Rice University invites nominations and applications for the role of Associate Vice President for Technology Platforms (AVP). Reporting to the University’s Vice President for Information Technology & Chief Information Officer, the AVP will be responsible for infrastructure architecture, collaboration platforms, performance, availability, incident, capacity, configuration, and change-management processes and for the tools to support 24x7 uptime and availability SLAs. With a vision for core technologies that foregrounds the user experience and emphasizes reliability, efficiency, scalability, and sustainability, the AVP will pursue an optimal balance of innovation and standardization in the technologies that enable Rice to operate, its constituents to accomplish their work, and the University to advance its mission. The AVP will be a strategic leader who can navigate the complexities of a university environment while also being a pragmatic manager who ensures the smooth, efficient, and accountable delivery of enabling technologies and supporting services.
The AVP oversees two portfolios, Platform Engineering & Infrastructure and Network & Connectivity. Platform Engineering & Infrastructure is responsible for managing and modernizing platforms that improve OIT’s operation and service delivery, such as collaboration and email platform, storage, and compute. Network & Connectivity is responsible for maintaining the University network and sustaining connectivity, where resources include the data center, network infrastructure, and telecom.
With a focus on reliability, efficiency, scalability, and sustainability, the AVP will pursue an optimal balance of innovation and standardization in the technology that enables Rice to operate and its constituents to accomplish their work. They will provide leadership in the design and development of network, storage, collaboration, and compute architectures, pinpoint problem areas, uphold product quality, and drive innovation and design with constant engagement across a variety of University stakeholders. First and foremost, they and their teams will engage the IT @ Rice community to understand, align, and advance. The AVP will manage an expense budget of $6M and lead a staff of 40 FTEs comprising engineers, technicians, supervisor, and managers.
Minimum qualifications for the role include an undergraduate degree and seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, process improvement, change management, or related activities, including proven experience in leading technical teams and implementing technology-based initiatives; at least five years of experience leading and supervising personnel; and experience in managing cross-functional teams and fostering a collaborative work environment. Preferred/additional qualifications include an advanced degree and technology leadership experience in higher education.
Rice University has engaged Opus Partners to assist this search. Craig Smith, Senior Partner, and Thomas Lapierre, Senior Associate, are leading the search. For additional information or to nominate qualified candidates, please email Thomas Lapierre at thomas.lapierre@opuspartners.net. To be considered for the position, candidates must formally apply via Opus Partners and must provide a resume and a cover letter that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications of the AVP role.
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
