Location

(Primary Location for Job Responsibilities) Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Job Summary

Provides strategic leadership for the technology services, platforms, and partnerships that advance the university's research mission. This role serves as the primary IT leader for research enablement, working closely with faculty, research administration, academic leadership, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and external partners to support high-performance computing, research data management, secure research environments, advanced analytics, automation, and emerging technologies. Responsible for developing and executing a research technology strategy that aligns with institutional priorities, expands support for sponsored research, improves the researcher experience, and ensures that technology investments are scalable, secure, sustainable, and responsive to evolving needs. The role also leads exploration and adoption of emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, advanced computing platforms, cloud research environments, and other capabilities that may enhance teaching, research, innovation, and institutional effectiveness. Bridges research, technology, security, and innovation to help the university grow its research enterprise while preparing for the next generation of digital capabilities.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: -
1. Leads develops and executes institutional technology and research computing strategies, translating vision into actionable roadmaps with measurable outcomes that support academic, research, and institutional goals
2. Partners with faculty and research leadership to understand needs and remove technology barriers
3. Advances secure research environments for regulated data, including CUI and other compliance requirements
4. Strategic oversight of research platforms such as HPC, cloud computing, data storage, analytics, and collaboration tools
5. Evaluates emerging technologies and translates them into practical institutional capabilities
6. Builds governance, standards, and sustainable funding models for research technology services
7. Coordinates with cybersecurity, infrastructure, enterprise applications, sponsored programs and grants, academic technology teams to develop, implement, and support technology solutions that advance the university's research, teaching, and institutional priorities
8. Develops partnerships with vendors, peer institutions, consortia, and funding agencies
9. Measures impact through service adoption, researcher satisfaction, grant support, compliance readiness, and operational outcomes

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements
Master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in Computational Science and Engineering, Scientific Computing, Computer Science, High-Performance Computing, or other related field.

Required Experience
Ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience in research computing, information technology, or a related field. Proven ability to lead complex technology organizations, drive strategic initiatives, and deliver innovative, scalable solutions that support research and institutional goals within higher education or similarly complex environments.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred Qualifications
ISACA Certified in Emerging Technology (CET)
CertNexus Certified Emerging Technology Professional (CETP)

Preferred Educational Qualifications
An advanced or terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES
Able to effectively convey complex technical concepts and strategic initiatives to executive leadership, faculty researchers, Advanced project and portfolio management skills, with demonstrated success managing multiple concurrent initiatives and aligning investments with institutional priorities
Able to establish and maintain strategic partnerships across academic, research, administrative, industry, and external stakeholder communities to advance institutional priorities
Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of emerging technologies and their strategic application in higher education and research environments, with the ability to develop pilot programs and scale successful innovations across the institution
Experience leading complex organizational change initiatives, utilizing structured change management approaches to drive adoption, stakeholder engagement, and institutional readiness
Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and best practices in achieving and maintaining Federal cyber compliance in complex secure infrastructures within the organization
Understanding of the nature of Research and Development (R&D) mission and the common necessity to deviate from published standards and policies to evaluate and process exception requests
Knowledge of federal and DoW research cybersecurity compliance requirements, including National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 (NSPM-33), NIST 800 series, DFARS 252.204-7012 (NIST SP 800-171), DFARS 252.204-7021 (CMMC), and familiarity with the Risk Management Framework (RMF)
Experience working with Federally regulated information types such as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and export-controlled information (ITAR/EAR)
Experience in budget development, resource planning, contract negotiation, and vendor management, ensuring the effective and efficient use of institutional resources

SKILLS
Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, and presentation skills
Strong analytical and strategic planning abilities, including the assessment of emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities that enhance research competitiveness and institutional effectiveness
Exceptional leadership, team building, and talent development skills, including the ability to recruit, mentor, and retain highly skilled technical and research computing professionals
governance groups, and external partners
Demonstrated leadership in building innovative, high-performing organizations, fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)
Strong attention to detail and follow up skills
Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette

Other Information

This is a supervisory position.
This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time
This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

• Standard Enhanced
• Education

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.

https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf