Associate IT Director OR IT Director, Research Platforms
**Information Technology Services intends to hire either an IT Manager (PIM1) or an IT Director (PIM2), based on the qualifications of the successful candidate. **
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.
Duties include (but are not limited to):
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.
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.
Duties include (but are not limited to):
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.
Overseeing departmental budget.
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 melanie-bell@uiowa.edu.
Associate Director
Required Qualifications:
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) 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.
Demonstrated ability to provide technical direction and make technical decisions for complex infrastructure services.
Experience successfully managing projects and initiatives with cross-functional teams, with competing deadlines.
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.
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.
Desirable Qualifications:
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
Director
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in a field relevant to the position or an equivalent combination of education and related experience
Experience (typically 7 years or more) 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.
Prior experience supervising a team of technical staff, including coaching, performance feedback, work assignment, and team development.
Prior experience supporting Linux/Unix, preferably in an HPC environment.
Demonstrated ability to provide strategic & technical direction and make high-level decisions for complex infrastructure services.
Experience successfully managing complex projects and initiatives with cross-functional teams, with competing deadlines.
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.
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.
Desirable Qualifications:
Master's degree in a field relevant to the position.
Familiarity with security, compliance, audit, data protection, or regulatory considerations in research or enterprise infrastructure environments.
Prior budget management experience
Application Details:
In order to be considered, applicants must upload the following materials and mark them as “Relevant File” to the submission:
Resume
Cover letter
Information Technology Services will be hiring for one level listed within this requisition, depending on the qualifications of the successful finalist.
You must indicate in your cover letter the classification (Associate Director or Director) you wish to be considered for or indicate both. Please see required qualifications above for additional information.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
For questions or additional information, please contact melanie-bell@uiowa.edu.
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success.
Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.
Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.
Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution while we build the next generations of foundational research infrastructure.
Equal opportunity employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
