Senior Director of Cloud Applications

San Francisco Bay Region Network; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total compensation package

Comprehensive benefits

On-campus role

Job summary

San Francisco State University is seeking a Senior Director of Cloud Applications to lead the Cloud Applications team across CSUEB, SFSU, and SSU. The role focuses on deployment, integration, lifecycle management, and optimization of cloud platforms to support academic and administrative missions.

The position requires strong leadership, governance, and collaboration with IT leadership, compliance officers, and external vendors to deliver secure, scalable, user-centered cloud services.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in cloud application management or similar
• 5+ years in a leadership role in service-oriented environments
• Experience in higher education or multi-campus organizations preferred

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations, configuration, integration, and lifecycle management of cloud applications
• Ensure cloud environments are secure, reliable, and compliant with regulations
• Lead, mentor, and develop Cloud Applications team
• Maintain SLAs and drive continuous improvement and automation
• Collaborate with IT leadership and campus stakeholders on digital transformation

Skills

Cloud architecture

Team leadership

Compliance and security

Stakeholder communications

Incident management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in information systems, CS, or related field

Master’s degree in information systems or related field

Tools

AWS/Azure/Google Cloud

Job description

Position Summary

Reporting to the Network Chief Information Officer, the Senior Director of Cloud Applications provides strategic leadership for the Network’s cloud-based application ecosystem across the San Francisco Bay Region Network ("SFBRN" or "the Network"), which serves California State University, East Bay (CSUEB), San Francisco State University (SFSU), and Sonoma State University (SSU). This position oversees the Cloud Applications team responsible for the daily operations, configuration, integration, and continuous optimization of the Network’s cloud platforms and services.

The Senior Director ensures that all cloud environments are robust, secure, and designed to support the academic and administrative missions of the Network universities. This leader drives the deployment, integration, customization, and lifecycle management of cloud applications; establishes best practices for system reliability and user support; and champions innovation in cloud technology adoption.

Through proactive collaboration with IT leadership, campus stakeholders, compliance officers, and technology vendors, the Senior Director promotes operational excellence, user satisfaction, and alignment with institutional strategy. This role empowers teams to deliver secure, scalable, and user-centered solutions that enhance efficiency and resilience, positioning the Network as a leader in cloud transformation within higher education.

Position Information

The San Francisco Bay Region Network (SFBRN) provides centralized administrative and transactional functions for CSUEB, SFSU, and SSU, creating a unified, cost-effective operational structure.

The Information Technology unit within the Network delivers secure, reliable, and innovative technology solutions that support all three universities. The unit manages infrastructure, application services, user support, information security, data management, and strategic IT operations. Partnering closely with each university’s leadership, including Presidents and Provosts, Information Technology drives digital transformation, promotes operational excellence, and supports institutional goals.

Within IT, the Cloud Applications team develops, implements, and maintains the software systems that power the Network’s academic and administrative operations. Operating under a product-based model, the team assigns dedicated resources to specific application portfolios, ensuring deep expertise and accountability. Responsibilities include managing application releases, coordinating updates and patches maintaining mobile apps and web platforms, and ensuring reliable access to digital resources. By delivering user-centered and innovative services, the Applicants team enhances digital engagement and supports the teaching, learning, and administrative missions of each Network university.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Management and Guidance

• Manages the daily operations of cloud applications, including deployment, configuration, maintenance, integration, performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and lifecycle management of cloud-based systems and tools.
• Exercises authority to make operational decisions related to cloud applications, escalating complex or high-impact issues to the Network CIO as needed.
• Oversees prompt and effective resolution of cloud application incidents, changes, releases, and service requests, ensuring optimal performance, high service availability, and compliance with technology best practices.
• Empowers team to engage with the Network Support Center team to address cloud application–related inquiries, efficiently delegating tasks to the appropriate Network personnel as required.
• Maintains working knowledge of CSU Administrative Manual (ICSUAM) policies, state, and federal regulations related to cloud technologies and services. Assists Network staff in ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Leadership, Management, and Supervision

• Leads, manages, and supervises the Cloud Applications team, providing guidance, direction, and mentorship; fostering a positive work environment; and ensuring alignment of team goals with the Network’s overall strategy and objectives.
• Manages the development of team members by helping them set and achieve career growth goals.
• Fosters an inclusive environment that values differences and creates a sense of belonging and appreciation for team members.
• Leads by example, demonstrating ethics and high accountability, and actively drives the process of embedding Network values and behaviors.
• Contributes to a culture of trust and transparency and drives best-in-class customer service through effective team engagement.
• Manages direct reports in adherence to Human Resources and institutional policies and procedures; handles personnel management tasks in coordination with HR, including selecting, training, guiding, and evaluating staff, ensuring staff effectively and equitably serve the needs of all Network universities.
• Takes corrective action as required, recommends salary actions, promotions, and terminations, and participates in recruitment and orientation of new employees.

Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement

• Builds and maintains strong relationships with customers, partners, and stakeholders to ensure that consistent, reliable cloud application services are delivered to all stakeholders.
• Monitors and enforces service level agreements (SLAs) for the cloud applications unit.
• Identifies opportunities to streamline workflows, eliminate redundancies, leverage automation, and improve user experience within cloud application management.
• Works collaboratively with the IT leadership to implement new technologies or process enhancements.
• Tracks and reports on key performance indicators (KPIs), metrics, and dashboards for cloud applications.
• Keeps up to date with changes in laws, regulations, and technologies that may affect cloud applications and informs senior management and staff.

Communications and Training

• Leads the development and maintenance of comprehensive documentation of university and Network cloud application policies, processes, and systems, promoting consistency across the Network universities.
• Ensures crucial technical knowledge is accessible and understood by relevant stakeholders.
• Cultivates a culture of mentorship and continuous skill development within the organization.
• Champions initiatives that encourage knowledge sharing, coaching, and on-the-job learning.
• Ensures end-user communications are timely, transparent, and helpful.
• Maintains consistent communication with direct reports and senior leaders to resolve escalations and provide updates.
• Communicates with Network universities and other Network leadership to safely support the Network’s cloud application needs.

Other

• Contributes to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion across the organization.
• Promotes the organization’s core values and consistently integrates innovation, employee fulfillment, teamwork, respect, excellence, integrity, service, and accountability into all aspects of work.
• Complies with Network, university, and unit policies and procedures regarding privacy of information, authorized use of Network resources, and the security of Network systems and data.
• Demonstrates safe work practices for oneself, others, and the office environment.
• Performs other related responsibilities as requested and when necessary. The Network reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Unit Overview

The San Francisco Bay Region Network (SFBRN) provides centralized administrative and transactional functions for CSUEB, SFSU, and SSU, creating a unified, cost-effective operational structure.

The Information Technology unit within the Network delivers secure, reliable, and innovative technology solutions that support all three universities. The unit manages infrastructure, application services, user support, information security, data management, and strategic IT operations. Partnering closely with each university's leadership, including Presidents and Provosts, Information Technology drives digital transformation, promotes operational excellence, and supports institutional goals.

Within IT, the Cloud Applications team develops, implements, and maintains the software systems that power the Network's academic and administrative operations. Operating under a product-based model, the team assigns dedicated resources to specific applications portfolios, ensuring deep expertise and accountability. Responsibilities include managing application releases, coordinating updates and patches maintaining mobile apps and web platforms, and ensuring reliable access to digital resources. By delivering user-centered and innovative services, the Applicants team enhances digital engagement and supports the teaching, learning, and administrative missions of each Network university.

Qualifications

Experience

• 7 years - Progressively responsible experience in cloud application management, enterprise application administration, software deployment, or related roles. - Required
• 5 years - Experience leading teams in a management or leadership role, particularly in a service-oriented environment. - Required
• 5 years - Experience working in higher education, multi-campus systems, or similarly complex public sector organizations. - Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated success supervising or mentoring technical staff. - Required
• Strong understanding of cloud architecture, application deployment, integrations, and best practices for system reliability/security. - Required
• Knowledge of change management, incident management, and lifecycle support for cloud solutions. - Required
• Familiarity with compliance, regulatory, and privacy requirements for cloud and digital applications. - Required
• Effective oral and written communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences. - Required
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, service requests, and priorities in a fast-paced environment. - Required
• Experience with documentation, process improvement, and knowledge sharing. - Required

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in information systems, computer science, business administration, or a related field. In lieu of a degree, five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in cloud application management or deployment, including staff supervision. - Required
• Master’s degree in information systems, computer science, or a related field. - Preferred

Certifications

• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Administrator, Salesforce Administrator, Google Cloud Professional, ITIL, etc.) - Preferred

Special Conditions of Employment

• Must pass a background check.
• Position may require travel among Network universities, as needed, to support operational and collaborative needs.
• Position is a 24-hour on-call position in case of emergencies and critical Network needs.

Pre-Employment Requirements

This position requires the successful completion of a background check.

Eligibility to Work

Applicants must be able to provide proof of US Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, within three business days from their date of hire.

Benefits

• Threaded through our Total Compensation package is a commitment to Bridging Life's Transitions. SF State is committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive program that rewards efforts that are appreciated by your colleagues, students and the customers we serve.
• We offer a competitive compensation package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Pension, 401k, Healthcare Savings Account, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Vacation and Sick Leave as well as State Holidays and a dynamic Fee Waiver program, all geared towards the University's commitment to attract, motivate and retain our employee.

Equal Opportunity Employer

San Francisco State is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager.

Applicants may visit titleix.sfsu.edu for more information on SF State's policy prohibiting discrimination, and how to file an online report using the procedures under Executive Order 1096 Revised. Inquiries can be directed to the campus Title IX Coordinator and Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Administrator by calling [phone] or emailing [e-mail].

San Francisco State is a 100% Smoke/Vapor-Free Campus. Smoking or Vaping of any tobacco/plant-based substance is not permitted on any University properties.

The person holding this position may be considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

This position may be a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position may be required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Additional Information

SF STATE IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (i.e. H1-B VISAS).

Thank you for your interest in employment with California State University (CSU). CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California. Because of this, CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California with very limited exception. While this position may be eligible for occasional telework, all work is expected to be performed in the state of California, and this position is assigned to on-campus operations.

Pursuant to Education Code Section 89521, the CSU is required to contact the current and/or former employer(s) of an applicant in the final stages of the recruitment process and make a reasonable attempt to obtain information regarding any prior misconduct within the last seven years.

CSU strongly encourages faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/.

The Human Resources office is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and can be reached at [phone].

Please note that this position, position requirements, application deadline and/or any other component of this position is subject to change or cancellation at any time.