Director, IT Strategy & Governance

The Director, IT Strategy & Governance is responsible for defining, promoting, and supporting business vision, strategy, objectives, and success. The scope of the role includes IT strategic planning, tactical and operational IT governance, continuous improvement, and enterprise IT performance. The Director is a executive-level strategic thinker and trusted advisor to IT Cabinet with exceptional problem-solving and leadership skills to ensure the organization is set up effectively and operates smoothly. The role will make recommendations and lead the implementation of critical plans including but not limited to industry best practices, enterprise process standardization, optimization, and adherence to service level agreements.

Organizationally, this role will also lead a director-level committee and work closely with executive leaders across the organization to govern the enterprise IT processes; outline, monitor, and accurately report on committed objectives, key results, and service levels; and lead, support, and monitor progress of teams in the implementation of strategies to improve customer satisfaction and services, and maximize efficiency and effectiveness. Additional duties include providing direction to directors and managers, facilitating communication between departments, providing support to executives, and managing business expectations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

STRATEGIC PLANNING & ALIGNMENT

• Understand and interpret business vision, strategy, objectives, and success factors.

• Strategic advisor to the C-suite, other directors, and managers.

• Lead IT Operational Governance Committee in the centralization, standardization, and optimization of enterprise IT processes, key performance indicators, service levels, and continuous improvement.

• Participate in strategic planning, policy and procedure development, and decision-making.

• Draft policies and procedures aligned with best practices and IT strategic and tactical objectives.

• Conduct executive-level reviews, draft reports, and communicate recommendations.

• Ensure success of critical cross-functional governance and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Build strong partnerships with leaders to learn what is working and what is not.

• Identify, evaluate, and report business risk and opportunities for executive leadership.

• Summarize missed service level causes, monitor & report progress of mitigation strategies.

• Research, analyze, and recommend new potential markets, solutions, and systems.

• Oversee the execution of work plans to drive organizational success.

• Advocate for standardized, scalable, best practices operations and continuous improvement.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

• Engage directors and managers on opportunities to monitor and improve service performance.

• Works with Information Security to build controls and perform audits of enterprise IT procedures.

• Identify and manage expectations regarding missed objectives & key results, service levels, causes, and mitigation efforts.

• Oversee data collection and publishing of reports/dashboards to improve service and process visibility.

• Lead operational core process engineering initiatives to promote efficiency and set up the company for future success.

• Direct special projects and initiatives with skillful oversight, support, and a focus on data-driven decision-making.

• Ensure senior leaders are involved in key decision-making and have all necessary information.

• Pinpoint and support the development of solutions to address core issues within the IT services and enterprise IT processes.

• Foster an environment where employees feel encouraged to voice ideas/potential solutions.

• Lead strategic/transformational operational initiatives to resolve known risks and issues.

• Support teams in resolving conflicting priorities, work capacity, major incidents, and other issues.

• Execute initiatives sponsored and decisions made by executive leadership.

• Oversee the analysis of existing enterprise IT processes and the execution of improvements to reduce cost, increase productivity, and improve efficiency.

• Leverage artificial intelligence and other tools to streamline processes and enhance decision-making.

• Prepare and present executive reports and plan to leadership and staff.

• Create resources and facilitate training to foster understanding of key performance indicators, service level agreements, core processes, and continuous improvement.

EMPLOYEE SUPERVISION

• Lead IT Operational Governance Committee in the establishment and optimization of operational strategies, core processes, and related systems.

• Manage a small, effective team in the confidential and timely collection of service, product, and team performance data and its application in continuous improvement of IT services and enterprise IT processes.

• Identify key attributes and technical skills needed to recruit and/or promote qualified individuals.

• Coach employees and set specific, measurable goals to assist with the employee's personal growth and professional development.

• Manage team capacity, reviews employee leave requests for approval, completes annual performance evaluations, and other administrative supervisory responsibilities.

• Promote a collaborative work environment focused on departmental service success and problem/risk identification and mitigation.

• Support the employee lifecycle, including onboarding and training.

Position Requirements:

FORMAL EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION

• Bachelor's degree in IT, business, law, or other fields that foster strategic/critical thinking and analysis.

• 15+ years of experience in business, IT operations, software development, and/or compliance.

• 10+ years of experience in multiple IT roles. Cross-functional/different departments preferred.

• 10+ years of experience in program/project management with a demonstrated track record of delivering business value on critical projects.

• 5+ years of experience with organizational/departmental planning.

• 5+ years of experience drafting policy, procedure, and process documentation.

• 3+ years of experience developing and facilitating training.

• ITIL-4 certification preferred.

• Experience/prior clearance to collect and use sensitive and/or confidential data preferred.

• Master's degree preferred.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Proven executive-level problem-solving and presentation skills.

• Demonstrable experience in designing, implementing, and collecting organizational KPIs, negotiating service level agreements, and outlining missed service level causes and mitigations.

• Very strong collaboration, verbal and written communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• Experience with high-priority/impact programs, projects, and/or cross-team management.

• Understanding of the organization's goals, objectives, services and core applications.

• Very strong business, system, and data analysis skills.

• Strong strategic and operational efficiency focus.

• Confidence in presenting to and conversing with executive and senior leaders, and large groups.

• Strong adherence to and skill in soliciting necessary information within deadlines.

• Trusted to handle sensitive and/or confidential information.

• Strong “Roll up your sleeves”, governance, organizational maturity, and continuous improvement mindsets.

All submissions should include a cover letter and resume.

The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. UMGC is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, ancestry, political affiliation or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Workplace Accommodations:

The University of Maryland Global Campus Global Campus (UMGC) is committed to creating and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive working environment for people of all abilities. UMGC is dedicated to the principle that no qualified individual with a disability shall, based on disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of the University, or be subjected to discrimination. For information about UMGC's Reasonable Workplace Accommodation Policy or to request an accommodation, applicants/candidates can contact Employee Accommodations via email at employee-accommodations@umgc.edu. 

Benefits Package Highlights:

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 days of paid vacation, 15 days of sick leave, 3 personal days, and 15 paid holidays (16 during general election years). For part-time employees, time off rates will be prorated based on the number of hours worked.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access to health care, medical with vision, dental, and prescription plans for both individuals and families, effective from the 1st of the month following your hire date.
• Insurance Options: Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, and Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance. Part-time employees working less than 0.5 FTE are not eligible for LTD.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Available for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Retirement Plans: Choose between the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) or the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (MSRPS).
• Supplemental Retirement Plans: include 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and various Roth options. The university does not provide matching funds.
• Tuition Remission: Immediate availability for Regular Exempt Staff. Spouses and dependent children are eligible for undergraduate tuition remission after two years of service. NOTE: For part-time employees (at least 50 percent of the time), tuition remission benefits are prorated.

Hiring Range: