Director, IT Solutions Architecture and Engineering – Information Technology

UAE nationals are encouraged to apply 

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) seeks to appoint a Director, IT Solutions Architecture and Engineering reporting to Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Special Advisor to the COO for Strategic Initiatives.

The Director, IT Solutions Architecture and Engineering leads technology solutions architecture and engineering efforts for NYU Abu Dhabi, focusing on the strategic design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the university's core IT infrastructure services. The Director is responsible for architecting and delivering robust, scalable, secure, and integrated infrastructure and endpoint technology services that support research, teaching, learning, and operations. This includes designing and building comprehensive IT solutions by translating business needs into scalable, secure, and supportable technical systems. Concurrently, the role maintains a strong focus on architecting the necessary data pipelines, computing infrastructure, and foundational frameworks specifically to enable secure and effective AI development and its strategic integration into both new and existing IT solutions across all university functions.

Reporting to the CIO, the director oversees infrastructure lifecycle planning, engineering execution, and innovation across key services like data centers, networks, classroom technology, AV, cloud platforms, AI enablement and research computing, delivered through centralized and endpoint services. A key accountability is to guarantee all developed solutions have a formal service support model in place; this involves managing the handoff to IT Service Management and IT Operations teams, ensuring solutions are reliably supported and manageable long-term. As part of a global university system, this position also plays a strategic role in aligning locally engineered services with globally provisioned IT systems, ensuring seamless interoperability while addressing unique local needs.

Key Responsibilities: 

Lead IT Solution Design, Engineering & Delivery

• This is the core activity of the role, encompassing the entire process from identifying needs to delivering functional technology. It involves understanding what different university departments require from technology, then translating those needs into clear technical requirements and comprehensive solution designs. The Director leads the engineering and implementation of these solutions, overseeing the creation of robust, scalable, and secure IT systems, including networks, data centers, classroom tools, AV, cloud services, endpoint devices, etc.. This ensures all technology directly supports and enhances the university's academic, research, and operational goals

Manage Infrastructure Lifecycle & Drive Innovation

• This responsibility covers managing the entire lifespan of the university's core IT infrastructure and architectures, including overseeing significant capital and lifecycle projects, from planning for new technologies to replacing old ones, and actively introducing innovative solutions. It means forecasting future needs, evaluating new products, and leading initiatives to keep the university's technology modern and competitive. The goal is to ensure the university always has the best tools to adapt and thrive

Architect & Enable AI Capabilities

• This duty involves designing the underlying technology foundations specifically for Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the university's systems. This includes architecting the necessary data pipelines, computing infrastructure, and foundational frameworks. The aim is to enable secure and effective AI development and its strategic integration into new and existing IT solutions across all university functions

Align Local IT with Global University Systems

• This duty ensures that IT systems used at NYU Abu Dhabi work seamlessly with the larger global IT systems provided by NYU. It involves collaborating with central NYU IT teams, sharing local needs, and ensuring compatibility and interoperability between local and global systems. The purpose is to provide a unified and consistent technology experience across the entire global university network

Ensure Service Support & Operational Readiness

• This duty is about guaranteeing that every new IT solution developed has a clear, formal plan for ongoing support once it's built. It involves creating formal service support models and working closely with the IT Service Management and IT Operations teams to transfer knowledge and documentation. The aim is to ensure all solutions remain stable and perform well, providing uninterrupted service

Departmental Leadership & Resource Management

• This responsibility covers leading and managing the IT Architecture and Engineering department itself, overseeing its people, budget, and internal operations. This includes recruiting, developing, and mentoring a high-performing team. The purpose is to build and sustain a capable, efficient, and well-resourced department that consistently delivers on its strategic technical objectives and fosters a culture of excellence

Required Education: 

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or diploma in a related field or 25+ years of relevant industry experience

Preferred Education: 

• Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration (MBA), or a related technical discipline

Required Experience: 

• 10+ years of progressive experience in IT infrastructure architecture, systems integration, software engineering, or infrastructure design, with a significant portion focused on solutions service delivery within large scale enterprise or academic environments
• 5+ years of experience in a senior leadership or directorial role, managing multidisciplinary technical teams, with direct accountability for infrastructure planning, project delivery, and support strategy
• Extensive experience with designing, implementing, and managing core IT infrastructure services including , data networks, data centers,  cloud integrated platforms (IaaS/PaaS), unified communications, audio visual and endpoint devices and enterprise systems
• Demonstrated leadership in lifecycle refresh projects, capital planning, and the delivery of high-value infrastructure new build and upgrades across diverse organisational areas
• Extensive experience in asset lifecycle management, including the development and execution of long-term refresh strategies, capital planning, and the implementation of structured asset tracking systems and workflows
• Proven experience in manufacturer and vendor management, managing and negotiating contracts, leading procurement strategies and workflows for complex technical systems
• Extensive experience managing multi-disciplinary engineering teams, ensuring timely, cost-effective delivery of high-impact IT solutions
• Proven track record of overseeing large-scale solution deployments, including vendor engagement, contract negotiation, and technical handover into operational support frameworks
• Deep understanding of service transition planning, ITSM processes, and operational readiness across infrastructure and end-user technology domains
• Ability to translate institutional goals into practical technology roadmaps and service-aligned solutions that meet operational needs
• Deep expertise in enterprise architecture frameworks and methodologies, with practical experience applying these to large-scale, IT, AV and hybrid infrastructure systems
• Profound understanding of scalable, secure, and resilient system design principles and integration methodologies
• Strong knowledge of cloud computing platforms and hybrid infrastructure strategies, with experience integrating IT systems into broader cloud-based service ecosystems
• Comprehensive understanding of networking, cybersecurity principles, and data governance best practices
• Strong knowledge of asset lifecycle planning and asset management methodologies, with experience implementing structured frameworks for tracking, forecasting, and optimising the utilisation and replacement of technology assets across large-scale environments
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex business and functional requirements into robust technical specifications, infrastructure and architectural designs
• Exceptional leadership, team-building, and mentorship skills, with a track record of developing high-performing technical support and engineering talent
• Superior communication and presentation skills, adept at articulating complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, project and non-technical stakeholders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to navigate complex technical challenges, drive consensus and make informed strategic decisions in evolving institutional environments
• In-depth knowledge and practical understanding of service management frameworks, with a focus on embedding support models into infrastructure deployments to ensure efficient, sustainable operations and measurable service performance

Preferred Experience: 

• Relevant professional certifications in cloud architecture (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert)
• Certifications in IT Service Management (e.g., ITIL Expert) or Project Management (e.g., PMP)
• Certification or demonstrable expertise in AI/ML solution design or architecture
• Knowledge of higher education specific IT challenges and opportunities, particularly in supporting research, teaching, hybrid learning, and large-scale event environments
• Familiarity with research computing environments and requirements
• Understanding of DevOps and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) principles, with a focus on operationalising and maintaining resilient infrastructure and systems
• Experience developing in-house platforms for management, data reporting, and support workflow optimisation, aligned with service management frameworks
• Ability to bridge technical and operational domains by translating institutional goals into sustainable, scalable infrastructure strategies
• Ability to influence strategic direction and drive consensus across diverse technical and non-technical teams, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and service delivery goals
• A forward-thinking mindset with a passion for leveraging emerging technologies to solve institutional challenges
• Skilled in leading cross-functional initiatives involving infrastructure planning, user experience design, procurement, and policy development in complex institutional settings
• Strong ability to balance innovation with operational sustainability, ensuring new architecture and systems are supportable, cost-effective, and deliver measurable long-term value
• Committed to continuous improvement through strategic planning, team development, and the application of practical, technology-driven solutions that streamline workflows, increase efficiency, and support institutional excellence

About NYUAD

NYU Abu Dhabi is a degree-granting research university with a fully integrated liberal arts and science undergraduate program in the Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Engineering. NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU New York, and NYU Shanghai, form the backbone of NYU’s global network university, an interconnected network of portal campuses and academic centers across six continents that enable seamless international mobility of students and faculty in their pursuit of academic and scholarly activity. This global university represents a transformative shift in higher education, one in which the intellectual and creative endeavors of academia are shaped and examined through an international and multicultural perspective. As a major intellectual hub at the crossroads of the Arab world, NYUAD serves as a center for scholarly thought, advanced research, knowledge creation, and sharing, through its academic, research, and creative activities.