Director, Center for Information Technology

Job Summary

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Director, Center for Information Technology (CIT), NIH. NIH is the foremost agency for funding biomedical research in the U.S., with a $47.5 billion budget supporting its mission to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and to use that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability. CIT is one of NIH’s 27 Institutes and Centers, with a workforce of approximately 250 Federal staff and 1,000 contractors and an annual budget of approximately $400 million. CIT’s organizational structure includes four major offices and 17 sub-office units. The Director, CIT brings extensive scientific and operational experience and expertise to advise and provide a broad range of advanced and emerging technology and data science capabilities to support the Office of the Director and the 27 Institutes and Centers as well as more than 2,500 universities and research institutions and 300,000 researchers supported by the NIH.

The Director, CIT establishes the scientific and operational strategic direction and leads the planning, development, implementation, and operations of NIH-wide mission-critical scientific computational infrastructure and advanced and emerging technology capabilities to enable NIH intramural and extramural biomedical research and support NIH institutional management functions. In this position, the Director, CIT, must assure 24 x 7 secure performance of a high-performance 100 gigabit distributed network, NIH-wide digital collaboration platforms, a world-class supercomputer resource, cybersecurity infrastructure and secure access to world-class data repositories and resources and collaborative scientific computing environments used internally at the NIH and globally by biomedical and information science leaders. As such, the Director, CIT, must possess a forward-facing vision of scientific computing, broad scientific and technical knowledge base to comprehend the depth and breadth of the NIH research mission and research portfolios, and remain abreast of the evolving research, technology, and management needs and best practices to create a forward-thinking and efficient technical environment. The Director is also responsible for leading highly technical multidisciplinary teams tasked with engineering and maintaining cutting-edge next-generation computational solutions and data science methodologies in support of the intramural program as well as selected NIH computationally intensive extramural research programs. This position reports directly to the Director, National Institutes of Health, and works closely with the NIH Chief Information Officer.

**A TOP-SECRET INVESTIGATION WILL BE REQUIRED. APPOINTMENT WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE APPLICANT'S SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE BACKGROUND SECURITY INVESTIGATION AND FAVORABLE ADJUDICATION. **

Required Qualifications

The Director, CIT will be a recognized leader who is able to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position within the framework of agency policies, mission, objectives, and resources. Possession of a Ph.D. (or similar degree) in computer science, data science, mathematics, statistics, or a relevant discipline, or demonstrated equivalent experience. They must have demonstrated expertise and significant accomplishment in designing, implementing, and modernizing highly complex distributed computing infrastructure, leveraging public and private resources in support of the conduct of major national programs. In addition, the candidate must have experience and demonstrated ability overseeing and establishing scientific and operational strategic direction while leading planning, development, implementation, and operations of a major national program with mission-critical scientific computational infrastructure and advanced and emerging technology capabilities. They must have excellent communication and speaking skills appropriate for diverse audiences and ability to work across diverse groups and develop solutions to challenges in a highly partnered and matrixed environment. Strong program management and relationship-building skills are essential to deliver multiple, interdependent initiatives that span many stakeholders.

Summary of Key Requirements

Ability to develop, deliver, and operate innovation-based tools and technology capabilities related to data science, computing, networking, and collaboration within and outside of a large complex multi-site IT organization managing and operating trans-organization platforms, systems, infrastructure, capabilities and services

Demonstrated ability in leading a large workforce involving management of technical teams, and providing training for new tools and technologies

Proven ability to formulate budgets and execute budgets for a large complex multi-site IT organization

Ability to advise leadership on risk-based cybersecurity management program—scope noted as computational infrastructure, capabilities, and data

Ability to expertly negotiate complex and sensitive data-management issues, formulate policies, and to present and defend polices, programs, and activities

Outstanding ability to execute complex plans and programs, meeting interim milestones and long-term objectives

Ability to build consensus among complex groups of stakeholders

Ability to handle confidential information with the utmost care and integrity

Demonstrated success in leading a diverse team of experts, managing multiple deadlines, providing exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills

Excellent communication skills appropriate for diverse audiences and the ability to maintain excellent working relationships with all stakeholders

Ability to carefully identify and prioritize information/reporting/analysis needs and translate/summarize key findings to provide strategy recommendations

Key Contributions and Points of Collaboration between Director, CIT, and NIH CIO

The Director, CIT oversees the technical, scientific, and operational direction of and emerging technology for NIH-wide computational infrastructure and services. In comparison, the NIH CIO develops IT policies and ensures NIH-wide compliance with federal laws, regulations, policies, and guidance (e.g., FITARA, FISMA); develops and implements governance frameworks, architecture and standard; and facilitates enterprise adoption of common tools and technologies. The Director, CIT and CIO work together to consult on the strategic leadership and management of IT direction and insurance of NIH’s information security.

Benefits

The Director, CIT will be appointed at a salary commensurate with the selectee’s qualifications and experience and NIH salary guidelines. Full Federal benefits will be provided, including retirement, health and life insurance, leave, and savings plan (401(k) equivalent). A recruitment or relocation incentive may be available, and relocation expenses may be paid.

Please read the following guidance on Selective Service requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Selection for this position will be based solely on merit, with no discrimination for non-merit reasons such as race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, age, or membership or non-membership in an employee organization. The NIH encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.

Standards of Conduct/Financial Disclosure

The National Institutes of Health inspires public confidence in our science by maintaining high ethical principles. NIH employees are subject to Federal government-wide regulations and statutes as well as agency-specific regulations described on the NIH Ethics website . We encourage you to review this information. The position requires the incumbent to complete a public financial disclosure report prior to the effective date of the appointment.

Foreign Education

Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is equivalent to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. We will only accept the completed foreign education evaluation. For more information on foreign education verification, visit the https://www.naces.org website . Verification must be received prior to the effective date of the appointment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, researches emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.

Reasonable Accommodation

NIH provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation during any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Job Details

Open Date
Fri, 01/06/23

Close Date
Open until filled

IC
CIT (Center for Information Technology)

Location

Bethesda, MD

Pay
Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Vacancy Contact
Brenda Fogel

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae, bibliography (if not included in your curriculum vitae), and a photocopy of their doctoral degree (if applicable). In addition, applicants are asked to prepare a supplemental narrative statement (no more than four pages) that addresses their vision for the NIH’s Center for Information Technology , their qualifications and interest in the position, and include a description of mentoring and outreach activities in which they have been involved, especially those involving women and persons from racial/ethnic or other groups that are underrepresented in biomedical research to: Brenda Fogel at SeniorRe@od.nih.gov (301-451-7338) by the closing date noted below.