Revised Job Description
Position: Senior Director of Secure Identity Services (SIS)
Organization: Division of Information Technology, Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech’s Division of Information Technology is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and visionary leader to serve as the Senior Director of Secure Identity Services (SIS). The position is responsible for overseeing the university’s enterprise-wide identity and access management (IAM) ecosystem. The Senior Director will provide strategic leadership for key functional areas, including authentication services, access controls, identity governance, and supporting middleware, ensuring secure access to university systems, data, and services.
This role is pivotal as Virginia Tech continues to expand its reach and complexity, build partnerships across Virginia and the globe, and enhance its reliance on secure, privacy-centered digital services. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President for IT Security and Identity and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), the successful candidate will ensure robust identity and access management capabilities that align with institutional priorities, emphasizing security, usability, reliability, and privacy.
Primary Responsibilities
- Provide strategic, long-term direction and operational oversight for Virginia Tech’s IAM capabilities.
- Champion and implement innovative and secure IAM solutions that support the university’s organizational growth.
- Collaborate across departments, partners, and leadership to align identity services with institutional goals while incorporating advanced security and privacy measures.
- Ensure IAM systems are scalable and adaptable, meeting the needs of diverse and evolving stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
- A Master’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent educational and professional experience.
- Strong knowledge and hands-on experience in areas such as information privacy and security practices, federated trust models, identity assurance, multifactor authentication, and middleware technologies, specifically in a higher education environment.
- Demonstrated mid- to senior-level strategic leadership experience in IT, involving enterprise-class services.
- Proven ability to make sound decisions efficiently, balancing organizational priorities and responding to the needs of senior leadership, departments, and users.
- Expertise in planning, analyzing, and assessing programs, services, and operational goals, while accounting for fiscal considerations.
- Demonstrated excellence in change leadership and management.
- Outstanding communication and collaboration skills, particularly in engaging with senior leadership.
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional certifications in security, such as CISSP or SANS GIAC.
- Hands-on experience in IT disciplines, including systems or application administration, information security, identity management, or software development.
- Proven track record in budget development, administration, and management.
- Experience managing large-scale IT projects.
- Strong background in leading software development teams to deliver secure enterprise IT solutions.
- Familiarity with technologies such as SAML, CAS protocols, LDAP directories, web single sign-on, DevOps practices, and cloud computing solutions.
- Engagement in broader professional IAM initiatives, such as InCommon or TIER.
Employment Information
- Appointment Type: Regular
- Overtime Status: Exempt (Not eligible for overtime)
- Hours per Week: 40
- Salary: Commensurate with experience
Application Review Date
- Deadline: April 20, 2026
Additional Information
- Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this position.
- A criminal conviction background check is required for the successful candidate.
About Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is a global, research-driven, land-grant institution dedicated to advancing knowledge and improving the quality of life throughout Virginia and the world. Guided by its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech fosters an inclusive, forward-thinking community committed to discovery, innovation, and leadership development.
With over 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students studying across 280 degree programs, Virginia Tech provides diverse academic and professional opportunities spanning eight undergraduate colleges, a Graduate School, as well as specialized schools in medicine, veterinary medicine, and the Honors College. Key university locations include Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, Roanoke’s Health Sciences and Technology Campus, and extension offices throughout Virginia.
Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Virginia Tech prohibits discrimination on all legally protected bases and encourages professional development opportunities and participation in shared governance initiatives.
How to Apply for Accommodations
Virginia Tech supports inclusion and accessibility. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require an accommodation, please contact IT Human Resources at [email protected] during business hours at least 10 business days prior to any relevant events or deadlines.
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