Director of Operations

The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia; Charlottesville, Virginia, Evanston Township (VA, MN, IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative institution is seeking a Director of Operations for its Research Computing unit. This pivotal role involves leading the design and delivery of high-performance computing services, ensuring alignment with strategic goals while fostering collaboration among diverse teams. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in advanced computing resources and a passion for enhancing research capabilities. With a flexible work environment and a strong focus on operational excellence, this position offers the opportunity to significantly impact the university's research mission.

Benefits

Multiple health plan options

Vision and dental insurance

Life insurance

Savings accounts

22 days of paid time off

12+ paid holidays

8 weeks parental leave

Short-term disability

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development funds

Qualifications

• 11+ years of experience in advanced computing resources.
• Experience leading diverse teams in a technical environment.

Responsibilities

• Set priorities for new infrastructure and coordinate activities.
• Partner with IT directors to identify researcher needs.

Skills

Leadership

Communication Skills

Technical Background in Computing

Interpersonal Skills

Attention to Detail

Education

PhD or Terminal Degree

Relevant Work Experience

Tools

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

Cloud Environments

Cyberinfrastructure

Job description

Research Computing at the University of Virginia (UVA-RC) is seeking candidates for the newly created Director of Operations position.

UVA-RC, a growing unit under the University of Virginia's centralized IT organization (ITS), has a staff of 30 and manages two HPC systems (Rivanna and Afton) along with a broad set of service offerings. The unit focuses on providing researchers across UVA's domains with the computational expertise and resources needed to advance their projects. UVA-RC comprises five teams: Infrastructure, DevOps, User Support, Data Analytics, and Digital Technologies, with expertise ranging from system administration to bioinformatics.

UVA-RC serves a growing community, emphasizing the importance of delivering efficient and reliable foundational services while developing new services to address emerging use cases.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Research Computing (AVP-RC), this senior leadership role will coordinate operational activities within Research Computing, primarily focusing on Infrastructure, DevOps, and User Support. The Director will work closely with the AVP-RC to identify key services and ensure alignment with the University's strategic goals and researcher needs. This includes managing a portfolio of university initiatives where the Director acts as UVA-RC's senior representative.

The ideal candidate will be driven by a passion for advancing the university's research mission, possess experience in communicating effectively with diverse audiences, and have a technical background to lead the design and delivery of computing and storage services.

The Director will have three direct reports and oversee the breadth of Research Computing's mission. A salary line for an intermediate technical role will be provided to support the listed responsibilities.

Responsibilities:

1. Set priorities for new infrastructure purchases in conjunction with the AVP-RC, lead the architecture and design for new infrastructure, and coordinate activities between infrastructure, procurement, and user support teams.

2. Partner with IT directors across UVA's schools and within central IT to identify researcher needs and propose services to meet those needs.

3. Develop charter documentation to guide internal projects, communicate requirements, and track staffing commitments.

4. Identify areas of need and work with the AVP-RC to prioritize investments in staff and infrastructure to maintain a strong operational foundation.

Minimum Requirements:

• At least 11 years of relevant work experience or a combination of relevant experience and education.

• Experience in developing or operating advanced computing resources relevant to high-performance, high-throughput computing, or cyberinfrastructure.

• Leadership and management experience with diverse teams.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences.

• Attention to detail, including documenting policies and requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD or terminal degree with a research-based dissertation.

• Proven collaboration with academic researchers to adapt advanced computing resources for research needs.

• Experience developing scalable services and infrastructure outside classical HPC, such as cloud environments and bursting.

• Ability to build and sustain professional relationships across disciplines and organizational lines.

• Experience designing environments to meet compliance standards like HIPAA or CUI/CMMC.

Research Computing offers a flexible work environment, with staff working mostly on-site or remotely. The position requires on-site presence approximately three days per week at the UVA offices in the Michie North building near central grounds. The HPC infrastructure is housed in the University Data Center (UDC).

Benefits Include:

Multiple health plan options, vision and dental insurance, life insurance, savings accounts, 22 days of paid time off, 12+ paid holidays, 8 weeks parental leave, short-term disability, tuition reimbursement, professional development funds, and more.

Interview Timeline & Application:

Interviews are expected to begin mid-February. To apply, complete an online application at http://jobs.virginia.edu/us/en/ and search for R0068321. Attach your CV/Resume and a cover letter detailing your interest and qualifications. Ensure all documents are uploaded into the CV/Resume box. For questions, contact Bill Crane at [e-mail].