Penn State University

Senior Director, Shared Platform Service Delivery

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

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of relevant IT experience with 5+ years in a supervisory role.
  • Progressive leadership experience in IT service delivery or operations.
  • Experience managing large, complex teams (20+ employees) in decentralized settings.
  • Proven track record in overseeing enterprise platforms and shared technology services.
  • Expertise in implementing IT service management practices and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

  • Lead service delivery operations for enterprise technology services across the Platform portfolio.
  • Drive operational excellence through consistent service management practices and cross-functional coordination.
  • Oversee workforce planning and resource alignment to meet service delivery needs.
  • Implement and enhance enterprise service management standards and processes.
  • Ensure adherence to IT service management processes across delivery teams.
  • Champion customer experience and service adoption to deliver measurable value.
  • Facilitate communications and escalate critical service issues effectively.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Generous 75% tuition discount for employees and their eligible families.
  • Robust retirement plans supporting long-term financial health.
  • Substantial paid time off including holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
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, Shared Platform Service Delivery

The Senior Director, Shared Platform Service Delivery provides executive leadership for the operational delivery of enterprise IT services across the Shared Platform 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 that enable the University's mission. 

The position partners closely with the Service Management Office (SMO) to implement and continuously improve enterprise service management practices, standards, metrics, and operational processes. The role also works closely with Service Owners to support service roadmaps, service performance objectives, and new service capabilities, ensuring consistent adoption and execution across the Shared Platform portfolio. In collaboration with the Senior Director, Capability Teams, this leader aligns talent and resource planning with service needs and establishes priorities, operational focus, and near-term delivery objectives across the portfolio. 

The successful candidate will be a customer-focused leader who can balance operational excellence with strategic execution while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and service-oriented delivery. 

RESPONSIBILITIES  

  • Lead service delivery operations across the Platform portfolio by providing strategic direction and oversight to Service Managers, ensuring reliable, efficient, and high-quality delivery of enterprise technology services. 

  • Drive cross-functional service coordination and operational excellence by establishing consistent service management practices, fostering accountability, and ensuring seamless delivery across organizational boundaries. 

  • Oversee service workforce planning and resource alignment by defining service team requirements and partnering with capability leaders to ensure services are appropriately staffed to meet operational and strategic objectives. 

  • Lead the implementation and advancement of enterprise service management practices by partnering with the Service Management Office to establish, govern, and continuously improve service management standards, processes, and operational frameworks across the Platform portfolio. 

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

  • Lead customer experience, service adoption, and value realization efforts by leveraging stakeholder insights to improve engagement, increase service utilization, enhance customer satisfaction, and ensure platform services deliver measurable business value. 

  • Oversee service communications and serve as the executive escalation point for critical platform service issues, ensuring effective stakeholder communication, coordinated issue resolution, and operational accountability across the Platform portfolio. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS 

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

  • Progressive leadership experience in information technology, service delivery, IT operations, or related functions. 

  • 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 overseeing enterprise platforms or shared technology services, with responsibility for service delivery, operational management, resource planning, and continuous service improvement. 

  • Demonstrated success leading enterprise-scale IT service delivery, operations, or service management functions. 

  • Experience implementing and advancing IT service management (ITSM) practices, processes, and governance. 

  • Proven ability to collaborate with senior leaders, business stakeholders, and technical teams to achieve organizational objectives. 

  • Experience establishing performance metrics, managing service performance, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. 

  • Demonstrated ability to lead through organizational change, influence across organizational boundaries, and build strong stakeholder relationships.

  • Excellent communication, strategic planning, and problem-solving 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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