Associate Director, Research Services OR Director, Research Services

Information Technology Services (ITS) at the University of Iowa is seeking an Associate Director or Director of Research Services to help shape how technology supports research across the university.

In this role, you'll lead the team that connects Iowa’s research community with critical research computing services—including high-performance computing, research storage, Linux-based infrastructure, and other specialized platforms researchers rely on to advance their work. Your team will lead consultation, communication, training, engagement, and service management, helping researchers understand, access, and make the most of these resources.

You’ll have the opportunity to build and strengthen how we engage with researchers, developing strategies, structures, and processes that make research computing services more responsive, accessible, and aligned with evolving research needs. Working closely with the technical teams responsible for Iowa’s research computing infrastructure, you’ll help translate researcher needs into strong, sustainable services that support the university’s research mission.

• Lead and supervise the Research Services team, including setting priorities, clarifying responsibilities, coaching staff, evaluating performance, and supporting employee development.
• Manage the day-to-day delivery of research computing and researcher support services.
• Ensure responsive, high-quality customer service by establishing service expectations, monitoring performance, addressing escalated concerns, and improving communication with researchers.
• Plan and coordinate projects and service improvements.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with researchers, academic departments, campus IT partners, research administration offices, compliance stakeholders, vendors, and service governance groups. Lead the HPC Policy and Investor Committee.
• Collect and evaluate service metrics and customer feedback to assess effectiveness, identify gaps, establish priorities, and recommend improvements.

• Provide strategic leadership for the university’s research computing and research technology services, establishing priorities and long-term direction in support of institutional research goals. Lead the HPC Policy and Investor Committee.
• Lead and supervise the research services team, including setting priorities, clarifying responsibilities, coaching staff, evaluating performance, and supporting employee development.
• Direct development of service roadmaps, performance measures, financial plans, and resource strategies, ensuring that research computing and consultation services remain sustainable, responsive, and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Anticipate emerging research technology needs and industry developments, evaluating their institutional implications and making appropriate recommendations for investments, partnerships, service changes, or new capabilities.
• Lead and take charge of complex, institutionally significant initiatives involving multiple colleges, administrative units, technical teams, governance bodies, vendors, and/or external partners.
• Represent the University’s research computing interests in senior leadership discussions, negotiations, external collaborations, professional communities, and institutional planning efforts.

There is an expectation that the individual in this position will maintain effective, civil, and respectful working relationships with the University of Iowa campus community and uphold the University’s commitment to creating a welcoming and respectful environment for all.

This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

ITS values work life balance and strives to provide flexible work options where possible. This position is eligible for on-site or hybrid work arrangements within the state of Iowa, and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.