Vice President for Information Technology & Chief Information Officer

The University of Missouri System (UM) invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice President for Information Technology & Chief Information Officer (VP-CIO).  The VP-CIO will join an organization with a positive and growing momentum for change.  UM seeks a transformational leader who will influence institutional strategy, create IT strategic directions, build leadership and organizational capacity and direct investments that align technology capabilities with the scope and complexity of the UM. 

Role of the VP-Chief Information Officer

Serving as both an institutional cabinet leader for the largest campus (University of Missouri, Columbia (MU)) as well as an executive for the University of Missouri System, the Vice President will be highly involved in developing system-wide and MU-specific technology strategies.  Reporting to the President with additional support from the EVP for Finance & Operations, the VP-CIO serves as the primary technology advisor to the President, the UM System Council of Chancellors and the governing Board of Curators. The VP-CIO directs technology services that impact all aspects of the University's mission and has broad impact across the state of Missouri and the region. The VP-CIO will lead collaborations with the CIOs of the other UM system campuses to identify shared needs, develop the IT workforce, manage risks, and continually improve system-wide IT shared services.

The VP-CIO will facilitate the development of UM’s and MU’s technology direction, provide strategic guidance to the President and the Chancellors and collaborate with their leadership teams to identify and prioritize strategic initiatives. Working collaboratively with the leadership of MU Health, the VP-CIO advises and guides the health system’s partnership with Oracle-Cerner to provide secure, reliable and transformational technologies to enable patient care. The VP-CIO also oversees the work of the Missouri Research and Education network (MOREnet) and represents the University in state, national, and international IT-related initiatives and policy discussions.

Information Technology at UM and MU

UM has varied and complex technology needs that are supported through a combination of system-wide, campus and departmental IT teams. The VP-CIO coordinates the work of an IT community of 600 staff with annual operating expenditures of $104 million across UM’s four campuses. The VP-CIO directly oversees the $80 million operating budget of the DoIT organization to support the needs of the Columbia campus and operate significant system-wide shared services by leading a team of nearly 400 staff who support the MU campus and operate critical system-wide shared services including ERP, student information systems, and communication and collaboration technologies.

The Leadership Agenda

The VP-CIO will pursue an agenda for innovation and change that enables UM and MU research, academic, enrollment and student success goals. They will set strategic directions to provide robust, resilient and secure foundational technology, improve access to data, and expand capabilities to create more effective digital experiences for all constituents.  Leadership recognizes the significant importance and scope of this task and is prepared to support the new VP-CIO with an initial investment to seed and accelerate the startup of the organizational and technology transformation.  Key priorities include but are not limited to:

• Facilitate the development of a strategic roadmap and sponsorship of an ERP modernization roadmap to replace the current PeopleSoft solution. Partner with UM leaders to complete a roadmap to modernize the technologies and processes that support the student experience including replacing the legacy student information system. Enhance research technology infrastructure on the MU campus and expand UM’s research computing infrastructure and services to enable diverse research and scholarship with a global scope and impact. Work with MU Health IT leadership to align shared IT services with the health system’s distinct operational and security requirements. Develop an IT governance and decision-making framework to enhance service delivery for the MU campus and across the UM System. Devise a workforce strategy  that forecasts required capabilities, defines career paths for IT team members and furthers professional development opportunities. Assist efforts across the institution to improve data governance and organizational capacity to use data in decision-making.

Qualifications and Areas of Accomplishment

The VP-CIO must be a strategic and highly experienced information technology leader with demonstrated success in overseeing a large-scale information technology organization which serves a complex enterprise with multiple missions and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience across a complex organization with multiple layers of stakeholders, encompassing strategic planning, project planning, visioning, and process transformation. A track record of outstanding management that demonstrates financial acumen, organizational sophistication, superb listening skills, and high emotional intelligence. A commitment to customer service and a track record of building effective partnerships. Developed a team of experienced leaders with complementary skills and an ability to realize a shared vision through strong execution. Devised workforce strategies to cultivate strong teams of IT professionals, build a culture of collaboration and partnership and further service excellence. Successfully facilitated transformative change to technology, process and organization in a complex setting. Understanding of the culture and technology needs of organizations that are mission oriented, consensus driven, creative, or research oriented. Demonstrates integrity, transparency, empathy and optimism.

To Apply

The University of Missouri has retained Next Generation Leadership Partners to support this recruitment. For more information , please contact Next Generation Managing Partner Phil Goldstein at phil@nextgenpartnersllc.com.  The full position profile may be viewed here.

To apply in confidence, please send a resume and cover letter to umcio@nextgenpartnersllc.com.  For full consideration, applications must be received by July 7, 2023.  

The University  values the uniqueness of every individual and strives to ensure each person’s success.  Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement.  This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research and engagement.

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled & Veteran Employer. To request ADA accommodations, please contact our ADA Coordinator at (573) 884-7278 (V/TTY). Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.