Senior Director, Mission Service Delivery

The Pennsylvania State University; Ferguson Township (PA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 233,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

Penn State seeks a Senior Director, Mission Service Delivery to lead enterprise IT services across the Mission portfolio. The role partners with SMO and capability teams to ensure reliable, secure services and measurable value for the university.

Requires a Bachelor's degree and 10+ years in relevant IT leadership, including 5+ years supervising teams; hybrid on-site work with campus presence at University Park and occasional travel.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in IT leadership and service delivery.
• Experience leading 20+ employee teams with cross-functional collaboration.
• Background in product management or product/service delivery leadership preferred.
• Experience with enterprise-scale service delivery and continuous improvement.
• Experience implementing ITSM practices, governance, and service performance management.
• Proven ability to build relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Strong communication, strategic planning, problem-solving and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead service delivery operations across the Mission portfolio with executive oversight of Service Managers.
• Coordinate cross-functional service delivery and workforce planning across organizational boundaries.
• Lead implementation and adoption of enterprise service management practices with SMO and capability teams.
• Ensure consistent execution of service management processes across the service lifecycle.
• Lead customer experience and service adoption initiatives to drive measurable business value.
• Oversee service communications and act as executive escalation point for critical issues.

Skills

Leadership experience

Managing large teams

Product management

Enterprise service delivery

ITSM practices

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

As part of the Penn State IT’s Optimized Service Team project, IT is implementing a new operating model designed to enhance service delivery, operational efficiency and collaboration across the university. Penn State is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as the Senior Director, Mission Service Delivery. The Senior Director, Mission Service Delivery provides executive leadership for the operational delivery of enterprise IT services across the Mission portfolio. This role is accountable for leading Service Managers, driving operational excellence, enhancing customer experience, and ensuring the consistent delivery of reliable, secure, and high-quality IT services. The position collaborates closely with the Senior Director overseeing Service Owners, the Service Management Office (SMO), and Capability Team leadership to ensure the effective adoption of enterprise service management practices, alignment between services and capabilities, and successful execution of service roadmaps and operational priorities. This leader is responsible for fostering a service-oriented culture, aligning talent and resources with service needs, and ensuring services deliver measurable value to the University.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead service delivery operations across the Mission portfolio by providing executive oversight of Service Managers, ensuring consistent operational practices, service performance, accountability, and effective execution of day-to-day IT services.
• Coordinate cross-functional service delivery and workforce planning by partnering across organizational boundaries to align resources, define service team needs, and support staffing strategies that enable reliable and efficient service delivery.
• Lead the implementation and adoption of enterprise service management practices by partnering with the Service Management Office to advance ITSM standards, processes, governance, and continuous improvement initiatives across the Mission portfolio.
• Ensure consistent execution of service management processes throughout the service lifecycle by driving operational discipline and adoption of Incident, Problem, Change, Release, Major Incident, Request, Knowledge, and Service Transition Management practices across service delivery teams.
• Lead customer experience and service adoption initiatives by leveraging stakeholder insights to improve service engagement, increase customer satisfaction, drive adoption, and ensure services deliver measurable business value.
• Oversee service communications and serve as the executive escalation point for critical service issues, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement, coordinated messaging, timely issue resolution, and operational accountability across the Mission portfolio.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Significant progressive leadership experience in information technology, service delivery, IT operations, service management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading large, complex teams (20+ employees), including managers and cross‑functional teams, with accountability for organizational performance, talent development, and operational outcomes in a complex, preferably higher education or similarly decentralized environment.
• Experience with product management, product‑oriented operating models, or leading product and service delivery teams preferred.
• Experience overseeing enterprise‑scale service delivery, operational performance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience implementing and advancing IT service management practices, operational governance, and service performance management.
• Proven ability to build relationships, influence decision‑making, and collaborate effectively with senior leaders, stakeholders, and technical teams.
• Excellent communication, strategic planning, problem‑solving, and organizational leadership skills.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree 10+ years of relevant experience, includes 5+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Required Certifications: None

LOCATION

This position follows a hybrid work model with some remote work flexibility. A weekly on‑site presence at the University Park campus will be required. Occasional travel to Commonwealth Campuses and other Penn State locations may be required.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $150,204.00 - $232,776.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees designed to support both personal and professional well‑being.

• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR).

The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging.

We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive.

We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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