and university priorities.
• Shape the institute's secure research computing strategy.
• Guide VTNSI's involvement in the development of a centralized CUI enclave.
• Advance governance structures with university partners.
• Ensure compliance with federal and institutional security standards.
• Build trust in IT operations by presenting data-driven insights.
• Oversee daily operations and enterprise systems.
• Lead efforts to modernize infrastructure and standardize hardware and software management.
• Implement automated workflows to streamline processes.
• Anticipate emerging research needs and maximize the value of shared university resources.
• Drive collaboration across departments.
• Develop technical documentation and implement business continuity strategies.
• Enforce security controls.
• Lead, mentor, and evaluate a team of IT professionals.

Benefits

• Professional development opportunities.
• Participation in university shared governance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Master's degree