Fast Facts

The Salk Institute is seeking a Director of Information Systems to lead a team in managing data integration, reporting, and software development for both administrative and research operations, with an emphasis on implementing modern software solutions and driving technology adoption.

Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include managing a team of 7, liaising with stakeholders to align technology needs, ensuring system integrations, developing reporting dashboards, and championing continuous improvement through technology.

Skills: Required skills include leadership in IT, expertise in data architectures, familiarity with COTS solutions, project management, and software development experience in various programming languages and cloud ecosystems.

Qualifications: Preferred qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, 10 years of IT experience with at least 8 in leadership, experience in research or nonprofit environments, and strong communication skills for diverse stakeholder engagement.

Location: La Jolla, California, USA

Compensation: $160000 - $160000 / Annually

The Salk Institute seeks a Director of Information Systems to manage the data integration, reporting, and software development team that supports administrative and research operations. This role emphasizes the adoption of modern, commercial off-the-shelf solutions for business operations while recognizing that there will be need to develop both custom integrations and limited home-grown software solutions if commercial alternatives do not exist. The Director is responsible for ensuring systems are integrated, reliable, and aligned with mission-critical needs. Reporting to the CIO and managing 7 technical staff, the Director provides leadership in applying technology - including artificial intelligence and automation—to streamline processes and improve decision-making. The position offers a unique opportunity to shape Salk’s digital landscape, supporting world-class science and institutional growth.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members , the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Team Leadership and Development: Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of 7 technical staff responsible for, integration, reporting, software development and technical support for core business systems, including Banner. Provide clear direction and set priorities for the team, balancing ongoing operational support with strategic project initiatives. Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture, encouraging professional growth through training and mentorship. Conduct regular performance evaluations, recognize achievements, and guide the team in adopting best practices in agile project management, DevOps, and customer service. Ensure the team works closely with other IT units (infrastructure, support, etc.) and with end-user departments to deliver excellent service and technical solutions.

Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as a primary liaison between the Information Systems team and administrative and research stakeholders. Proactively engage with administrators, faculty, and core facility users to understand their technology needs and pain points. Translate business and research requirements into effective IT solutions, ensuring that IT initiatives remain closely aligned with the Institute’s strategic plan.

Systems Integration & Data Architecture: Ensure seamless integration of enterprise applications and databases across the Institute, so that data flows efficiently between systems (e.g. linking research data systems with financial, HR, grant development, and facilities system). Oversee development of robust interfaces and use of integration platforms/API strategies to connect disparate systems into a cohesive digital ecosystem.

Reporting and Business Operations Dashboards: Develop and maintain interactive digital reports and dashboards that deliver clear, timely, and actionable insights to Institute leadership. This role ensures that financial, HR, grants, and facilities data are presented in intuitive formats that support data-informed decision-making. By championing modern reporting practices and tools, the Director drives a culture of transparency, accountability, and strategic alignment across the organization.

Enterprise Systems Management: Champion the use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software and cloud-based solutions to meet these needs, minimizing custom development by selecting, implementing, and configuring proven vendor systems.

Business Process Improvement & Automation: Drive continuous improvement and modernization of business processes using technology. Collaborate with administrative departments (Finance, HR, Operations, etc.) to analyze workflows and redesign processes for efficiency, leveraging automation tools, workflow management software, and AI where applicable. Identify opportunities to implement robotic process automation (RPA) or AI driven analytics to reduce manual effort, eliminate pain points, and improve service delivery.

Software Development: Oversee software development efforts that prioritize data integration across core business platforms, leveraging commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions whenever possible. Custom development is pursued only when no suitable COTS options exist, ensuring resources are applied strategically to meet institutional needs. This role requires strong expertise in CI/CD pipelines, agile methodologies, and professional software engineering practices to deliver secure, scalable, and reliable solutions.

Security, Compliance & Data Governance: Work closely with the CIO and Information Security teams to ensure all information systems follow best-in-class security practices and compliance standards. Implement appropriate access controls, data privacy safeguards, and cybersecurity measures across applications, particularly where research data or personal information is involved.

Project Management & Delivery: Oversee a portfolio of IT projects – from major system implementations to iterative enhancements – ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget. Utilize formal project management methodologies to plan, track, and report on project progress.

Strategic Technology Leadership: Develop and implement a forward-looking enterprise information systems strategy that aligns with the Institute’s scientific mission and operational goals. Identify opportunities where technology can advance research objectives and improve administrative efficiency, keeping Salk at the cutting edge of IT in the not-for-profit research sector.

Vendor Management: Manages third-party vendor relationships to ensure needs and contractual obligations are met; partners with Procurement, especially during contract reviews, to ensure business needs are identified and addressed.

As a senior member of the IT leadership team, performs other related duties as assigned by the Chief Information Officer.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly supervises 7 employees within the IT department.

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

Responsibilities include performance evaluation and personnel management, interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

What we Require

Bachelor's Degree (BA) in computer science, information science, business or related field from a four-year college or university.

Ten years of progressively responsible experience in information technology, with at least 8 years in leadership roles overseeing data integration architectures, ERP system integration, wand reporting platforms for operational data. Experience in research, academic, or nonprofit environment supporting scientific data systems is highly desirable.

Five to ten years of software development oversight.

Proven leadership skills in building and directing high-performing teams. Ability to mentor staff and foster a positive, inclusive team culture dedicated to excellence and innovation. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, including the capacity to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders (from scientists to finance staff) and to convey technical concepts in approachable terms.

Deep understanding of enterprise software architectures and integration techniques. Familiarity with COTS solutions for common business needs (Finance, HR, grants management, etc.) and with tools for data integration (such as ETL pipelines or API management).

Awareness of AI and automation technologies (machine learning, RPA, business intelligence tools) and how they can be responsibly applied to improve operations.

Extensive experience with project management, specifically as a project leader on enterprise level initiatives.

Experience with data warehouse concepts and electronic data interchange systems.

Computer skills/experience required:

  *Application development technologies and programming languages such as PHP, Java, and Python; tools such as version control systems and processes

 *Cloud ecosystems (Amazon AWS, Google cloud), PaaS solutions (e.g., Salesforce), and cloud application solutions (e.g., Box, Asana, Zoom)

 *Services oriented architecture (SOA), web services design, XML,  REST technologies

 *Database technologies including Oracle and MySQL

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive  benefits , including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk’s pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym “I CARE” provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:

1. Any combination of characteristics.

2. A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.

3. A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.