Director, TSS Business Operations & Governance

Rice University

9d•$127,100 - $153,000•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer (CIO), the Director, TSS Business Operations & Governance is responsible for ensuring the CIO organization operates as a high-reliability, precision-managed function. This role oversees the operational, financial, compliance, and governance functions necessary for the effective execution of the CIO’s vision. The Director provides operational discipline, performance tracking, and risk oversight that enable the CIO and Deputy CIO to focus on strategy, innovation, and service delivery. The ideal candidate will be an operational leader with strong governance acumen, capable of managing complex financial, compliance, and process portfolios. They must possess the ability to collaborate across finance, HR, legal, and technology functions and bring a mindset of continuous improvement to the CIO organization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
6+ years of experience in operational leadership, preferably within higher education or complex organizations
Demonstrated expertise in financial stewardship, compliance oversight, and process management
Ability to design and implement governance frameworks that balance agility with control
Strong analytical skills and ability to develop and interpret operational performance metrics
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; able to influence at all organizational levels
Experience working effectively with the CIO, Deputy CIO, CFO, CHRO, CISO, and General Counsel offices
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and serving the needs of a diverse university community

Nice To Haves

7 years of experience in operational leadership, preferably within higher education or complex organizations

Responsibilities

Lead operational planning and execution for the CIO organization, ensuring reliability, consistency, and accountability
Oversee the CIO organization’s budgeting, forecasting, and financial management processes
Maintain compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and contractual requirements
Establish and monitor key performance indicators for organizational health
Coordinate operational risk assessment and assurance activities
Standardize and improve administrative and operational processes
Partner with HR to manage workforce operations, including onboarding, offboarding, and role control
Serve as a liaison to Internal Audit, the CISO, and the General Counsel on operational and vendor risk matters
Promote a culture of operational excellence, transparency, and continuous improvement