About the role

Position Title:

Parking Director

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and 7 years of related experience

Job Description:

The Department of Public Safety at Iowa State University is seeking a collaborative, innovative, and service-oriented leader to serve as the Parking Director. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President for Public Safety/ Chief of Police. This position provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for Parking Services and plays a critical role in supporting the mobility, accessibility, and overall campus experience for students, faculty, staff, and visitors across a university community of more than 30,000 students.

The Parking Director is responsible for directing and managing all aspects of Parking Services operations, including parking enforcement, permit administration, transportation coordination, customer service operations, parking technology systems, citation and appeals processes, and long-range planning initiatives. This position oversees Parking Services staff, including professional and merit employees, temporary employees, and student staff, while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and exceptional customer service.

This role oversees a self-supporting enterprise operation with responsibility for financial planning, operational budgeting, revenue management, and long-term capital planning related to parking infrastructure and systems. The Parking Director develops strategic initiatives and operational solutions that support the evolving needs of the campus community while ensuring operational efficiency and compliance with university policies and applicable regulations.

The Parking Director serves as the primary point of contact for campus parking operations and collaborates extensively with Athletics, Facilities Planning and Management, Residence, student organizations, General Counsel, ISU Police, CyRide, the City of Ames, contractors, and community stakeholders on transportation initiatives, special events, parking planning, construction impacts, and campus mobility solutions. This role also oversees parking operations related to university events, road and lot closures, and campus construction projects.

Additional responsibilities include managing parking technology systems and software platforms, overseeing parking citations and appeals, coordinating parking facility maintenance and snow removal efforts, supporting ADA parking compliance initiatives, and developing strategic parking plans that align with university growth and operational priorities.

Iowa State University Department of Public Safety employees support the Department’s vision and mission by operating in a fair and unbiased manner that respects the rights and dignity of all individuals. Employees’ everyday actions are guided by the Department’s values of Respect, Integrity, Caring, Honor, Excellence, and Service (RICHES) and grounded in the highest ethical and professional standards. Employees are expected to work in partnership with the campus and surrounding communities to provide leadership in solving problems, supporting access and mobility, and helping maintain a safe environment in support of the university’s mission.

The ideal candidate will have experience managing parking operations, transportation services, business operations, public safety support services, facilities operations, or similar operational programs. They will be a highly experienced and strategic leader with a proven ability to oversee complex operations, particularly within higher education or comparable environments.

This individual will demonstrate strong leadership and supervisory experience, effectively manage professional staff and operational teams while foster accountability and collaboration. They will also have a solid background in financial management, including budgeting, operational expenditures, financial reporting, forecasting and strategic initiatives to executive leadership or governing bodies.

The successful candidate will be an effective communicator, able to engage confidently with a wide range of stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, senior leadership, and external partners. They will excel in interpreting and implementing policies and operational standards while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, including ADA accessibility requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

Certified Administrator of Public Parking (CAPP) credential through the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI)
Proficiency with parking management systems, business software applications, and operational technology platforms.
Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, higher education administration, transportation planning, or a related field.

Example of Duties

Directs and manages the daily operations of Parking Services.

Oversees parking permit processes for students, faculty, staff, vendors, contractors, and visitors.

Manages all parking citation and appeals processes and serves as the authority regarding citations, questions, and payments.

Oversees parking technology systems, software platforms, web content, and operational hardware systems.

Supervises Parking Services staff and provides leadership, training, coaching, performance management, and operational guidance.

Develops strategic plans, operational goals, and long-range initiatives for Parking Services operations.

Prepares and manages operational budgets, financial projections, and revenue forecasts for a self-supporting enterprise operation.

Coordinates parking operations and transportation planning for major campus events, construction projects, and campus initiatives.

Serves as liaison between university departments, student organizations, external agencies, community partners, and university leadership.

Collaborates with Facilities Planning and Management, ISU Police, Athletics, Residence, CyRide, General Counsel, and the City of Ames on parking and transportation initiatives.

Oversees parking facility planning, maintenance coordination, ADA compliance initiatives, and snow removal operations.

Coordinates transportation and parking accommodations for campus visitors, conferences, buses, and large groups.

Interprets, develops, implements, and recommends policies, procedures, and operational improvements related to parking and transportation services.

Analyzes operational data and develops recommendations to improve efficiency, customer service, and campus mobility.

Oversees contracts, vendor relationships, and parking-related operational agreements.

Participates as a member of the Department of Public Safety leadership team and contributes to departmental strategic initiatives.

Level Guidelines

Provides input into annual departmental objectives and action plans.

Accountable for achievement of key annual objectives for Parking Services operations.

May provide input into institutional policy within area of functional expertise.

Responsible for functional output of a department or work team.

Manages subordinate staff.

Has full management responsibility for direct reports, specifically the authority to hire, fire, and counsel.

May provide input to the budgeting process.

Requests approval for financial actions beyond a limited scope.

May provide input into financial decisions that impact department or work area

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type:

Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS811

Original Posting Date:

May 15, 2026

Posting Close Date:

June 5, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R19232

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

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