Deputy Chief Information Officer

Deputy Chief Information Officer
Villanova University
Philadelphia, PA

Villanova University, a top national university in the United States is seeking an individual with expertise in leading core technical operations, a record of fostering sustainable change across an organization, experience in the successful management of large scale infrastructure projects, and a history of building bridges and partnerships to be its inaugural Deputy Chief Information Officer (Deputy CIO). Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, the successful candidate will assist the University in accomplishing its goals and objectives by bringing enthusiasm and a collaborative, creative, optimistic, and solution-oriented approach to leadership.

The Deputy CIO provides the technical leadership required to execute on the Chief Information Officer’s (CIO) strategy and vision by leading the development of the core technical platforms, capabilities, and services that support campus operations. The Deputy CIO acts on behalf of the CIO in the CIO’s absence or as assigned by the CIO as the principal IT officer on executive decisions and department leadership. The Deputy CIO is charged with responsibilities for day-to-day management of an $8.1 million annual operating budget and technical operations, including managing the Enterprise Technology Services, Technology Support Services, and Campus Card Services teams, totaling 49 staff.

The Deputy CIO’s essential management functions include:

• Strategic Leadership: Provides strategic leadership and guidance at the executive level in critical areas of technology operations and administration. Establishes, enhances, and maintains effective relationships and communication with all University constituents including developing needed resolution mechanisms to maximize desired results and minimize any potential conflict. Prioritizes enterprise solutions over local solutions and understands how to engage Information Security to protect the enterprise.
• Partner to the CIO: Serves on behalf of the CIO as the principal IT Officer, in the CIO's absence or as requested and represents IT in University collaborations. Assists the CIO in leading overall information technology strategic planning to achieve University goals by prioritizing information technology initiatives and coordinating the evaluation, deployment, and management of current and future technology projects. Assists the CIO in governance oversight, project and portfolio management, and service delivery management.
• Technology Analysis: Assist in establishing the current and long-range direction of technology by analyzing trends and advancements and providing significant input into cost/benefit analyses to determine the financial, operational, and technical feasibility of new solutions, including cloud-based IT platform and infrastructure services. Leads the analysis of systems, hardware, and/or software under consideration for purchase or the internal design and development of such.
• Project Management: Works across all IT subdivisions within the central IT division as well as with decentralized IT teams to coordinate the detailed design, development, support, and maintenance of technology projects. Oversees cross-institutional initiatives and executive level projects, fostering strategic partnerships in addressing enterprise-wide technology needs.
• IT Service Delivery: Leads the development and implementation of best practices and standards in process, design, architecture and operations of all aspects of information technology delivery. Directs programs to monitor, evaluate, and improve customer service delivery. Promotes the interfacing and control of the organization's present technology and the dissemination of technological information and direction throughout the organization.

The ideal candidate will have all or many of the following professional qualities, skills, and experiences:

• Knowledge of current trends and developments in information technology; Experience with IT Service Delivery models and technologies; disaster recovery and business continuity planning; planning, designing, and executing complex network and infrastructure design projects; and managing technology operations including:

• Data and voice networks
• Wireless device management
• Network, system, and infrastructure operations
• End user support
• Physical access control systems (e.g., campus card)

A bachelor’s degree is required, and an advanced degree is strongly preferred. A Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent is desired. Experience working within higher education and knowledge of trends in high performance and/or research computing are each a plus.

The full position profile can be found here. Villanova University has engaged Koya Leadership Partners to help in this search. Please submit applications, expressions of interest, and nominations to Tom Phillips and Josyanne Roche here.

Villanova University is an equal opportunity employer and educational institution. There shall be no discrimination against any employee, applicant for employment or any student on any basis prohibited by law, including race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status (disabled or Vietnam era), or disability. This non-discrimination policy applies to all educational policies and programs and to all terms and conditions of employment, which include (but are not limited to): recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, benefits, promotions, disciplinary actions and termination.