Head of IT (m/w)

At the University of Notre Dame, our mission extends across the globe, reaching twelve Global Locations in ten countries. From Rome and Dublin to London, Jerusalem, and Beijing, technology is the core engine that binds this international network together, ensuring our students, faculty, and staff receive a consistent, secure, and world-class digital experience no matter where they are.
We are seeking a highly strategic IT Director, Global Solutions to be the senior technology leader for Notre Dame Global (NDG). Based at our Rome location, this role is the critical liaison between our global sites and the central Office of Information Technology (OIT). It requires a strategic visionary who can simultaneously lead a distributed team, champion digital transformation, and ensure every global location adheres to University IT policies, cybersecurity standards, and data privacy requirements. This position reports directly to the Senior Director, Enhanced Technology Partnerships (Enterprise Solutions). The role operates within a global, matrixed environment, working closely with global leadership and collaborating with the Director of Notre Dame Rome, where the position is based, on local administrative and day-to-day site matters.

As the IT Director, you will combine strategic oversight, people leadership, and deep technical expertise to set the course for technology across Notre Dame's global network:
Strategic Vision, Compliance, and Security: Develop and execute clear, cohesive IT strategies and roadmaps that align with Notre Dame Global (NDG) goals and global compliance requirements. You will lead the design and implementation of IT systems across all global sites. Crucially, you will champion digital transformation and ensure adherence to University IT policies, standards, cybersecurity, and data privacy requirements across all international locations.
Global Team and Vendor Leadership: Provide comprehensive leadership for a distributed IT team, including managing, coaching, and mentoring three direct reports to foster a culture of growth and service excellence. You will also oversee and govern contractors, consultants, and managed service providers, ensuring effective accountability and service level achievement.
Oversee day-to-day IT operations, including infrastructure, networking, classroom technologies, and enterprise systems across the global network. You will establish and enforce best practices for IT governance and risk management, and serve as the escalation point for major IT incidents. This includes developing and managing IT budgets, resource planning, and procurement related to global IT service delivery.
Process Improvement and Solution Design: Partner extensively with staff and the NDG Director of Operations to analyse workflows and identify IT trends that improve the overall computing environment. You will collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to ensure technology enhances teaching, learning, and administrative operations, recommending and implementing scalable solutions.
Strategic Liaison and Community Engagement: Act as the strategic advisor and representative of Notre Dame Global on relevant IT committees across the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and main campus. You will cultivate strong, collaborative relationships across the global network to drive successful outcomes and promote IT awareness and digital security best practices among the wider student and staff community during international events and orientations
Must have legal authorization to work in the EU.
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, MIS, or a related field.
IT leadership experience, including direct people management responsibility and vendor oversight.
Strong background in IT governance, systems lifecycle management, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Exceptional communication, cross-cultural, and stakeholder management skills, with the proven ability to build strong partnerships and act as a strategic advisor.
Demonstrated knowledge of cybersecurity principles and experience with global IT risk assessments and international regulatory frameworks (e.g., GDPR), including an understanding of Data Protection Officer (DPO) responsibilities related to data protection compliance, privacy risk assessment, and internal stakeholder coordination.
Ability to travel internationally without restriction, with a valid passport and the ability to obtain required visas.

Experience leading IT functions in complex global, academic, or multi-site environments.
Demonstrated knowledge of cybersecurity principles and experience with, or knowledge of, global IT risk assessments and international regulatory frameworks (e.g., Knowledge of and experience with Networking, Identity and Access Management (IAM) and IT Service Management practices (e.g., ITIL, ServiceNow)
Skilled in project and change management methodologies (e.g., Agile/Waterfall) for managing complex, international initiatives.
Travel Requirements: The IT Director, Global Solutions role demands frequent international travel without restriction to our main campus in the United States and to Notre Dame's global locations.
This is a fully onsite position, based at Via Ostilia, 15 00184 Roma Italia
The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a).