Director, Managed Servers and DevOps

04-Nov-2021

Harvard University Information Technology

56200BR

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Director, Managed Servers and DevOps

Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is a community of Information Technology professionals committed to delivering service and technological solutions in support of teaching, learning, research and administration.  We are recruiting an IT workforce that has both breadth in their ability to collaborate and innovate across disciplines – and depth in specific areas of expertise. HUIT offers opportunities for IT professionals to learn and work in a unique technology landscape and service-focused environment. If you are a technically proficient, nimble, user-focused, and accountable IT professional who also connects with the importance of collaborating well in a team environment, we are looking for you! 

Technology Partner Services (TPS) delivers critical cloud, infrastructure, and network services to Harvard University. As the leader for the DevOps service delivery organization, the Director is accountable for all stages of the services lifecycle: strategy/roadmap development, service, design, transition, operations, and continuous improvement, for on-premises and cloud managed computing environments. This Director is accountable for coordinating and managing escalating communications, resolution of incidents, problems, and changes by the team, including major incident escalation and ownership. Participates in TPS project and portfolio planning cycles. Serves on HUIT, University-wide and higher education committees for technology.

The Director leads annual service planning, including budget and rate development for Cloud and on-premises services, working in partnership with University partners and the HUIT Vendor management office to manage key University infrastructure contracts.

The Director engages with HUIT senior leadership, key customer contacts, and relevant governance groups to effectively balance customer priorities, operational work, and security requirements. Critical success factors for this role are effective resource management of the team, clear communications, and building trust with both partners and customers.

The Director directly manages 3-4 managers and indirectly 15-20 staff as well as contractors. They are charged with building and leading a high-performing management team, to include formal and informal training to develop news skills for cloud, DevOps, and automation goals, and ensuring the team grows deep infrastructure technology skills in Windows, Linux, and database technologies.

Using the TPS portfolio management process, the Director will prioritize and coordinate team activities with its key partners, with special emphasis building partnership across HUIT and evolving the service offering based on feedback.

Job Specific Responsibilities: 

• Lead long term strategic planning and actively contribute to enterprise-wide initiatives
• Responsible for effective staff management, including hiring and orientation, training, and development, workflow and performance management, and the promotion of an inclusive and innovative work environment
• Define technical direction ensuring stability, reliability, and integration
• Direct and oversee development of robust and secure IT solutions
• Lead long term strategic planning and actively contribute to enterprise-wide initiatives
• Establish and maintain internal/external stakeholder relationships
• Develop, define and implement guidelines and standards
• Abide by and follow the Harvard University IT technical standards, policies and Code of Conduct

Typical Core Duties

• Responsible for effective staff management, including hiring and orientation, training and development, workflow and performance management, and the promotion of an inclusive and innovative work environment
• Participate fully in the build, configuration and documentation of IT infrastructure
• Define technical direction ensuring stability, reliability and integration
• Direct and oversee development of robust and secure IT solutions
• Lead long term strategic planning and actively contribute to enterprise wide initiatives
• Establish and maintain internal/external stakeholder relationships
• Develop, define and implement guidelines and standards
• Abide by and follow the Harvard University IT technical standards, policies and Code of Conduct

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience
• Supervisory experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following Additional Qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.

• BA and minimum of 7-10 years staff and IT management experience of systems administration, database, DevOps and/or Cloud service staff
• Demonstrated ability to lead change; develop budgets/rate models
• Exceptional written, interpersonal, and presentation communication skills
• Project management skills demonstrated and the ability to manage through influence and negotiation.
• Broad knowledge of Cloud and DevOps concepts, standards, tools automation and coding
• Experience with ITIL and adoption of standard service management practices, Agile development methodology, technology trends and their applicability in a university setting

Certificates and Licenses

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy specified foundational courses (or external equivalent) preferred

Working Conditions

Interview and onboarding activity for this position may be conducted via telephone & Zoom video conferencing, based on the department’s current presence on campus.

Harvard is an on-campus community and all positions are based in Massachusetts. We currently expect that employees in Technology Partner Services  will work remotely through Fall, 2021. Effective October 1st, as a condition of continued employment, all work must be performed in a state where Harvard is registered to do business (CA, CT, MA, MD, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT).

HUIT  is currently developing hybrid workplace models which actively support remote work (within a Harvard registered state) where business and team needs allow. Any remote scheduling of your work, agreed to by your supervisor, will need to be in a state in which Harvard is registered as an employer as a condition of continued employment.  Individual flexible and remote work options for this role will may discussed during the interview process.

Harvard will require COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members who will have any on-campus presence. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement and exceptions may be found at the University’s COVID-19 Vaccine Information webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/ .

Harvard continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of its faculty, staff and students, as well as the wider community. Information and details can be found via Harvard’s Coronavirus Workplace Policies website: https://hr.harvard.edu/corona-virus-workplace-policies .

Additional Information

Please provide a cover letter with your application and upload as one document.

Please note:

• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screening.
• We are unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship.
• This position has a 180-day orientation and review period. 

More about HUIT:
Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is responsible for the strategy, planning, and delivery of information technology across the University.  Our mission is to assure Harvard’s leadership in IT. We strive to make it easier for faculty, students, and staff to teach, research, learn and work through the effective use of information technology.  HUIT’s core values are User Focused, Collaborative, Innovative and Open.

IT Academy (designed for IT Staff):
HUIT’s IT Academy aims to enable each IT staff person to grow professionally and become a trusted partner to her or his team. The IT Academy is built on the belief that every IT staff member across the University (including technology employees at each school and campus) can grow in her or his area of expertise as well as building strong people and project management skills. Learn more here: https://itacademy.harvard.edu/   

Total Rewards:
Harvard’s Total Rewards Program is designed to attract, retain, and reward the performance of talented employees. As a Harvard staff member, you enjoy many perks that come with working for one of the top employers in Massachusetts, including:

Flexible work environment: HUIT supports flexible work arrangements where business needs allow.

Time off: 3 - 4 weeks paid vacation, paid holiday break, 12 paid sick days, 12.5 paid holidays, and 3 paid personal days per year.

Medical/Dental/Vision: We offer a variety of excellent medical plans, dental & vision plans.

Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with full vesting after 3 years of service.

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and discounted options through participating Harvard grad schools.

Harvard University Employees Credit Union: Our employees credit union provides a complete line of services for all your financial needs. https://huecu.org

Transportation: 50% discounted MBTA pass as well as additional options to assist employees in their daily commute.

Wellness options: A variety of programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, massages, nutrition, meditation and complimentary health services.

Access to athletic facilities, libraries, campus events and many discounts throughout metro Boston.

Learn more: https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards

Accessibility:
Harvard University IT plays an important role in supporting Harvard's commitment by seeking to create, procure and deploy technologies that are accessible to all, including and especially those who live with disability. Harvard welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact our University Disability Resources Department.

Job Function

Information Technology

Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

I0960M IT Infrastructure Mgt VI

Department

Technology Partner Services

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.