Senior Director of IT

University of Utah; Utah; On-site; USD 110,000 - 253,000; Full time

Job summary

Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at University of Utah seeks a Senior Director of Information Technology to lead enterprise IT strategy across clinical, research and administrative missions. You will partner with university and health system teams to modernize infrastructure, improve security, and enable AI-enabled research and care.

The role requires a visionary leader who can translate institutional priorities into practical technology solutions, drive multi-site operations, and cultivate a

Qualifications

• Experience aligning IT strategy with institutional priorities.
• Proven ability to lead across clinical, research, and administrative missions.
• Strong governance, performance measurement, and risk management experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a multi-year IT strategy and roadmap aligned with clinical, research, administrative, and growth priorities.
• Lead infrastructure planning for a multi-campus cancer center and Vineyard Campus expansion.
• Oversee cybersecurity, privacy, and risk management to ensure HIPAA/NIST compliance.
• Mature IT service delivery with SLAs, OLAs, KPIs and continuous improvement.
• Recruit, lead, and develop a multi-layer IT organization and foster collaborative leadership.

Skills

Enterprise thinking

Complex problem-solving

Strategic curiosity

Executive partnership

Collaborative leadership

Leader-of-leaders experience

Change leadership

Mission orientation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field

Master’s degree strongly preferred

Job description

Job Summary Information Technology Management Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) is a global leader in cancer research and clinical care and the Mountain West’s only National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. As HCI enters an extraordinary period of growth—including a new state-of-the-art Comprehensive Cancer Center in Vineyard and expanded clinical operations through the University of Utah—technology will be central to how we advance cancer care, accelerate discovery, and expand access across the region.

HCI is seeking an accomplished and forward-thinking Senior Director of Information Technology to help shape that future.

This is an enterprise-wide leadership opportunity for a technology executive who sees IT not simply as an operational function, but as a strategic partner in solving complex organizational challenges and enabling innovation within an embedded technology organization .

The Senior Director will establish and execute a multi-year technology strategy spanning HCI’s clinical, research, and administrative missions while leading a complex, multi-site IT environment. The position oversees the technology capabilities that enable HCI’s clinical, research, and administrative missions, including infrastructure, cybersecurity, networking, digital collaboration, research computing, service delivery, and emerging digital technologies.

The role is crucial to ensuring that technology capabilities remain closely aligned with HCI’s unique combination of research, clinical care, education, and operational objectives while leveraging the strengths of broader University and Health System technology partnerships.

Just as importantly, the Senior Director will work closely with HCI leaders, researchers, clinicians, administrators, and enterprise partners to identify opportunities where technology can fundamentally improve how HCI operates, conducts research, and delivers cancer care.

Why HCI Huntsman Cancer Institute is entering a transformative period of growth and innovation. The Senior Director of Information Technology will have an opportunity to help build the technology environment that supports that future—from the systems and infrastructure underlying day-to-day operations to the emerging capabilities that will enable the next generation of cancer research and care.

HCI increasingly depends upon technology capabilities that connect research, clinical care, education, and operations. The Senior Director will help ensure those capabilities evolve in ways that advance institutional priorities while supporting innovation, growth, and operational excellence.

Our work is driven by a shared commitment to transform the prevention, detection, treatment, and understanding of cancer. Our mission is to deliver a cancer-free frontier through science, compassion, and innovation , while our vision is to be a global leader in cancer prevention, treatment, research, and education .

Achieving that vision requires more than scientific and clinical excellence—it requires an environment where people, technology, data, and innovation come together to advance what is possible. HCI is uniquely positioned at the intersection of world‑class cancer research, patient care, education, and discovery, creating opportunities to make a meaningful impact across the cancer continuum.

As a member of the HCI leadership team, the Senior Director of Information Technology will play an important role in enabling this mission—strengthening the technology foundation that supports our researchers, clinicians, educators, staff, and patients while helping HCI thoughtfully embrace emerging technologies and new opportunities for innovation.

Join us in building the technology environment that will help shape the future of cancer care and discovery.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget. Responsibilities HCI is looking for a leader who can connect technology strategy to institutional strategy .

The successful candidate will bring strong operational discipline while also engaging deeply with emerging opportunities in artificial intelligence, data, digital health, research technology, clinical innovation, engineering, and complex process improvement.

Representative Strategic Opportunities Include

• Enterprise Technology Modernization – advancing cybersecurity, identity management, cloud, automation, systems integration, and scalable platforms in support of HCI’s dynamic growth
• AI & Digital Transformation – moving promising ideas into engineered, scalable solutions across clinical care, research, and administrative operations
• Research Computing & Data Enablement – developing the computing, data, integration, and analytics capabilities needed to accelerate AI-enabled research and scientific discovery
• Clinical & Engineering Partnerships – working directly with clinical departments such as Radiation Oncology where technology, engineering, analytics, instrumentation, and clinical workflows intersect
• Vineyard Campus Technology Development – helping architect the technology foundation for a new cancer campus, including infrastructure, security, integration, digital workflows, and emerging AI capabilities.
• Cross-enterprise collaboration – building strong partnerships across HCI, University of Utah, University of Utah Health, research administration, clinical operations, and other institutional stakeholders to advance shared priorities.

The specific portfolio of strategic initiatives will evolve with institutional priorities. The Senior Director will be expected to identify opportunities, build partnerships, establish priorities, and translate complex technology challenges into practical, scalable solutions.

What You Will Lead Enterprise IT Strategy, Governance & Transformation

• Develop and execute a multi-year IT strategy and roadmap aligned with HCI’s clinical, research, administrative, and growth priorities.
• Establish technology priorities that anticipate the needs of a rapidly expanding, multi-campus cancer center.
• Mature IT governance, policies, standards, architecture, and operating models.
• Establish clear service expectations, performance metrics, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and Operational Level Agreements (OLAs).
• Serve as a strategic advisor to HCI leadership on technology opportunities, risks, investments, and emerging trends.

Digital Infrastructure & Multi-Campus Technology

• Provide strategic oversight of enterprise infrastructure, including data centers, hybrid cloud, storage, virtualization, endpoint management, and collaboration platforms.
• Lead technology planning and implementation for HCI’s expanding footprint, including the Vineyard Campus and West Valley clinical operations.
• Partner with University of Utah IT and University of Utah Health IT to ensure technology environments are scalable, secure, interoperable, and aligned.
• Modernize enterprise collaboration, audiovisual, conferencing, classroom, and event technology to create a consistent and high-quality experience across HCI locations.

Clinical, Research & Digital Innovation

• Partner with clinical leaders and University of Utah Health IT to align technology capabilities with HCI’s specialized oncology workflows and clinical priorities.
• Lead research IT strategy in partnership with Institute leadership and the research community.
• Support high-performance computing, secure data environments, scientific software, data‑intensive research, and compliant research workflows.
• Create an environment in which researchers, clinicians, and operational leaders can responsibly explore emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• Help establish practical pathways for evaluating, piloting, governing, and scaling technology solutions.
• Identify opportunities to use technology, data, and automation to improve complex workflows and organizational processes.

AI, Data & Emerging Technology

• Help position HCI to responsibly capitalize on rapid advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and digital health.
• Partner with clinical, research, analytics, and administrative leaders to identify high‑value opportunities for technology‑enabled innovation.
• Advance data governance, interoperability, security, and responsible use of AI‑enabled capabilities.
• Collaborate with University of Utah and University of Utah Health technology and security teams to establish appropriate safeguards for emerging technologies.
• Balance innovation with privacy, security, regulatory, ethical, and operational considerations.

Cybersecurity, Privacy & Risk

• Provide strategic oversight of cybersecurity, enterprise risk management, monitoring, vulnerability management, incident response, and security awareness.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, NIST frameworks, institutional policies, and applicable research regulations.
• Lead continued maturation of infrastructure and operating models supporting NIST 800‑171 compliance, including identity and role‑based access management, physical and logical access controls, secure facilities and enclaves, protected data storage, and compliant workflows.
• Partner with institutional cybersecurity leadership to strengthen HCI’s security posture while enabling innovation.

IT Service Delivery & Operational Excellence

• Ensure reliable, responsive, user‑centered IT services across HCI’s multi‑site enterprise.
• Mature ITIL‑aligned processes for incident, problem, change, and service management.
• Establish and monitor service performance metrics and continuously improve the technology experience for faculty, researchers, clinicians, staff, and patients.
• Build an IT culture centered on responsiveness, accessibility, accountability, partnership, and solution‑oriented problem solving.

Financial, Vendor & Portfolio Leadership

• Manage and strategically align HCI’s academic and clinical IT budgets.
• Lead capital planning and technology portfolio management, balancing institutional priorities, operational needs, risk, and return on investment.
• Oversee vendor relationships, procurement, contract performance, and technology lifecycle management.
• Ensure technology investments deliver measurable strategic and operational value.

People Leadership & Organizational Culture

• Lead and develop a multi‑layer IT organization through subordinate directors, managers, and professional staff.
• Build leadership capacity, succession plans, and a culture of continuous development.
• Recruit, retain, and develop high‑performing technology professionals.
• Establish an environment where technology professionals are trusted partners who translate institutional goals into practical capabilities, services, and solutions that advance HCI’s mission.
• Model collaborative leadership across a complex academic and clinical matrix.

Business Continuity & Resilience

• Lead disaster recovery strategy, testing, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure technology resilience is aligned with clinical, research, and institutional priorities.
• Participate in institutional emergency preparedness and response activities.

Enterprise Partnerships The Senior Director Will Serve As a Senior Technology Partner Across a Highly Collaborative And Matrixed Organization, Building Trusted Relationships With

• HCI executive and senior leadership
• University of Utah IT and University of Utah Health IT
• Clinical and operational leaders
• Research investigators and research administration
• Cybersecurity, privacy, compliance, and risk partners
• Academic and administrative departments
• External technology partners and industry collaborators

Success in this environment requires connecting technology capabilities to mission outcomes through strong partnerships across HCI, University of Utah, University of Utah Health, and external collaborators.

Why HCI Huntsman Cancer Institute is entering a transformative period of growth and innovation. The Senior Director of Information Technology will have an opportunity to help build the technology environment that supports that future-from the systems and infrastructure underlying day‑to‑day operations to the emerging capabilities that will enable the next generation of cancer research and care.

HCI increasingly depends upon technology capabilities that connect research, clinical care, education, and operations. The Senior Director will help ensure those capabilities evolve in ways that advance institutional priorities while supporting innovation, growth, and operational excellence.

Our work is driven by a shared commitment to transform the prevention, detection, treatment, and understanding of cancer. Our mission is to deliver a cancer‑free frontier through science, compassion, and innovation , while our vision is to be a global leader in cancer prevention, treatment, research, and education .

Achieving that vision requires more than scientific and clinical excellence‑it requires an environment where people, technology, data, and innovation come together to advance what is possible. HCI is uniquely positioned at the intersection of world‑class cancer research, patient care, education, and discovery, creating opportunities to make a meaningful impact across the cancer continuum.

As a member of the HCI leadership team, the Senior Director of Information Technology will play an important role in enabling this mission‑strengthening the technology foundation that supports our researchers, clinicians, educators, staff, and patients while helping HCI thoughtfully embrace emerging technologies and new opportunities for innovation.

Join us in building the technology environment that will help shape the future of cancer care and discovery.

Minimum Qualifications EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels: Senior Director, Information Technology Management : Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) 14 years or a master’s (or equivalency) 12 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences We are seeking a technology leader who combines enterprise perspective, operational credibility, curiosity, and exceptional relationship‑building skills .

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; master’s degree strongly preferred.
• 12 years of progressively responsible IT leadership experience, including experience leading multiple functional areas through subordinate leaders.
• Demonstrated success overseeing technology strategy, enterprise infrastructure, cybersecurity, multi‑site operations, and service delivery in a complex and highly regulated environment.
• Experience leading significant organizational or technology transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across complex organizational boundaries and stakeholder groups.

Knowledge & Technical Expertise

• Deep understanding of multiple IT domains, such as infrastructure, networking, cloud, cybersecurity, research computing, data, digital collaboration, or enterprise applications.
• Strong working knowledge of HIPAA, NIST, institutional IT governance, and regulated research environments.
• Experience implementing or maturing IT service management practices, including SLAs, OLAs, KPIs, and continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with clinical technology, research computing, secure data environments, artificial intelligence, or digital health is strongly preferred.

Skills Leadership & Strategic Capabilities Success in this role involves exceptional relationship-building skills and the ability to bring stakeholders together around common goals and institutional priorities. The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Enterprise thinking – the ability to see beyond individual technology systems and connect IT strategy to institutional priorities.
• Complex problem-solving – the ability to understand ambiguous, cross-functional challenges and develop practical solutions.
• Strategic curiosity – an interest in emerging technologies and the ability to distinguish meaningful opportunities from technology for technology’s sake.
• Executive partnership – the ability to communicate complex technology issues clearly and influence decisions at the highest levels of the organization.
• Collaborative leadership – a demonstrated ability to build trust and consensus across clinical, research, academic, and administrative environments.
• Leader‑of‑leaders experience – demonstrated success hiring, developing, coaching, and empowering a multi‑layer technology organization.
• Change leadership – the ability to lead organizations through growth, modernization, transformation, and evolving technology landscapes.
• Mission orientation – a genuine interest &a\;using technology to advance cancer research, improve patient care, and reduce human suffering.

Special Instructions Requisition Number: PRN46432B

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Work Schedule Summary Department: 01249 – HCI – IT

Location: Campus

Pay Rate Range: 110,391 to 253,250

Close Date: 12/31/2026

Open Until Filled