Job Description:

• The Director, Data Center Services (DCS) will provide leadership to the teams responsible for the architecture and administration of on-premise and Cloud-based IT infrastructure including; servers, storage, virtualization, email & collaboration services, and PeopleSoft application administration.  This individual also will work with other IT Service departments to provide seamless integration between teams and promote the long-term benefits of high-quality automated solutions to; address customer needs, provide leadership and coordination in the completion of administrative tasks, create and track operational metrics, and support budgeting and personnel management.  This professional will work with and mentor members of the DCS team.  
• Contributes to the development of high-level IT services goals and will manage resources to achieve those goals.
• Develops and aligns departmental goals with IT services and institutional priorities. 
• Oversees and participates in the performance management of staff, including their professional development. 
• Provides operational leadership; interfaces with customers to gather requirements and provide technical solutions. 
• Tracks the progress of assigned tasks by maintaining accurate and up-to-date plans, ensuring that all assigned projects have the necessary management oversight and approvals for successful completion. 
• Spokesperson for DCS with other IT services departments.
• Ensures IT Security Guidelines are followed and enforced. 
• Recommends and implements best practices and information technology policies that result in the highest quality systems administration. 
• Identifies issues influencing the successful completion of the Executive Director's commitments; assisting with front-line trouble shooting and problem solving. 
• Collaborates with IT Services Senior and Operational Leadership teams on planning, executing, and management of ITS projects. 
• Participates in Divisional Initiatives, including the Operational Leadership Committeeâ™s Campus-wide IT Special Projects.
• Directs functional business plans and contributes to the development of IT systems strategy, goals, and priorities.
• Oversees the planning, execution, and management of IT Services projects. Directs front-line troubleshooting and problem solving.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in information technology or related field.  

Experience:

• Minimum ten years of experience in a supervision or team lead role, providing infrastructure administration for servers and storage with increasing technical and service responsibility. 
• Minimum five years of technical experience supporting and managing: Storage Area Networks (SAN), VMWare Infrastructure, Exchange Environments, ERP (PeopleSoft) Hosting. 
• Minimum five years of experience in a Research 1 university managing a mix of vendor and in-house systems as well as a mix of technologies including mainframe, client server, cloud and web technologies. 
• Working knowledge of managing hardware and software vendors and related contractual requirements. 
• Proficient with ITIL and change management best practices. 
• Skillful in leading and implementing technical projects and services.

Preferred Competences

• Management Skills â“ effectively lead a technical team including problem solving, technical and personnel decision making, resource tracking and professional development of team members.
• Server Administration â“ effectively plan, deploy and administer Windows and Linux servers in an enterprise environment (ex. AD, MS Clustering, IIS, SMTP, FTP, Windows Firewall, IPsec, and NTFS Permissions.) Strong understanding of modern server technologies and related best practices. 
• Hardware â“ strong familiarity with current Intel/AMD hardware platforms, Blade and rack server architecture and Blade Centers.
• Networking and Storage - understanding of storage and network protocols/concepts (FC, Foe, iSCSI, NFS, GigE, TCP/IP, UDP, Ether channel and VLAN configurations.).
• Documentation â“ Ability to compose thorough and clear documentation on routine tasks, standard operating procedures and other documents beneficial to team members. 
• Focus â“ focus on delivering high quality service, needs of the key stakeholders, end-users, service orientation, organizational communications and getting results.
• Listening and Communications â“ build partnerships/relationships through listening for understanding. Express oneself effectively in all media, with diplomacy, openness and transparency. Provide specific and appropriate feedback.
• Accountability, Commitment and Follow-through â“ do what you say you will do and be personally responsible for your actions. Take individual responsibility for performance including quality and quantity of work. Be willing to own the issue, problem, activity and accomplishments. Commit to oneâ™s own development.
• Initiative and Innovation â“ pro-active approach interest in problem solving. Display creative approach to everyday problems, ask good questions, and stimulate ideas. Offer creative ideas for improvements and solutions to problems as well as keeping abreast of IT trends and technologies; building knowledge and technical expertise.
• Collaborative â“ builds effective relationships with others. Works effectively as a member of a department and/or project team. Open to assistance and willingness to assist others. Puts success of team above own interest.
• Professional â“ internalizes and acts on organizational mission and goals. Works effectively across organization and campus community. Active interest in The University and IT in higher education. Takes personal ownership of professional development. Values and respects differences.
• Decision making / Problem solving â“ generates pragmatic approaches to addressing issues, challenges, and opportunities. Analyzes problems. Develops and implements effective solutions. Makes sound business decisions in a timely manner. A strong interest in group dynamics and team building.

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment.
• Outdoor exposure to weather.
• On-call responsibilities.
• Sit for short or extended time periods.
• Stand for short or extended time period.
• Extensively use computer.
• Make repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movements.
• See, including color, depth perception, or clarity.
• Hear, including making fine discriminations in sound.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover letter (required)
• References Contact Information (required) 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.