Director of Data Center Services

Position Summary

The Director of Data Center Operations provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for Vanderbilt University's data center infrastructure. This role ensures the availability, reliability, scalability, and security of data center services that support the university’s academic, research, and administrative functions. The Director leads a team of professionals in data center operations, architecture, and analysis, and collaborates with internal stakeholders and external partners to align infrastructure capabilities with institutional goals and emerging technologies.

This position plays a critical role in shaping the future of the university’s IT infrastructure and contributes to long-term planning and innovation.

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

• Develop and execute a comprehensive data center strategy aligned with university goals and IT roadmap.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and trends to inform infrastructure modernization and innovation.
• Lead capacity planning, risk management, and business continuity initiatives for data center operations.
• Collaborate with senior IT leadership to integrate data center strategy with broader enterprise architecture.

• Ensure high availability, performance, and security of all data center services.
• Oversee daily operations including monitoring, incident response, and maintenance.
• Establish and enforce operational standards, policies, and procedures.
• Manage vendor relationships and service contracts related to data center infrastructure.

• Lead and supervise a team of employees, including recruitment, training, and performance management.
• Acts as a player/coach, guiding and performing work within the function.
• Develop and implement plans, objectives, and initiatives to meet organizational goals.
• Allocate financial and human resources efficiently and effectively to support operational activities.
• Monitor and evaluate team performance, providing feedback and coaching to enhance individual and collective capabilities.
• Foster a positive work environment by promoting collaboration, communication, and employee engagement.
• Ensure compliance with Vanderbilt policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with other departments or stakeholders to achieve cross-functional objectives and resolve issues effectively.
• Analyze data and metrics to identify opportunities for process improvement and operational optimization.

• Ensure compliance with institutional, regulatory, and industry standards (e.g., HIPAA, FERPA, NIST).
• Implement and maintain robust physical and logical security controls.
• Conduct regular audits and assessments to identify and mitigate risks.
• Coordinate disaster recovery and backup strategies across data center environments.
• Serve as a liaison between IT and academic/research departments to understand infrastructure needs.
• Communicate data center capabilities and constraints to non-technical stakeholders.
• Partner with external vendors, consultants, and peer institutions to share best practices and resources.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position manages a team of ~12 employees. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for IT Operations.

• Bachelor’s degree is necessary
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field is preferred
• Relevant certifications such as Data Center Management (DCM), ITIL, Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP), or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) are highly desirable are preferred

• 7-10 years of progressive experience in IT infrastructure or data center operations is necessary
• At least 5 years in a leadership or management role overseeing complex data…