"Director of Information Technology"

Job Details

POSITION SUMMARY :

The Director of Information Technology serves as the Chief Technology Officer for the American University of Iraq–Baghdad (AUIB). This role provides strategic vision and operational leadership for the University’s technology infrastructure, enterprise applications, cybersecurity program, and digital services.

The Director is responsible for the reliability, availability, and security of AUIB’s critical systems—including the Oracle ERP (Fusion Cloud) and Student Information Systems (PeopleSoft Campus Solutions)—while managing a complex, 24/7 residential campus network supporting academic buildings, administrative offices, student services, and faculty/staff housing. This position requires a hands-on leader who can bridge technical operations and institutional priorities, enforce disciplined controls, ensure fiscal responsibility, and maintain compliance with relevant Iraqi legal requirements and US higher education standards (including accreditation and data protection expectations).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Strategic Leadership, Governance, and Controls

• IT Strategy & Roadmap: Develop and execute a multi-year IT strategic plan and annual operating plan aligned with AUIB’s academic mission and administrative objectives; advise the COO/CFO, President, and senior leadership on priorities and emerging technologies.
• IT Governance & Portfolio Management: Establish and lead governance processes for project prioritization, enterprise architecture standards, data stewardship, and change control to prevent fragmented solutions and ensure campus-wide alignment.
• Policy, Risk & Compliance: Develop, implement, and enforce policies and standards for cybersecurity, data privacy, acceptable use, identity and access management, and technology procurement. Ensure compliance with applicable Iraqi requirements and recognized US higher education expectations (e.g., student record confidentiality principles).
• Budget & Financial Stewardship: Develop and manage IT operating and capital budgets; manage lifecycle planning and total cost of ownership (TCO) for hardware/software; ensure funds are optimized and obligations follow AUIB procurement controls.

2. Enterprise Applications, Integration, and Data Management

• ERP & SIS Leadership: Oversee administration, performance, security, and continuous improvement of Oracle Fusion Cloud (Finance/HCM) and PeopleSoft (Campus Solutions), including vendor coordination, environment management, and release planning.
• Business Process Improvement: Partner with Finance, HR, Procurement, Bursar/Cashiering, Admissions, Registrar, and Financial Aid to automate workflows, reduce manual workarounds, improve data integrity, and strengthen internal controls.
• Data Governance & Reporting: Lead the institution’s approach to data definitions, master data governance, system integrations, and reporting reliability to support leadership decision-making and accreditation/operational reporting needs.
• Information Security for Sensitive Data: Implement protections for student records, financial data, and institutional intellectual property—ensuring appropriate access controls, audit logs, encryption where needed, and secure data handling practices.

3. Infrastructure & Operations (24/7 Campus)

• Network Availability & Resilience: Direct the design, stability, and monitoring of campus LAN/WAN/Wi-Fi, supporting academic and residential zones; ensure high availability and redundancy for internet services (e.g., fiber and secondary links as applicable).
• Data Center & Cloud Operations: Oversee physical and virtual server environments, storage, backups, and cloud services; ensure appropriate power/cooling planning, UPS/generator integration, and environmental controls suitable for the Baghdad climate.
• Service Management & Customer Support: Direct IT Service Desk operations and field support; implement service management practices (ticketing, SLAs, escalation, problem management, knowledge base, customer satisfaction measures).
• Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery: Maintain and test disaster recovery and continuity plans for critical services; conduct periodic tabletop exercises and restore testing, with documented recovery objectives for core systems.

4. Cybersecurity, Vulnerability Management, and Incident Response

• Cybersecurity Program: Build and maintain a practical, enterprise-grade security program (policies, awareness training, monitoring, patching, endpoint protection, vulnerability management, incident response).
• Risk Reduction: Lead routine vulnerability assessments and remediation; maintain standards aligned with widely recognized frameworks (e.g., NIST/ISO principles appropriate to AUIB’s environment and maturity).
• Incident Management: Direct response to cybersecurity incidents and major outages, ensuring documented triage, communication protocols, post-incident review, and prevention of recurrence.

5. Procurement, Asset Management, and Vendor Oversight

• Contract & Vendor Management: Manage relationships with local and international ISPs, software vendors (e.g., Oracle, Microsoft), and hardware suppliers; define service expectations and enforce performance.
• Strict Procurement Compliance: Ensure all IT purchases are initiated through approved Purchase Requisitions and follow competitive bidding and contract review requirements; serve as technical authority in scope validation to prevent negligence, scope creep, and unauthorized commitments.
• Asset & License Management: Implement controls for inventory, asset tagging, software licensing, renewals, and access provisioning/deprovisioning to ensure compliance and cost discipline.

6. People Leadership and Capacity Building

• Team Leadership: Recruit, lead, mentor, and evaluate a diverse team of IT managers, engineers, and support staff; set clear expectations and performance measures; implement professional development plans.
• Knowledge Transfer & Sustainability: Build internal capability through training, documentation, and cross-training—prioritizing development of local staff and long-term operational resilience.
• Culture & Service Orientation: Foster a high-performance, service-oriented environment emphasizing accountability, responsiveness, integrity, and continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education :

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, Information Systems, or Business Administration (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Preferred: Master’s degree (MBA/MS) and/or relevant certifications (e.g., CISSP/CISM, PMP/PRINCE2, ITIL, cloud/network certifications).

Experience:

• Management: Minimum 7–10 years of progressively responsible IT experience, including 3–5 years in a leadership role (Director/Associate Director level).
• Enterprise Systems: Demonstrated experience implementing, administering, or optimizing Tier-1 ERP/SIS platforms (Oracle Fusion, PeopleSoft, Banner, or similar).
• Higher Education: Significant experience in higher education or similarly complex, multi-stakeholder environments strongly preferred.
• International/Regional: Experience working in the Middle East or comparable international contexts highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Technical: Strong knowledge of enterprise IT operations, cloud architecture (Oracle Cloud/AWS/Azure), network engineering (e.g., Cisco/Meraki or comparable), identity and access management, and cybersecurity principles.
• Operational: Ability to manage IT operations in resource-constrained, logistics-heavy, and high-availability campus environments.
• Leadership & Change Management: Ability to drive change, implement disciplined controls, and communicate technical concepts to non-technical leadership.
• Communication: Professional fluency in English (written and verbal) required; Arabic is an asset.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Location: Based on AUIB campus in Baghdad, Iraq.
• Hours: Standard office hours with on-call availability for emergency outages, major incidents, and planned maintenance windows.
• Environment: Office-based with frequent visits to data rooms/server rooms, campus facilities, housing areas, and occasional construction/fit-out sites.

#LI-REMOT

Why AUIB?

Diversity and Inclusivity: At AUIB, we champion diversity and inclusivity in every aspect of campus life. Our vibrant community is a tapestry of cultures, ideas, and dreams, ensuring a welcoming environment for everyone through fair and equal policies.

Competitive Benefits: AUIB offers competitive salaries, comprehensive health plans, and generous leave policies, ensuring the well-being and satisfaction of our staff.

Professional Development: With numerous opportunities for career progression and professional development, AUIB is the ideal place to enhance your skills and advance your career.

A Thriving Community: Our expatriate faculty and staff enjoy comfortable on-campus accommodations, and a vibrant campus equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including an expansive library, modern classrooms, and recreational amenities.

A Legacy of Excellence: Situated in Baghdad, AUIB is dedicated to reviving the city’s historic legacy of learning and culture. Joining AUIB means being part of a prestigious project envisioned by prominent figures in business, government, and education.

Application Requirements:

To be considered for any role at the American University of Iraq—Baghdad (AUIB), applicants are required to submit the following documents:

• Cover letter: Detail how your skills and experience align with the specific requirements of the position you are applying for.
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae: Provide an up-to-date resume or CV.
• Identification: A valid national ID or passport is required for the application process.

Please note that applications missing any of these components will not be considered.

Candidates Shortlisted for an Interview:

If you are shortlisted for an interview, you will need to provide additional documentation:

• Educational transcripts and certifications must be translated into English.
• References: Provide contact details for three references who have either worked with you or supervised your work.