Director of Information Technology: Tickle College of Engineering - UTK

Under the supervision of the Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Information Technology leads the operations, strategy, and budget for the Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) IT enterprise, supporting approximately 815 faculty, staff, and graduate students. The position manages IT staff, ensures delivery of technical services across multiple departments, and collaborates with campus IT partners to support infrastructure, security, and emerging technology initiatives. The Director of Information Technology is responsible for the overall leadership and administration of IT services within the Tickle College of Engineering (TCE). This role oversees daily IT operations, strategic planning, and resource management to ensure reliable, secure, and efficient technology services across administrative offices, program units, and academic departments. The Director supervises IT staff, manages a comprehensive IT budget, and serves as a key partner with the Office of Information Technology (OIT) to align college technology initiatives with university priorities. The position provides direction for IT security, infrastructure, and system support while leading complex projects, advising leadership on technology solutions, and ensuring service delivery in accordance with established service level agreements (SLAs). The Director also evaluates emerging technologies, supports research and instructional needs, and ensures that IT services advance the college’s mission and strategic goals. ### Responsibilities Responsible for leading and managing the TCE IT unit, including supervision, mentoring, goal setting, performance management, hiring decisions, and oversight of IT staff. Establishes and implements the future direction of the TCE IT unit by translating strategic plans into operational plans and ensuring alignment with TCE strategic goals, service standards, SLA commitments, and UT policies. Oversees the TCE IT Information Security program across TCE Administrative Offices, Program Offices, and Academic Departments. Resolves complex IT issues, manages competing priorities, leads cross-functional IT groups, and provides oversight for IT programs, initiatives, projects, documentation, equipment life-cycle management, software renewals, and installed systems databases. Manages a $500,000 IT budget with full budgetary oversight, including personnel budgeting, equipment replacement cycles, IT projects, IT supplies, billing accuracy, and budget initiatives. Serves as program manager for the annual Faculty/Staff Computer Upgrade Program and advisor for the annual Tech Fee Program, including roll-out, user guidance, approvals, vendor quotes, exceptions, documentation, and payment verification. Provides leadership and oversight for complex IT projects, with a focus on IT security initiatives and strategic college-wide projects. Serves as the primary point of contact, advisor, and decision-maker for aligning user needs with facilities and IT requirements, coordinating with deans, OIT, Facilities Services, and end-users regarding space, electrical, networking, phone, and A/V requirements. Consults with users to determine technology needs, researches and develops cost-effective solutions, monitors hardware operating conditions, and makes recommendations to users and TCE leadership. Monitors the college security program plan for compliance and reports findings to college leadership. Collaborates with managers, high-level OIT management, and other campus partners to communicate TCE technical requirements and align strategic direction. Serves as a TCE representative and expert resource on campus-level IT infrastructure initiatives, evaluates emerging technologies for potential college and campus deployment, and advises IT personnel on policies and best practices related to information security, networking, AV technology, system configuration, and system monitoring. Advises the TCE Office of Engineering Communications on implementation and maintenance…