Director for Research Infrastructure Operations

Internet2

Location: US
Type: Full Time Regular

An advanced non-profit technology community founded in 1996 by the nation's leading higher education institutions, Internet2 provides a collaborative environment for U.S. research and education organizations to solve shared technology challenges and develop innovative solutions supporting their research, educational, and community service missions. Today, Internet2 stands at the intersection of infrastructure and innovation, operating a state-of-the-art national research and education network while simultaneously advancing a comprehensive service portfolio spanning trust and identity solutions, cloud programs and services, research engagement initiatives, and community-building programs.

This integrated approach enables Internet2 to deliver unique value that empowers its diverse membership, including universities, government agencies, regional networks, corporations, and leading research and education organizations.

Internet2 seeks a collaborative and strategic leader to drive operational excellence in the organization's research‑supporting infrastructure, ensure cross‑team alignment, and secure funding to advance Internet2 and initiatives for data‑intensive research, education, and workforce development across the national cyberinfrastructure ecosystem. This role shapes internal operational structures and strengthens alliances with academia, industry, and government partners to advance collaboratively‑delivered platforms that benefit the national Research and Education (R&E) community, at scale.

• Monitor trends in research computing, cloud services, cybersecurity, data‑intensive science, and CI workforce needs to anticipate opportunities for new Internet2 and partner offerings.
• Lead the translation of unmet community needs into actionable service concepts, initiatives, partnership opportunities, including the articulation of value propositions, risk assessments, sustainability modeling, and promotional strategies.
• Develop and present service roadmaps, strategic briefs, and member‑engagement plans to internal leadership, advisory groups, and community stakeholders.

• Lead cross‑disciplinary and cross‑organizational infrastructure development across technical, operational, and community teams to bring new services from concept to launch and support their long‑term evolution.
• Coordinate internal and external collaborators to deliver high‑impact results.
• Engage across teams to understand and refine service requirements and to deliver metrics that evaluate pilot implementations and ensure that operational infrastructure delivers measurable community value.
• Build, develop and lead a support staff to accomplish the goals mentioned above.

• Build, evolve, and sustain partnerships across academia, industry, government agencies, regional networks, and research organizations that inform service and operational models.
• Leverage the unique talents, capabilities, and expertise across the Internet2 community to foster shared innovation.
• Represent Internet2 at conferences, working groups, and strategic meetings.

• Monitor and review opportunities from federal agencies (e.g., NSF, NIH, DOE), foundations, and private‑sector programs that advance organizational priorities and benefit the R&E community.
• Lead or support the full life cycle of proposal development, including concept definition, writing, budgeting, compliance, and partner coordination.
• Lead sustainment planning for all awards and programs under your purview, in partnership with Internet2 leadership teams.

• Strategic and systems‑level thinking
• Collaboration and community‑building
• Grant/proposal writing and resource development
• Program and project management
• Ability to translate community needs into actionable initiatives
• People Leadership & Team Development

• Bachelor's degree (Or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• 5+ years' experience in cyberinfrastructure strategy, research support, business…