Penn State University

Senior Director, Mission Service Delivery

Penn State University$150K — $232K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Significant leadership experience in IT, service delivery, or a related field.
  • Experience managing large, cross-functional teams in a complex environment.
  • Background in product management or service delivery models is preferred.
  • Expertise in enterprise-scale service delivery and operational performance.
  • Familiarity with IT service management practices and governance systems.
  • Proven ability to collaborate and influence at senior levels within an organization.
  • Strong strategic planning, communication, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

  • Lead overall service delivery operations for the Mission portfolio.
  • Coordinate cross-functional workforce planning and resource alignment.
  • Implement and promote enterprise service management practices.
  • Ensure compliance with service management processes across the service lifecycle.
  • Enhance customer experience and drive service adoption initiatives.
  • Serve as the escalation point for critical service issues and stakeholder engagement.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Robust retirement plans.
  • Generous paid time off, including holidays, vacation, and sick time.
  • 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible family members.
Full Job Description
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please to complete the. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, pleaselogin to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete .

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see .


 

POSITION SPECIFICS

As part of the Penn State IT’s Optimized Service Team project, IT is implementing a new operating model designed to enhance service delivery, operational efficiency and collaboration across the university.  Penn State is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as the Senior Director, Mission Service Delivery

The Senior Director, Mission Service Delivery provides executive leadership for the operational delivery of enterprise IT services across the Mission portfolio. This role is accountable for leading Service Managers, driving operational excellence, enhancing customer experience, and ensuring the consistent delivery of reliable, secure, and high-quality IT services. 

The position collaborates closely with the Senior Director overseeing Service Owners, the Service Management Office (SMO), and Capability Team leadership to ensure the effective adoption of enterprise service management practices, alignment between services and capabilities, and successful execution of service roadmaps and operational priorities. This leader is responsible for fostering a service-oriented culture, aligning talent and resources with service needs, and ensuring services deliver measurable value to the University. 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead service delivery operations across the Mission portfolio by providing executive oversight of Service Managers, ensuring consistent operational practices, service performance, accountability, and effective execution of day-to-day IT services. 

  • Coordinate cross-functional service delivery and workforce planning by partnering across organizational boundaries to align resources, define service team needs, and support staffing strategies that enable reliable and efficient service delivery. 

  • Lead the implementation and adoption of enterprise service management practices by partnering with the Service Management Office to advance ITSM standards, processes, governance, and continuous improvement initiatives across the Mission portfolio. 

  • Ensure consistent execution of service management processes throughout the service lifecycle by driving operational discipline and adoption of Incident, Problem, Change, Release, Major Incident, Request, Knowledge, and Service Transition Management practices across service delivery teams. 

  • Lead customer experience and service adoption initiatives by leveraging stakeholder insights to improve service engagement, increase customer satisfaction, drive adoption, and ensure services deliver measurable business value. 

  • Oversee service communications and serve as the executive escalation point for critical service issues, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement, coordinated messaging, timely issue resolution, and operational accountability across the Mission portfolio. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS 

Qualified candidates will demonstrate strength across several of the following areas: 

  • Significant progressive leadership experience in information technology, service delivery, IT operations, service management, or a related field. 

  • Demonstrated experience leading large, complex teams (20+ employees), including managers and cross-functional teams, with accountability for organizational performance, talent development, and operational outcomes in a complex, preferably higher education or similarly decentralized environment. 

  • Experience with product management, product-oriented operating models, or leading product and service delivery teams preferred. 

  • Experience overseeing enterprise-scale service delivery, operational performance, and continuous improvement initiatives. 

  • Experience implementing and advancing IT service management practices, operational governance, and service performance management. 

  • Proven ability to build relationships, influence decision-making, and collaborate effectively with senior leaders, stakeholders, and technical teams. 

  • Excellent communication, strategic planning, problem-solving, and organizational leadership skills. 

 

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree 10+ years of relevant experience, includes 5+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None

 

LOCATION 

This position follows a hybrid work model with some remote work flexibility. A weekly on-site presence at the University Park campus will be required. Occasional travel to Commonwealth Campuses and other Penn State locations may be required. 

 

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

 

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

 

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $150,204.00 - $232,776.00.

 

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

 

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

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