Executive Director, Information Technology

About the role

The Executive Director of Information Systems, Technology & Security Services provides strategic and operational leadership for the Institute’s enterprise technology organization. Reporting to the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, this role oversees information technology infrastructure, enterprise applications, cybersecurity, scientific computing, cloud services, data management, and technology planning in support of Salk’s scientific, administrative, and operational mission.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Institute's enterprise technology strategy in alignment with Salk's Strategic Plan.

• Provide visionary leadership for Information Technology, Information Systems, Scientific Computing, and Cybersecurity Services.

• Establish enterprise technology governance, ensuring technology priorities align with institutional goals and operational needs.

• Evaluate emerging technologies, including enterprise and administrative uses of artificial intelligence and cloud computing, to improve research capabilities and administrative operations.

• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer service throughout the technology organization.

• Partner with stakeholders to develop and execute Salk’s artificial intelligence strategy for administrative operations, ensuring AI investments align with institutional priorities, improve organizational effectiveness, and are implemented with appropriate governance, security, and accountability.

• Direct all enterprise technology operations, including infrastructure, networking, cloud services, storage, virtualization, endpoint computing, identity management, enterprise applications, and service management.

• Ensure the availability, reliability, scalability, and security of enterprise technology systems supporting research and administrative operations.

• Lead institutional cybersecurity strategy, incident response, business continuity, disaster recovery, and enterprise risk management.

• Oversee enterprise application platforms supporting Finance, Human Resources, Research Administration, identity management, reporting, analytics, and institutional operations.

• Ensure technology architecture, integrations, and data governance support long-term institutional objectives.

• Develop and manage the department's operating and capital budgets.

• Oversee technology procurement, vendor relationships, software licensing, consulting engagements, and contract negotiations.

• Develop long-term technology roadmaps and investment strategies based on institutional priorities, lifecycle planning, and risk management.

• Monitor technology performance metrics and service delivery to ensure operational excellence and continuous improvement.

• Lead, mentor, develop, and evaluate a high-performing technology organization.

• Build collaborative partnerships with faculty, executive leadership, administrative departments, and external partners.

• Present technology strategies, investment recommendations, project updates, and institutional risks to executive leadership and governance committees.

• Promote a service-oriented culture that values transparency, accountability, innovation, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline.

• Minimum of twelve (12) years of progressive leadership experience in Information Technology.

• Minimum of seven (7) years leading enterprise technology organizations with responsibility for multiple technology disciplines.

• Demonstrated experience leading:

  • Enterprise Information Technology Operations
  • Information Systems and Enterprise Applications
  • Cybersecurity and Risk Management
  • Scientific Computing or Research Computing
  • Cloud Computing Services
  • Infrastructure Operations
  • IT Governance
  • Enterprise Architecture
  • Vendor and Contract Management
  • Budget Development and Financial Management
  • Organizational Change Management
  • Strategic Planning

Skills

• Master’s degree in related discipline or Business Administration.

• Experience working within one or more of the following environments:

  • Research Institutions
  • Higher Education
  • Biomedical Research
  • Healthcare Systems
  • Biotechnology
  • Life Sciences
  • Nonprofit Organizations

• Computer and technical skills:

  • Enterprise resource planning and financial information systems
  • Human Resource Information Systems or Human Capital Management (HRIS/HCM)
  • IT service management and workflow platforms
  • Cloud platforms, with AWS experience preferred
  • Business intelligence, reporting, and analytics tools
  • Identity and access management technologies
  • Cybersecurity and risk-management platforms
  • Microsoft Office and project or portfolio management tools

• Experience leading enterprise or administrative adoption of artificial intelligence, with demonstrated knowledge of AI governance and organizational change management.

• Working knowledge of the ServiceNow AI platform and its AI capabilities is strongly preferred.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Pay

The expected pay range for this position is $240,000-$285,000 per annum.

Schedule

N/A

Location

N/A