Director, Academic Technology Services and Operations

29-Jan-2024

Harvard University Information Technology

64917BR

Position Description

Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is a community of Information Technology professionals committed to delivering service and technological solutions in support of teaching, learning, research and administration.  We are recruiting an IT workforce that has both breadth in their ability to collaborate and innovate across disciplines – and depth in specific areas of expertise. HUIT offers opportunities for IT professionals to learn and work in a unique technology landscape and service-focused environment. If you are a technically proficient, nimble, user-focused, and accountable IT professional who also connects with the importance of collaborating well in a team environment, we are looking for you!

Academic Technology supports teaching and learning, across schools and units at Harvard. Reporting to the Managing Director of Academic Technology, the Director of Academic Technology Services and Operations will lead the service offerings and service capabilities that support teaching and learning across the University. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of academic technology needs and the platforms offered by Academic Technology.  They will work within a fast-paced, team environment and will need to build and maintain relationships across the University.  They will be responsible for the following areas deliver in the following areas:

Service Management

• Define, optimize, and maintaining services for teaching and learning.   
• Define and achieve operational excellence for the service teams within Academic Technology 

Vendor Management 

• Manage vendor relationships and budgets. 
• Set up and attend quarterly business reviews with academic technology vendors to ensure vendor offerings are meeting the university needs and to proactively request and learn about new features. 
• Constantly evaluate the academic technology vendor landscape to determine if we are optimally serving the needs of our constituents. 

Communications and Outreach 

• Position AT as a proactive partner with FAS and university-wide faculty and instructional staff 
• Lead the Academic Technology Advisory Board 
• Effectively communicate service offerings, updates, and issues through newsletters, websites, and email notifications 
• Represent Academic Technology at meetings throughout HUIT and across the University 

Management 

• Build a culture of service, flexibility, and adaptability within the service functions of academic technology 
• Provide an excellent employee experience to the service teams responsible for tier 2 and 3 support.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience
• Supervisory experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Proven ability to establish and cultivate relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels, and ability to communicate to technical and non-technical audiences. 
 
• Has strong communication skills, including the ability to engage with stakeholders to understand their business and operations requirements, and strong organizational skills and is detail oriented.
 
• Possesses excellent critical thinking skills and has a flexible approach to problem solving. 
• Is highly adaptable to a changing environment and priorities.  
• Experience working with teaching and learning technologies, including but not limited to: Canvas, Confluence, Panopto, Poll Everywhere, Qualtrics, and Slack.

Certificates and Licenses

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy specified foundational courses (or external equivalent) preferred

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting

Additional Information

Please provide a cover letter with your application.

Please note:

• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screening. 
• We are unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship. 
• This position has a 180-day orientation and review period. 

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Accessibility: 
Harvard University welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request an accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact our University Disability Resources Department. 

Work Format Details

HUIT actively supports hybrid work where business needs allow. This position will require the hire to be onsite on a regular basis based on business needs and the nature of work. Examples include client meetings, bi-annual or quarterly Town Halls, critical business meetings or other work events, and the hire must live in a commutable state (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, New York). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

About Us

More about HUIT:
Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is responsible for the strategy, planning, and delivery of information technology across the University.  Our mission is to assure Harvard’s leadership in IT. We strive to make it easier for faculty, students, and staff to teach, research, learn and work through the effective use of information technology.  HUIT’s core values are User Focused, Collaborative, Innovative and Open.

HUIT’s core values are: 

• User-focused 
• Collaborative 
• Innovative 
• Open 

IT Academy (designed for IT Staff):
HUIT’s IT Academy aims to enable each IT staff person to grow professionally and become a trusted partner to her or his team. The IT Academy is built on the belief that every IT staff member across the University (including technology employees at each school and campus) can grow in her or his area of expertise as well as building strong people and project management skills. Learn more here: https://itacademy.harvard.edu/  

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Information Technology

Department Office Location

USA – MA – Cambridge

Job Code

I0760M Applications Mgt VI

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Department

Academic Technology

Union

00 – Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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