Chief Information Officer

The Chief Information Officer provides vision and strategic direction for all administrative information technology (IT) aspects of the University. Oversees implementation and integration of computer systems. Ensures security of all information and computer systems and digital data. Troubleshoots and finds solutions for computer systems issues as they arise. Provides strategic and managerial direction to the IT staff and ensures that internal and external user needs are being met.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT:

Provides strategic direction for all administrative technology efforts of the institution. Provides strategic and managerial oversight of the IT staff.

• Strategic and managerial oversight of the IT staff;
• Developing department goals;
• Developing and overseeing the IT budget;
• Planning, deploying and maintaining IT systems and operations;
• Overseeing the organization's software development needs;
• Developing and enforcing IT policies, procedures and best practices;
• Staying updated on IT trends and emerging technologies, and applying the same to the University’s IT environment;
• Ensuring IT strategies and processes support company-wide goals;
• Overseeing relationships with IT-related vendors, contractors and service providers;
• Build and maintain a positive IT presence that is recognized as a leader both on and off campus;
• Apprising the board of directors and other executives of the benefits and risks of new IT-related projects.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:

• Plan, develop, and implement the ITR annual operating budget. Monitor and analyze the operating budget to ensure effective fiscal management and efficient cost control systems for all IT functions. Monitor budget allocations and identify and resolve budget variances.
• Develop a technology budget with vendor/contract review, approved by the VP.
• Understand ITR financials and effectively communicate the financial position of all projects to management.
• Ensure the accuracy of invoices and IT requests from across the University.
• Identify opportunities for institutional efficiencies and cost improvements and lead the effort to realize these opportunities collaboratively with the right cross-functional teams and leaders.

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT:

• Provide leadership, vision, and management of information technology operations and daily activities to ensure the development, implementation, enhancement, and maintenance of all systems, equipment, policies, and procedures that best meet the current and changing technology needs of the University.
• Assess and anticipate technology projects and recommend appropriate action and resources. Manage and lead the ITR functional teams.
• Support, enhance, and maintain an enterprise-wide network infrastructure, telecommunications, and cyber security.
• Support numerous administrative applications, including Slate, Colleague, Moodle, Advancement solutions, integrations, reporting, the University intranet, etc.
• Maintain an effective Help Desk that solves problems for students, faculty and staff, and provide just-in-time support for student computing labs, classroom computing, desktop support, library computer support, and inventory control.
• IT planning and other information technology functions. Effectively measure, document, and report IT contributions, efforts, performance, and success.
• Understand technology contracts and explain contract components to management and team members.
• Ability to present solutions in the context of business value. Articulate the University's needs by describing the University’s compelling events, the critical success factors, and the technology improvements to support the institution's overall goals.

EMPLOYEE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT:

• Effectively collaborate with all staff members in ITR to achieve the goals of the department and the University. Ensure proper staffing levels and work distribution. Effectively interact with the HR department regarding staffing needs, the hiring and termination of department employees, and adherence to HR policies and procedures.
• Ability to select strong team members, set high expectations, and coach and mentor teams.
• Ability to plan for the year ahead (including goal setting and having a checklist of "to-dos").
• Knowledgeable and committed to continuous process improvement and documentation of effective practices.
• Support formal and informal training that prepares individuals for higher levels of responsibility.

EDUCATION AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s Required,Master's Degree Preferred.

5-7 years of upper management-level IT experience required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong Management, planning, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in establishing an IT Services framework and IT security policies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including creating and delivering presentations to all types of audiences.
• High degree of solution creativity.
• Team building skills and ability to think outside the box.
• Ability to set and change priorities amongst multiple competing constituencies. Understand academia/shared governance.
• Must have personal traits that include resilience, commitment, understanding, and ability to listen and learn.

ORAL AND WRITTEN REQUIREMENTS:

Good written and oral communication skills, ability to work with diverse constituencies, and commitment to collaboration and service to all constituencies of the University are required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The functions of this position are usually performed sitting, walking, or standing. Some tasks involve climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, lifting, or otherwise moving heavy objects such as computer equipment.

We seek candidates who are committed to the University of Lynchburg’s efforts to create an environment that fosters a student-centered environment, develops the breadth of knowledge associated with liberal education, respects and supports diversity, equity, and inclusion, values and celebrates diverse faith traditions, and sustains close working relationships among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners.

The University of Lynchburg is committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from persons of color, women, Indigenous/aboriginal people of North America, persons with disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ community, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the University of Lynchburg community.

The University of Lynchburg is an equal opportunity employer.