Interim IT Director - Research Computing (Contract)

Concordant LLC is seeking an experienced Interim IT Director - Research Computing to support a client in Columbia, South Carolina. This position will provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and organizational transformation within a research computing environment.

This temporary contract position will focus on stabilizing departmental operations, improving organizational effectiveness, strengthening team performance, and implementing sustainable management practices during a period of transition.

This is a six-month contract engagement with the possibility of extension based on client needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead research computing operations, technology infrastructure, and departmental services.
• Drive organizational change initiatives to improve workplace culture, accountability, and operational performance.
• Assess existing infrastructure, workflows, projects, and resource requirements.
• Supervise and mentor managers, technical professionals, and student staff.
• Establish operational procedures, governance frameworks, and performance metrics.
• Improve service delivery, customer engagement, and project tracking.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on strategic priorities, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Ensure compliance with client policies, security standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop organizational recommendations and transition plans for permanent leadership.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Extensive experience leading organizational transformation, change management, and service delivery optimization.
• Demonstrated experience managing large, complex technology projects.
• Significant experience in personnel management, coaching, and performance accountability.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making skills.
• Proven ability to implement operational improvements in complex technology environments., * Master’s degree in science, technology, or a related field.
• Experience with research cyberinfrastructure, high-performance computing (HPC), high-speed storage, and networking technologies.
• Experience implementing IT governance and operational maturity frameworks.
• Experience leading organizational change in higher education.
• ITIL certification or related service management experience.
• Experience with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud infrastructure.
• Knowledge of AI infrastructure and HPC technologies, including Slurm and InfiniBand.
• Carpentries Instructor certification or related training., * Bachelor’s (Required), * organizational transformation or change mgmt: 8 years (Required)
• leading large complex tech projects: 8 years (Required)
• personnel management, coaching, performance: 8 years (Required)
• research cyber infrastructure/computing, storage, networking: 1 year (Preferred)
• implementing governance & op maturity framework: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Columbia, SC 29201