IT Program and Operations Lead

Van Andel Institute (VAI), a world-class biomedical research institute, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is dedicated to improving human health. We are pioneers in the fight against cancer, Parkinson's, and other diseases. We are committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists and educators.

Van Andel Institute is seeking a strategic and operationally-minded IT Program and Operations Lead to help drive the effectiveness, maturity, and alignment of IT services across the organization.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy, operations, and execution—bringing structure to complex environments, improving service delivery, and enabling IT teams to operate as a cohesive, high-performing function supporting world-class biomedical research and education.

What You’ll Do

IT Operations & Governance

· Establish and maintain IT policies, standards, and procedures to ensure consistent execution across teams

· Define and mature core IT service management processes (incident, change, problem, request)

· Ensure alignment with institutional priorities, risk management practices, and compliance requirements

Program & Portfolio Management

· Lead IT project intake, prioritization, and portfolio governance processes

· Maintain visibility into all active IT initiatives, including status, risks, dependencies, and resource allocation

· Standardize project management methodologies, tools, and reporting practices

· Partner with stakeholders to align IT initiatives with institutional strategy

Service Delivery & Continuous Improvement

· Define and monitor IT service delivery standards, including SLAs, KPIs, and service catalog structure

· Collaborate with service desk and technical teams to improve user experience and support outcomes

· Drive adoption of knowledge management and self-service capabilities

· Identify inefficiencies and lead initiatives to streamline workflows and reduce manual effort

Reporting & Insights

· Develop dashboards and reporting for IT performance, including service levels, incident trends, and project health

· Provide regular insights and recommendations to IT leadership

· Use data to drive prioritization, capacity planning, and continuous improvement

Collaboration & Leadership

· Serve as a central coordination point across infrastructure, applications, security, and support teams

· Facilitate communication and alignment across IT and business stakeholders

· Support planning and execution of IT strategic initiatives

What You’ll Work With

· IT service management frameworks (ITIL or similar)

· Project and portfolio management tools (e.g., ServiceNow, Jira, Smartsheet)

· Reporting and analytics platforms (e.g., Power BI or similar)

· Cross-functional IT teams supporting research, administrative, and secure data environments

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience)

· 5–8+ years of progressive experience in IT operations, service delivery, or IT program/project management

· Experience implementing IT service management processes or governance frameworks

· Proven ability to manage cross-functional programs or projects

· Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills

· Excellent communication skills and ability to influence without direct authority

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience in research, healthcare, or academic environments

· Familiarity with regulatory or compliance considerations (e.g., data privacy, research data controls)

· ITIL Foundation (or higher), PMP, or equivalent certification

· Experience with ITSM and project management tools and reporting platforms

Compensation and Benefits

All full-time employees of Van Andel Institute are eligible for benefits effective Day One. VAI offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package.

Your Next Steps

If you’re excited about shaping how IT operates and delivers value in a mission-driven organization, we’d love to connect.

To apply, please submit a single PDF that includes:

· A cover letter describing your interest in the role and alignment with your experience

· Your current resume

· Names and contact information for three professional references

About Van Andel Institute

Established in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1996 by the Van Andel family, VAI is now home to nearly 500 scientists, educators and support staff, who work with national and international collaborators to foster discovery. The Institute’s scientists study the origins of cancer, Parkinson’s and other diseases and translate their findings into breakthrough prevention and treatment strategies. Our educators develop inquiry-based approaches for K–12 education to help students and teachers prepare the next generation of problem-solvers, while our Graduate School offers a rigorous, research-intensive Ph.D. program in molecular and cellular biology.

VAI is committed to excellence through broad participation and diverse perspectives. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences who share our passion for innovation and collaboration.

Van Andel Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer.   

As Van Andel Institute is a drug free employer, all prospective new employees undergo a urinalysis/drug test as part of our pre-employment process.  This is a 7-panel drug screen and it includes testing for Marijuana, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Opiates, PCP, Barbiturates, and Benzodiazepines. 

About Grand Rapids, MI  

Van Andel Institute is in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan in the center of the Medical Mile.  A remarkable combination of a cosmopolitan atmosphere and small-town warmth, Grand Rapids is known for its philanthropic and sustainability-driven community. It’s fun affordable and family-friendly.  

Located on the banks of the Grand River, Grand Rapids offers all the big-city excitement you'd expect from a million-resident metropolis, featuring hundreds of restaurants and nightspots, theaters, museums, sports and concerts. The safe and clean downtown is surrounded by an eclectic mix of walkable neighborhoods and natural areas. The downtown area is safe and clean with an eclectic mix of walkable neighborhoods and natural areas.