Willamette University seeks a strategic, collaborative, and service-oriented leader to serve as the Chief Information Officer (CIO). Reporting to the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer the CIO will be joining the Pacific Northwest's leading private university which includes the renowned residential liberal arts college in Salem, the flagship Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland and Willamette professional graduate programs in Portland and Salem which include the Northwest's oldest law school, Oregon's top-ranked MBA program, MA and MFA programs in the arts, writing and critical studies, and MS in Data Science and Computer Science.
The CIO Agenda
The CIO provides leadership to the Integrated Technology department to support all University constituencies and is responsible for the direction and oversight of approximately 30 employees who plan, maintain, and operate technology infrastructure and information throughout campus at all locations. The CIO will lead the development and implementation of the University’s technology strategy in support of teaching, learning, research, and operations. In so doing, the CIO will collaborate with University stakeholders across different colleges, schools, and business units and IT. In addition to being a member of the University Leadership Team the CIO will also be a regular participant on the Board of Trustees Audit & Risk Committee and occasionally of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee and regularly report on risks and issues related to IT security, data governance, and privacy. Working in collaboration with faculty, key administrators, and IT staff in both central and distributed units, the CIO will build on past successes and articulate a vision and roadmap for technology and data that includes:
Positioning the University to significantly improve the student experience across all Schools by providing student support with integrated processes and technology solutions.
Sustaining the structure and processes that enables shared decision-making with university business owners through transparent priority setting of technology initiatives in alignment with university strategy and resources.
Planning for the rationalization and modernization of the technology applications portfolio.
Strengthening the structures, competencies, and processes within the IT organization to provide excellent service and adapt to continued technology change.
Developing comprehensive data analytics and reporting strategy including alignment of data governance, data architecture, and applications
Overseeing a comprehensive, risk-based strategy to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Willamette data.
Identifying requirements for supporting growth in faculty research portfolio.
Collaborating with IT partners in the Office of the Provost (Academic computing and Instructional Design) to provide the enhanced learning environments, academic software and support services required to enable teaching and learning.
Providing technology services and processes that are inclusive, equitable, and accessible.
Guiding efforts to recruit, develop, and retain talented colleagues from diverse identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences.
About IT
IT partners with the campus community to deliver technology systems and solutions in support of the University mission of teaching, learning, research, and community service. The CIO leads the University IT team responsible for enterprise systems, infrastructure, user support, security and project management. The CIO collaborates with and supports all university divisions including the Office of the Provost which oversees academic technology, to establish shared strategies and priorities. Leading a staff of approximately 30 employees, the CIO oversees the development and execution of an annual operating budget of $5.1 million, including IT staff compensation and benefits.
Essential Functions of the CIO
A key role of the CIO is to understand, identify, prioritize, and deliver technology services that support the mission and vision of the university, primarily through the operations and activities of the Integrated Technology department, and in collaboration with campus partners. Other key responsibilities include:
Develop a service oriented culture, seeking feedback and incorporating in a continuously improving Integrated Technology department.
Manage a modern cyber-security program that incorporates latest techniques and information and addresses risks and threats.
Provide technical expertise, information, and assistance to University leadership, and assist as needed in the formulation and development of integrated and coordinated policies, procedures, and programs necessary for efficient, effective, and safe uses of technology to ensure the security of all data systems and the integrity and confidentiality of university data.
Communicate with faculty, other administrators, contractors, and colleagues to coordinate activities and programs, resolve issues and conflicts and exchange information.
Plan, support, and oversee training programs for faculty, students, and staff, as needed, to introduce them to new technologies and improve use of existing technologies.
Manage and negotiate relationships, contracts, and services of IT-service providers (including vendors and other external entities).
Identify staffing, budgetary and other technology resource requirements and develop creative and cost-effective approaches to meet these requirements.
Recruit, develop, and retain talented IT colleagues from diverse identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences.
Review and authorization of selection, procurement, installation and management of computing, networking, and telecommunications software and hardware, including outsourced IT services.
Oversight of the creation and maintenance of databases, reporting solutions, and other data management resources in support of administrative operations.
The successful candidate will be curious and approachable; have excellent leadership, management, collaboration, and communication skills. Additional required skills and qualifications include:
Bachelor’s degree.
Seven or more years of significant management experience in a comparably complex IT organization.
Experience building and leading teams and developing staff.
Excels at listening, communication, facilitation, and collaboration.
Adept at balancing the needs of diverse constituents and collaborating with key stakeholders to establish and communicate clear priorities.
Ability to build support for a major investment or decision within an organizational model of shared governance.
Track record of successfully planning and successfully delivering complex IT services and projects.
Awareness of key issues and trends in broad areas of technology including infrastructure, cloud services, data management, and digital engagement.
Understanding of privacy and security compliance requirements and associated implementation frameworks.
Financial acumen and experience developing and managing operating and capital budgets and experience vendor relationships and contracts.
The most competitive candidates will meet several of the following preferred qualifications and experiences:
Master’s degree
Development of an IT strategic plan in support of institutional mission and priorities.
Partnership with business owners and a track record of shared decision-making that responds to needs, evaluates competing interests, and prioritizes investments.
Understanding of technology trends, applications, current developments and new directions, particularly as they relate to higher education.
Experience implementing and maintaining enterprise resource and ancillary systems used in higher education.
Significant contributions to organization’s use of technologies to support teaching, research, and scholarship.
Experience implementing technology and organizational change strategies to transform processes and improve the end-user experience.
Experience implementing and maintaining data security and privacy strategies.
Experience navigating challenging labor markets to attract and retain a diverse, high performing team of IT professionals.
Experience leading in a model of shared governance while fostering a culture of trusted partnership, service, and continuous improvement within an IT organization.
Applications, Inquiries, and Nominations
Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until a successful candidate is identified. For full consideration, please submit materials no later than Thursday April 27, 2023. Confidential inquiries, nominations, and referrals should be directed to Mary Beth Baker, Managing Partner, Next Generation Leadership Partners at marybeth@nextgenpartnersllc.com. Cover letters and resumes should be sent to Willamettecio@nextgenpartnersllc.com
