Position Title: Associate Director of University Life Technology Services
Department: University Life
Job Classification: Information Technology Specialist 2
Job Category: Classified Staff
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hours per week)
Workplace Location: Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible
Pay Band: 05
Salary: Starting range in mid $80,000s, commensurate with education and experience
Criminal Background Check: Yes
About the Department:
University Life Technology Services (ULTS) provides comprehensive technology support, guidance, and training for the division of University Life (UL). Dedicated to building strong collaborative relationships, the department delivers tailored business solutions designed to streamline processes, eliminate redundancies, and foster organizational growth. ULTS offers a broad array of technical services to advance both divisional and university-wide goals.
About the Position:
The Associate Director plays a key leadership role in the University Life Technology Services department, overseeing enterprise software systems and related integrations while managing direct reports through supervision, training, and professional development initiatives. This position also acts as a liaison for technology acquisition reviews, project planning, and interactions with central IT for approvals. Ensuring compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations, the Associate Director drives continuous process improvement, addresses business needs with innovative technology solutions, and safeguards sensitive university data.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Project/Process Management and Documentation:
- Plan and manage IT projects, including detailed documentation, project plans, schedules, and resource allocation.
- Coordinate and communicate with stakeholders, vendors, subcontractors, and university partners regarding project scope and milestones.
- Detect, troubleshoot, and resolve project-related challenges, including change requests.
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for functional business processes and application workflows.
- Establish policies and procedures around system security and management.
- Ensure accurate and timely responses to auditing requests.
- Collaborate with business process owners to design improved workflows and solutions.
- Oversee development of business cases tied to software needs and enterprise applications.
- Maintain continuity plans and system documentation for all University Life applications.
- Lead the team in adopting documentation best practices for applications, systems, and workflows.
2. Staff Supervision:
- Provide leadership within the ULTS team by participating in team meetings and strategic planning sessions; act as a deputy during the Director’s absence.
- Ensure ULTS staff are familiar with operational policies and institutional computing guidelines.
- Develop and enforce policies aligned with industry best practices and regulatory standards.
- Assign and delegate project leads to team members, ensuring productivity and adherence to timelines.
- Monitor individual and team performance, providing constructive feedback.
- Identify training and professional development opportunities for staff to meet departmental and personal growth goals.
3. System Integrations and Approvals:
- Enforce adherence to university computing and ULTS technology acquisition policies.
- Participate in gathering requirements for new applications and evaluating potential acquisitions.
- Collaborate with UL departments to identify technology solutions for specific business needs.
- Work with central IT and external vendors to develop and implement system integrations.
- Review and enhance integration processes periodically to ensure data security and system efficiency.
- Facilitate secure data transfers and system functionality using APIs/SDKs and scripts.
4. Administrative Support:
- Represent the ULTS team in divisional committees and initiatives, providing technical expertise and acting as a subject matter expert.
- Coordinate with central IT for project-related maintenance, upgrades, and emergency technical resolutions.
- Actively participate in leadership and planning activities to achieve departmental and divisional goals.
- Uphold best practices and compliance standards while addressing the division’s technology needs.
Required Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- At least five years of professional experience supporting software systems.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in supervising full-time technical staff and leading technology projects.
- Proven track record of successful customer support and process management.
- Strong verbal communication skills, including technical writing and effective presentations.
- Problem-solving and attention-to-detail capabilities.
- Ability to manage time effectively and work independently with sound judgment.
- Collaborative mindset for working within teams and guiding technology teams.
- Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, non-technical language.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Hands-on experience with IT project management, software implementation, system requirements analysis, and vendor management.
- Familiarity with creating test scenarios and documenting use cases/test plans.
- Proficiency in programming/scripting languages such as Python, SQL, PowerShell, Javascript, XML, HTML, etc.
- Experience working in a higher education environment.
- Knowledge of data management principles and security protocols.
- Advanced project management skills for technology implementations and upgrades.
- Expertise in developing system requirements for new systems as well as upgrades.
Application Instructions:
To be considered for the Associate Director of University Life Technology Services position, applicants must apply online at https://jobs.gmu.edu. Submissions should include:
- A complete online application.
- A cover letter detailing interest and qualifications.
- A current resume.
- Contact information for three professional references.
Posting Open Date: May 1, 2025
Application Deadline for Full Consideration: May 15, 2025
Open Until Filled: Yes
University Statement:
George Mason University is the largest and most diverse institution in Virginia, welcoming students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries. Offering more than 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William, Mason fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusion. Explore career opportunities with Mason and experience our commitment to diversity at jobs.gmu.edu.
Equity Statement:
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to fostering inclusion and equity across its community. Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.
Campus Safety Information:
Access Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/
To apply for this job please visit jobs.chronicle.com.