Chief Information Officer

Duties/Responsibilities:

IT Strategy, Digital Transformation, and Governance

• Lead the development of near- and long-term IT strategy at the University, in collaboration with academic and administrative leaders from all colleges and in alignment with the University’s long-term strategic direction.
• Provide thought leadership for the development of best-in-class platforms for teaching, and learning, research, or other academic initiatives; and emphasize the delivery of cost-effective services and solutions that leverage existing and emerging information technologies.
• Identify, assess, and address the varying IT needs of diverse University constituencies to inform organizational priorities, approaches, opportunities for growth and improvement, as well as performance standards.
• Development and facilitation of IT governance and advisory frameworks through the implementation of a transparent governance program, leveraging University talent and perspectives to promote and bring focused decision-making on strategic priorities and investments.
• Approve, prioritize, and control IT project demands, negotiating prioritization and timelines as appropriate and necessary in accordance with sound fiscal management and established strategic priorities.
• Engage with external higher education communities and industry associations to maintain a robust and informed perspective on industry standards and best practices, as well as competitive and cutting-edge approaches to digital transformation and augmentation of core IT services.

IT Leadership and Management

• Create a responsive world-class customer service organization that achieves a high degree of customer satisfaction across groups while fostering and sustaining high employee morale and commitment to service and quality.
• Develop and maintain an IT organizational structure designed to meet institutional needs and demands and assessing and identifying the most effective staffing model that would include activities managed both internally and externally.
• Establish strategies and ensure operational effectiveness for in-sourced, out-sourced, or co-managed IT services in support of the University mission.
• Oversee the development and management of funding models for capital investment and operating expenses, ensuring that both are aligned with University needs and communicated effectively to stakeholders across the University.
• Develop the IT organization’s talent through robust hiring, training, retention and performance evaluation practices, including the sourcing of training opportunities for personnel.
• Motivate and lead a high-performing organization, utilizing effective talent management practices to attract and retain strong team members and foster growth in skills and performance.
• Collaborate with IT functional leaders to establish department-level goals, objectives, and operating procedures.
• Hold IT leaders accountable to sound fiscal and operational management of all IT functional areas, in accordance with established strategy, policies and guidelines.
• Maintain excellent relationships with external audit entities where necessary and provide a consistent perspective that continually positions the University in the best light.

IT Operations, Policy, Standards, and Continuous Improvement

• Synthesize and provide regular reporting on the status of IT operations and strategic programming to Executive Leadership.
• Tailor, develop, and successfully implement a strategic technology policy and plans across the University in support of information security, customer service, and responsible technology usage, as well as offering transparency around systems and processes for budgeting and funding.
• Manage relationships with third parties (vendors, suppliers, contractors, partners) and external stakeholders and remain active in broader networks of administrative and academic leaders.
• Maintain a clear understanding of emerging technologies, technology maturity, technology cost-effectiveness, and industry direction.
• Remain abreast of relevant state, federal, and contractual obligations and requirements and manage through appropriate functional area leaders to ensure University compliance and minimize institutional risk.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Deep leadership experience and expertise across all major dimensions of IT in complex settings that include academic, research.
• Ability to align strategy with mission and vision, set ambitious and attainable goals, and make data-informed decisions to achieve results.
• Exemplary planning and organizational skills, with a high degree of attention to detail
• Ability to make and manage budgetary decisions, including the development of budget and funding policies and controls, as well as anticipating future capital investments and financial influences over time.
• Detailed knowledge of current industry trends in IT and the ability to evaluate fit and efficacy for a given environment, as well as to determine attendant resource and operational requirements.
• Ability to analyze and resolve problems of significant complexity, integrate information from multiple sources, utilize creative thinking, and exercise considerable judgment and resourcefulness.
• Knowledge of compliance and contractual requirements, understanding of audit practices and risk assessment procedures, and the ability to anticipate and proactively address challenges and take steps to minimize institutional risks.
• Ability to manage performance and execution through multiple layers of a complex organization and readiness to guide and advise direct reports to execute IT strategy. Exceptional communication skills for conveying complex information to diverse internal and external stakeholder audiences.
• Readiness to work in collaboration with stakeholders and leadership and build a culture of teamwork and develop trust and credibility as a leader.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in information security, engineering, telecommunications, computer science, or a closely related field
• 7+ years of experience in a leadership role in IT within higher education, with broad exposure to network, infrastructure, cloud, and multiplatform environments
• Proven success serving as a strong change agent and leader, with a track record of elevating IT at the most senior levels of an organization and partnering as a trusted peer to the business.
• Demonstrated success in hiring and managing staff and providing effective delegation and coaching/mentoring.

• Previous experience in developing, gaining buy-in, and implementing a comprehensive IT strategic plan.

Preferred Skills, Experience and Education:

• Advanced degree in information systems, information technology, or another relevant field, including business administration or an academic discipline in which technological fluency plays an essential role.
• Experience across all major components of a full-service institutional or corporate IT function preferred.
• Experience successfully leading through organizational and/or structural change preferred.

• Experience with higher education CRM and ERP solutions and implementation

Physical Requirements:

• Normal Office Environment
• Typically seated at a desk or a table

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified.  Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Bethune-Cookman University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. 
 

The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, retaliation, marital status, religion or disability, or any other applicable local, state or federal regulation. Inquiries regarding provisions for persons with disabilities, equal employment opportunity and Title IX matters should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at 386-481-2049.

The university reserves the right to modify job descriptions at any time in its' attempts to improve the operations of the university.