Scope and Purpose:The Director of IT is expected to rationalize a dynamic portfolio of Information Technology services; continually assessing organizational goals, challenges, needs, skills and operational ability to deliver services and solutions; engage in high-level organizational staff and space plans; prioritize competing projects to optimize delivery and value; represent University IT department internally, on and off campus.
The Director of IT will define and execute a portfolio of differentiating user-centric services and organize resources and skills to guarantee exceptional delivery; work closely with the senior leadership to create an environment that facilitates agility and the adoption of best-in-class educational, research and electronic record technologies and learning environments; support academic and administrative space renovations to ensure classroom technology enhances collaboration, utility and value; provision enabling end-user technologies to support academic and administrative Staff to deliver high-quality services.
Provides leadership and supervision to the university IT staff and all aspects of the Information Technology Unit - security and operations, systems development, network support, database management, and technical project management. Exercises executive and technical leadership experience in planning, developing and maintaining complex information systems or other advanced technologies. Is responsible for advising on matters related to the use of technology in support of the university’s mission and strategic goals. Leads the university efforts in technology planning, policy development, information security and integrity, and budgeting.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Administers IT policies that directly affect IT staff.Oversee development and administer comprehensible and actionable business continuity policy and plan; incident management policies and plans; sustainable technical asset lifecycle management plan.2. Develops and maintains documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) according to industry best practices for all IT processes and critical IT operations.
3. Implements strategic operating policies and procedures when selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.
Network Infrastructure.
1. Manage the installation, testing, and maintenance of local and wide area network infrastructure.2. Manage network and communication services focusing on design, installation, development, and support of the complex and highly secure university network environments.
3. Manage evaluation, installation, and maintenance of all new and upgraded network security infrastructure (e.g. firewalls, scanners, VPNs, web filters, network switches, voice/phone systems, etc.)
Database and application support.
1. Manage database services and mission critical database applications in support of the faculty research and administrative databases.2. Manage evaluation, installation, maintenance, and new development efforts for the University Enterprise System.
System Security.
1. Manage and coordinate activities related to the security of data maintained on departmental servers.2. Implement and enforce policies regarding the physical access to computers, computer systems, clinical equipment and data.
3. Manage the security of information system access; establish security protocols, firewall standards, and access standards and criteria.
4. Develop and maintain standards for disaster recovery, emergency planning, and business continuity.
May analyze the needs of functional departments and helps to establish priorities for feasibility studies and systems design and implementation to develop new and/or modify information processing systems.
1. Involved in developing long-range plans for all communications networks, and business critical software applications.2. Advises senior management/leadership on matters related to technology and innovation.
3. Elevate customer service, and refresh classroom, lab and clinical technology by aligning university's mission, instructional needs, and student objectives with a portfolio of high-impact classroom services.
4. Manage technical project planning efforts across campus; coordinates with functional departments involved in system requirements, techniques, and controls.
5. Fiduciary responsibilities include preparation of annual budget; ongoing oversight of cost control measures; align spending with strategic priorities.
Establishes and recommends changes to policies which affect the department.
1. Regularly review all IT Policies and Standard Operating Procedures to ensure compliance and appropriate adherence of policy by the entire university.2. Advises senior management on matters concerning several functional areas, department
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
Qualifications:
1. Advanced knowledge of higher education Information Technology issues, technologies, and trends2. In-depth knowledge of information technology trends, policies and procedures, campus initiatives and climate, and issues in higher education.
Skills:
1. Uses and applies applications Information Technology theories and concepts to manage and provide solutions.2. Requires an in-depth knowledge of the applications programming development function.
3. Superior judgment and ability to work autonomously, make excellent management, customer service, and business decisions consistent with the mission of Berkeley Optometry.
4. Skilled in managing the internal information systems functions and data communications.
5. Highly developed problem-solving skills to resolve issues using defined parameters and technical expertise.
6. Understands the technology needs of institutions of Higher Education; skilled at negotiating effectively with stakeholders.
7. Knowledge and skills to determine how the systems and technology function should operate most efficiently and how changes to technology systems will affect outcomes, operations, and business objectives.
8. Knowledge relating to the design of security programs across the campus and familiarity with regulatory requirements regarding data/information
9. Excellent verbal and written communication abilities, including the ability to communicate effectively across the organization at multiple levels both verbally and in writing.
10. Able to communicate highly technical information in a clear and concise manner to both technical and non-technical personnel.
11. Proven ability to build on a collaborative leadership style that inspires talent, fosters professional pride, and results in impressive, shared visions and achievements.
12. Ability to listen to others, to synthesize multiple ideas effectively and incorporate diverse points of view.
13. Proven success and extensive experience in technical service and solution design; technical solution administration and support; technical and operational process analysis, engineering, and re-engineering.
14. Project management skills, including balancing time, budget, and scope in the context of constrained resources and high expectations.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants must submit:
- A cover letter- Curriculum vitae
- Names and contact details of three personal references.
In completing your application, please quote position code number in the email subject line:
Director of IT - DIT/IT/08102019
Information should be sent to careers@auk.edu.kw.Please Note:
- The applicant must possess a valid and transferrable residency in Kuwait.- Only selected candidates will be contacted.
