IT Professional Services Director

Universities of Wisconsin • Milwaukee, WI

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The IT Professional Services Director provides enterprise leadership for strategic IT planning, portfolio and program management, service management, and organizational change initiatives across the university. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Chief Information Officer, this position ensures that technology investments, services, and delivery models align with institutional priorities. The Director coordinates for all major IT projects the full lifecycle of investments and leads teams responsible for project management, business analysis, communications and training, and service/process management, while maintaining fiscal accountability, policy compliance, and service excellence.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience managing complex IT or information systems projects to successful completion
• 2+ years of experience leading, supervising, and developing professional staff
• Demonstrated experience leading or overseeing enterprise initiatives involving project management, business analysis, and/or organizational change across multiple stakeholders or functional areas
• Demonstrated experience partnering with diverse stakeholders to deliver enterprise-level solutions
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire.
• Selected candidates will be required to complete an I-9 form to verify eligibility to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Information Systems, IT, Business, or a related field by date of hire
• 10+ years of progressive experience in IT or business leadership roles
• Experience with multiple project delivery methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid)
• Experience leading enterprise process improvement or organizational change initiatives
• Knowledge of IT service management practices (ITIL or similar)
• Experience working in higher education

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for enterprise IT initiatives and advise senior leadership on technology operations, service delivery, and investment alignment.
• Develop and maintain IT policies, procedures, and governance practices in collaboration with campus partners to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Serve as the primary liaison to internal and external stakeholders, representing departmental priorities and fostering effective collaboration.
• Lead and develop professional staff and subordinate managers, promoting operational effectiveness, accountability, and a culture of service excellence.
• Oversee the university’s IT project and service portfolio, including prioritization, governance, performance reporting, and risk management.
• Monitor portfolio health, manage interdependencies, and recommend adjustments to resources, sequencing, or scope.
• Provide executive leadership with regular briefings on portfolio performance, risks, and strategic outcomes.
• Direct IT Professional Services functions—project management, business analysis, communications and training, and service/process management—ensuring consistent methodologies and tools.
• Advance business process improvement, organizational change, and service maturity initiatives in partnership with academic and administrative units.
• Ensure fiscal stewardship and effective allocation of resources.
• Exercise full supervisory authority, including hiring, performance management, and workforce planning.
• Strengthen organizational capability through coaching, training, and professional development.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package
• Contributions toward the cost of several benefit plans
• Extensive leave package including vacation, sick leave (with no expiration), personal holiday, and paid legal holidays

What This Job Offers

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