Job Description

The manager of the Open Systems & Storage team leads the implementation and management of the systems and infrastructure components for enterprise computing environments. This position assures team adherence to aligning operations to enterprise ITIL processes and procedures. This role also recommends, develops, and enforces policies and procedures for maintaining the security and integrity of the information systems. This manager assures the information systems meet availability and disaster recovery requirements as dictated by the University’s needs, and guides, coaches, and mentors team members’ development.

About the Work Unit:

The Open Systems & Storage team is responsible for supporting the configuration, deployment, automation, orchestration, and ongoing management of Linux virtual and physical servers, enterprise load balancing technologies and all underlying hardware/appliances, enterprise domain name services (DNS) and all underlying hardware/appliances, storage area network (SAN), enterprise storage assets, and backups/data protection for all user data contained therein. Additional duties include maintaining the health, security, and availability of all infrastructure hardware components in support of the relevant technologies.

Vanderbilt University Information Technology is a human-centric organization that advances our university by delivering innovative solutions and frictionless experiences through collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Core Accountabilities:

• Oversees the day-to-day operations and technical responsibilities of the team.
• Ensures that the respective information systems’ health and security postures remain current and that records of system downtime and asset inventory are properly registered and maintained.
• Coordinates necessary vendor support activities.
• Leads the information system’s design and architecture while assuring fiscal responsibility.
• Assures that the team’s information systems are designed to align with VU’s availability and recovery objectives.
• Identifies technical gaps or inefficiencies and suggests corrective action plans.
• Recommends a strategic technical vision that aligns with business needs and fiscal goals.
• Confirms that all relevant service level objectives are met.
• Escalates major technical issues accurately and promptly.
• Develops and suggests remediation plans for rapid restoration of service when necessary.
• Demands and assures customer service excellence in all team interactions with the Vanderbilt community.

Staff and Personal Development:

• Coaches, mentors, and develops staff in accordance with customer service excellence, including goal setting, performance development planning, and career path development.
• Clearly articulates responsibilities of roles and empowers staff to work independently by delegation, follow through, and regular feedback.
• Develops training plans with the intent for the team to master the technologies within their technical support responsibilities.
• Assures team is appropriately staffed and proficient in the support of all relevant information systems to mitigate staff single points-of-failure.

Process, Procedure and Planning:

• Develops procedures to maintain security and protect systems from unauthorized use, acts of nature, and user abuse.
• Assists with project coordination, direction, and resource scheduling to maximize value and minimize negative impact to service and consumers.
• Continuously evaluates areas to optimize and improve efficiencies while aligning technical solutions to evolving business needs.
• Leads efforts to establish or maintain relevant policies and procedures and holds team accountable for them.
• Establishes relevant controls, metrics, and feedback systems to monitor the operations of the team and relevant service level objectives.
• Coordinates work and on-call schedules for optimal coverage in support of VU’s mission.

Supervisory Relationships:

• This position leads a team of approximately six individuals and reports administratively and functionally to the Director of Hosting Services.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Computer Science or Information Technology, or equivalent relevant experience is required.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of technical experience managing a team of people is required.
• 2+ years of experience managing multiple technical teams is preferred.
• Experience with programming languages and server operating systems, scripting, automation/orchestration, cloud operations, system administration, enterprise backup and recovery procedures, and system performance monitoring tools with current equipment and technologies is required.
• Effective project management techniques, principles, and practices are highly preferred.
• Ability to plan, organize, and document complex system design activities and configure systems to be consistent with institutional policies and procedures.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical and complex information both written and verbally.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperation, understanding, trust, and credibility.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks concurrently and respond to emergency situations in a calm and collected manner that instills confidence.

Information Technology’s Guiding Principles:

• Trust and Respect- VUIT cultivates a community built on trust, mutual respect, and inclusivity, where all members feel valued and supported. We prioritize honesty, dignity, empathy, and a willingness to listen and understand.
• Professionalism- VUIT strives to maintain a culture of maturity, accountability, and integrity to best represent the University and self . Have a sense of humility and poise in your work and daily interactions.
• Collaborate- VUIT commits to being inclusive in solution design where we value sharing within and partnering across the university. We are intentional about including our colleagues and preventing silos.
• Bias-to-Action- VUIT is seen as a changemaker by exhibiting a decisive, self-starter, take-action approach with a willingness to make decisions without excessive deliberation. Personal initiative is recognized as a key part of the creative process.
• Communicate- Communication (written, verbal and non-verbal), within and outside VUIT, is open, thoughtful, welcoming, clear, proactive, concise yet complete, always honest, and delivered kindly.
• Innovate- VUIT pledges to be bold and challenge the status quo by inspiring a culture of creativity that promotes growth and advancement for the university.
• Celebrate Each Other- We are intentional in showing appreciation for the work of others by valuing and acknowledging meaningful contributions at all levels of the organization.
• Optimize- VUIT will practice continuous and thoughtful optimization of our solutions and services to increase our human and technological capacity. Capacity drives innovation.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

About Us

Vanderbilt is a community of talented and diverse staff & faculty!

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville , Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:

• Working and growing together as a community of communities... we are One Vanderbilt.
• Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self, while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
• Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

Vanderbilt University has made the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University may require employees to comply with any testing or health and safety measures which the University may require.