Interim Executive Director - Contract - Columbia, SC

Interim Executive Director – IT Operations & Transformation
Location: Columbia, SC Fully Onsite

Interview Process: 1 Round of Virtual OR Onsite Interviews
Employment Type: Contract
Experience Required: 08 Years

Project Scope:

We are seeking an experienced Interim Executive Director to provide immediate organizational stabilization and transformational leadership during a period of significant organizational change.

The successful candidate will lead a comprehensive transformation initiative focused on improving operational effectiveness, rebuilding organizational culture, establishing accountability, and implementing sustainable management practices. This role requires a proven executive leader with experience managing complex technology organizations, leading organizational change, and driving operational improvements.

The Interim Executive Director will work closely with senior leadership and stakeholders to stabilize operations, improve governance, align resources with strategic priorities, and prepare the organization for permanent leadership transition.

Key Responsibilities:

· Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for departmental operations.

· Lead organizational transformation, restructuring, and culture improvement initiatives.

· Assess organizational structure, staffing models, leadership effectiveness, and operational processes.

· Identify organizational challenges, inefficiencies, and barriers impacting performance.

· Develop and execute corrective action plans to improve operational effectiveness.

· Restructure reporting relationships, staffing models, and operational responsibilities as needed.

· Establish performance expectations and improve employee accountability.

· Address personnel and employee relations issues in partnership with Human Resources.

· Supervise managers, supervisors, and professional staff.

· Improve collaboration with business partners, stakeholders, and executive leadership.

· Establish governance, communication, and decision-making frameworks.

· Manage departmental priorities, budgets, and resource allocation.

· Ensure compliance with security standards, policies, audit requirements, and regulatory obligations.

· Stabilize critical IT operations while implementing long-term improvements.

· Develop strategic recommendations, operational procedures, and transition plans for permanent leadership.

· Mentor internal leaders and support succession planning.

· Provide executive-level reports, recommendations, and updates to senior leadership.

Required Skills & Experience:

· 8 years of executive leadership or senior management experience.

· 8 years of relevant experience may be substituted through an equivalent combination of education, certifications, training, and professional experience.

· 3 years of experience leading executive-level organizational transformation and change management initiatives.

· 3 years of experience managing organizational restructuring and culture change.

· 3 years of executive leadership experience within large, complex technology organizations.

· 3 years of experience managing personnel, coaching teams, and driving performance accountability.

· Strong understanding of organizational strategy, governance, and operational improvement.

· Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Skills:

· Experience leading organizational turnaround initiatives.

· Experience rebuilding organizational culture following periods of instability.

· Experience implementing governance frameworks and operational maturity models.

· Experience managing organizational change within higher education environments.

· Experience developing enterprise IT strategies.

· Experience working with: Executive leadership teams, Governing boards, Cabinet-level administration

· Knowledge of: Network operations, Project management, Change management

• Enterprise network architecture and engineering
  

· Experience supporting audit remediation and risk management initiatives.

Education

Bachelor's degree required.