The Senior Director of IT Operations for the School of Nursing (SON) provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and vision for all technology services supporting multiple business units or school. This role is responsible for ensuring that technology infrastructure, applications, and services meet the diverse needs of education, faculty research, clinical partnerships, and administrative operations.
The Senior Director of IT Operations partners closely with university IT leadership, academic deans, faculty, and health system stakeholders to deliver secure, reliable, and innovative technology solutions that enhance teaching, learning, research, and patient care experiences.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Establishes and administers a budget, serves as a technical expert, and may supervise staff who support various operating systems or platforms.
- Develops and executes a technology strategy aligned with the School of Nursing's academic, research, and clinical missions as well as the broader university IT vision.
- Serves as the primary technology advisor to the Dean and leadership team, translating technology trends into actionable strategies for the School.
- Identifies opportunities to leverage technology for academic innovation, inter-professional collaboration, and operational efficiency.
- Oversees day-to-day IT operations, including infrastructure, networks, classroom and simulation center technology, research computing, and end-user support.
- Ensures high service levels for faculty, staff, researchers, and students, with a strong focus on reliability, security, and responsiveness.
- Leads the planning, implementation, and lifecycle management of enterprise and specialized systems, including learning management platforms, electronic health record (EHR) training environments, and research data systems.
- Partners with the Office of Information Technology (OIT) IT leadership on OIT driven initiatives advocating for and representing the needs of the SON.
- Partners with faculty to enable technology-enhanced instruction, simulation-based learning, and hybrid/online program delivery.
- Supports research technology needs, including secure data storage, compliance with research data regulations, and integration with university research computing resources.
- Coordinates technology resources for clinical partnerships, ensuring secure and effective connectivity with health system systems and tools.
- Ensures compliance with applicable regulations and standards, including HIPAA, FERPA, and university IT policies.
- Partners with the university's information security office to implement strong security practices, conduct risk assessments, and respond to incidents as appropriate.
- Develops and manages the School's IT budget, aligning investments with strategic priorities.
- Optimizes use of resources through vendor management, contract negotiation, and leveraging university-wide IT initiatives.
- Leads, mentors, and develops a high-performing IT team that values service, innovation, and collaboration.
- Fosters professional growth opportunities to keep skills aligned with emerging academic and healthcare technologies.
- Builds strong relationships with academic, research, and administrative leaders to anticipate needs and co-create technology solutions.
- Represents the SON in university-wide IT governance, project prioritization, and policy development.
- Performs related responsibilities as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field and eight years of progressive IT leadership experience which includes experience in higher education, healthcare, or research environments.
- Master's degree preferred.
- Proven success in managing complex IT environments with diverse user populations and specialized technology needs.
- Knowledge of academic and healthcare compliance frameworks (HIPAA, FERPA, NIST).
- Experience with simulation technology, instructional design tools, and learning management systems preferred.
- Familiarity with research computing, EHR systems, and integration with healthcare partners desirable.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work across academic, clinical, and administrative domains.
NOTE: Position tasks are generally required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location. Remote work from home day options may be granted at department discretion. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.