
Director of Academic Technology & User Services (ATUS)
Western Washington U, Bellingham, Washington, us, 98227
Director of Academic Technology & User Services (ATUS)
Position Title: Director of Academic Technology & User Services (ATUS)
About the Position As a department of Western Washington University’s Information Technology Services (WWU ITS), Academic Technology and User Services (ATUS) delivers programs and services to the entire university with a focus on end‑user experience and academic/instructional technologies.
Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, the Director sets the vision for technology adoption, ensuring alignment with the university’s mission and continually evaluates services and operations, leading improvements to meet evolving institutional needs.
The position manages a $4M budget, balancing sustainability with innovation, and leverages departmental resources to maximize capacity. ATUS is comprised of 35 staff and about 100 student employees. The Director ensures the ongoing growth and development of ATUS employees, cultivating an ethic of care and building a culture that reflects the mission and values of ITS and WWU.
For more information, view the position profile:
Position Profile
Responsibilities
Oversee all units in ATUS, including the student and employee Service Desks, Device and Computer Lab support, Classroom Services, Video Services/Digital Media Center, and the Center for Instructional Innovation.
Set and communicate a strategic vision for academic technology and user services that aligns with Western’s mission.
Evaluate and improve services and operations, leading initiatives to meet the evolving needs of the university community.
Manage the $4M departmental budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and strategic investment in technology.
Lead and inspire a diverse team of staff and student employees, fostering professional growth and a culture of inclusive excellence.
Required Qualifications
Five years of progressive management experience in supporting customer‑focused technology services and direct reports within a large, complex organization.
Demonstrated ability to advance the application of technology to enhance ITS operations using a solutions‑based mindset.
Proven organizational, fiscal management, staff development, and supervisory skills.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with technology users in a diverse environment.
Superior oral and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s Degree and seven years or more leading a technology support organization in higher education.
Demonstrated experience managing IT Service Management tools, specifically Atlassian’s Jira.
Experience teaching instructional technology within higher education in the classroom and online.
Enterprise project or portfolio management experience.
Demonstrated ability to articulate an informed, nuanced vision for the application of innovative technologies like generative and agentic AI in an educational setting.
Conditions of Employment All employees must comply with our immunization policies, including proof of rubella measles immunity within 60‑days of hire. This position requires a fingerprint background check.
Salary range: $131,399–$151,109 per year; longevity position tops out at $170,818.
Application Materials Applicants should submit:
A cover letter describing your interest in the role and your approach to leadership.
A resume.
A 1–2 page statement responding to the following prompt:
"In this role, you will facilitate conversations with students, faculty, staff, and executive leadership about the use of generative and agentic AI at Western Washington University. Please describe your perspective on the benefits and risks of AI in higher education and how you would engage constructively with stakeholders who hold differing viewpoints."
Closing Date Application review begins March 25, 2026; position is open until filled.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on a Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu.
Disability Accommodations WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services at 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).
Background Check and Immunization Requirements All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires, including a sexual misconduct background check.
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About the Position As a department of Western Washington University’s Information Technology Services (WWU ITS), Academic Technology and User Services (ATUS) delivers programs and services to the entire university with a focus on end‑user experience and academic/instructional technologies.
Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, the Director sets the vision for technology adoption, ensuring alignment with the university’s mission and continually evaluates services and operations, leading improvements to meet evolving institutional needs.
The position manages a $4M budget, balancing sustainability with innovation, and leverages departmental resources to maximize capacity. ATUS is comprised of 35 staff and about 100 student employees. The Director ensures the ongoing growth and development of ATUS employees, cultivating an ethic of care and building a culture that reflects the mission and values of ITS and WWU.
For more information, view the position profile:
Position Profile
Responsibilities
Oversee all units in ATUS, including the student and employee Service Desks, Device and Computer Lab support, Classroom Services, Video Services/Digital Media Center, and the Center for Instructional Innovation.
Set and communicate a strategic vision for academic technology and user services that aligns with Western’s mission.
Evaluate and improve services and operations, leading initiatives to meet the evolving needs of the university community.
Manage the $4M departmental budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and strategic investment in technology.
Lead and inspire a diverse team of staff and student employees, fostering professional growth and a culture of inclusive excellence.
Required Qualifications
Five years of progressive management experience in supporting customer‑focused technology services and direct reports within a large, complex organization.
Demonstrated ability to advance the application of technology to enhance ITS operations using a solutions‑based mindset.
Proven organizational, fiscal management, staff development, and supervisory skills.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with technology users in a diverse environment.
Superior oral and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s Degree and seven years or more leading a technology support organization in higher education.
Demonstrated experience managing IT Service Management tools, specifically Atlassian’s Jira.
Experience teaching instructional technology within higher education in the classroom and online.
Enterprise project or portfolio management experience.
Demonstrated ability to articulate an informed, nuanced vision for the application of innovative technologies like generative and agentic AI in an educational setting.
Conditions of Employment All employees must comply with our immunization policies, including proof of rubella measles immunity within 60‑days of hire. This position requires a fingerprint background check.
Salary range: $131,399–$151,109 per year; longevity position tops out at $170,818.
Application Materials Applicants should submit:
A cover letter describing your interest in the role and your approach to leadership.
A resume.
A 1–2 page statement responding to the following prompt:
"In this role, you will facilitate conversations with students, faculty, staff, and executive leadership about the use of generative and agentic AI at Western Washington University. Please describe your perspective on the benefits and risks of AI in higher education and how you would engage constructively with stakeholders who hold differing viewpoints."
Closing Date Application review begins March 25, 2026; position is open until filled.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on a Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu.
Disability Accommodations WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services at 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).
Background Check and Immunization Requirements All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires, including a sexual misconduct background check.
#J-18808-Ljbffr