"Associate Vice President for Information Technology/CIO"

Job Summary

Eastern Washington University seeks an experienced and dynamic leader who has a comprehensive understanding and vision of a university education for the 21st century. The Associate Vice President for Information Technology fulfills a critical role in supporting the university’s mission and its commitment to students. The AVP is responsible for a portfolio of integrated services for teaching, learning, research, and administration supporting students, faculty, staff, and the community of Eastern Washington University (EWU). This position performs broad operational responsibilities for IT services, functions and activities, including long term planning and delivery of services in software applications, telecommunications, networks, enterprise systems and comprehensive customer support services.

This position is accountable for the operational responsibilities of IT services, functions and activities that include: Telecommunications, Networks, Enterprise Systems, Project Management, Information Security, and Comprehensive Customer Support.

The AVP IT/CIO identifies and defines high-level technical strategies, guidelines, and standards that balance short-term and long-term objectives in a practical manner. This position is responsible for fostering and maintaining a collegial work environment and building partnerships to address the technology needs of all EWU stakeholders. The AVP IT/CIO is required to brief executive management on critical issues in a timely manner.

The AVP IT/CIO reports to the Vice President for Business and Strategy.

Required Qualifications

Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Business Administration, Management, or related field or equivalent combination of training, education and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired.

Experience Required: A minimum of eight (8) years of increasing technical and managerial responsibilities in a complex information technology organization. Demonstrated record of innovation and success in providing technology solutions that aligned with organizational goals. Proven history of developing and successfully executing organizational and institutional information technology plans. Proven experience leading IT operations and strategic initiatives within a predominantly cloud-hosted environment, championing and executing a cloud-first strategy. Budget management experience at the department level or higher. A demonstrated record of experience leading an organization through effective leadership techniques and abilities. Experience with a wide range of enterprise services including project management, infrastructure, software, and information security. Proven record of recruiting, directing, motivating and guiding the development of high performing teams. Demonstrated ability to apply a responsive and flexible approach that is supportive of the needs including universal access of our students, faculty, staff and the public.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Education: Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Information Technology Management, Business Administration, Management or related field. Relevant experience may be substituted for degree.

Preferred Experience: Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience as a Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Assistant CIO/CTO, or as a director or administrator of technology in a Higher Education leadership experience. Extensive knowledge of best practices. Extensive knowledge of trends and future directions of technology in the learning environment. Experience with a wide range of enterprise software applications including Ellucian Banner.

Preferred skills, knowledge and abilities, and characteristics: Exhibit understanding of natural sources of conflict and act to prevent or soften them. Familiarity with student information and learning management systems. Follow and teach others to follow a process/method for problem solving. Display attention to detail. Support organizational policies and identify methods for improving work procedures or systems. Anticipate demands/pressures of assignments and adjust accordingly. Familiarity with current, and ability to anticipate future, applications of information technology in instruction and higher education applications. Set clear expectations, reviewing progress, providing feedback and guidance, holding people accountable.

Other Skills and Abilities

Minimum Competencies: A strong background in IT support and management, and a proven track record of ensuring alignment of service capacity, flexibility, and delivery with both strategic and operational requirements. A solid understanding of mainstream support service and systems, and of industry best practices in support methodologies, service management, change management and communications. An understanding of evolving academic and research technology requirements and recognition of the need to support both mainstream and emergent technologies. Proven track record in recruiting, directing, motivating and guiding the development of a team of IT support professionals. Strong political skills, with the ability to foster collaboration and cooperation among all constituents within a complex university environment. Experience in supporting an effective communication strategy to a diverse organization. Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a record of success in developing planning documents, proposals, budget request justifications, and other forms of communication with executive leadership and faculty. Ability to explain complex technology in a manner that is understandable to non-technical audiences including faculty, students, and staff. A broad technology background with experience in both IT infrastructure and applications development. Strong leadership skills including problem solving, analytical and project management. Demonstrated communication, teamwork, negotiation and collaboration skills. Proven success in managing a large scale, complex IT service organization. Demonstrated ability to manage major IT initiatives and develop concise, understandable IT policies. Ability to identify and recommend solutions for IT challenges. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across departments and to develop cooperative-working relationships at all levels of the institution, constituents and the public.

Job Duties

Specific Responsibilities:

Leadership: Ensure enterprise systems are fully aligned and consistent with EWU goals, priorities, and best practices in the industry. Create an integrated IT support network, with coordinated planning. Brief executive management on critical issues in a timely manner. Provide direction for major projects/initiatives to introduce, improve, or replace IT services to meet operational requirements. Engage in IT strategic planning and policy development, fostering innovation to achieve University goals.

Management: Oversee the technology operations of EWU. Manage technology support and services, including budgeting, procurement, and contract negotiations. Provide senior level supervision oversight. Provide project management oversight. Plan, coordinate, assign, review and evaluate the work of senior managers.

Collaboration: Collaborate with the EWU stakeholders and community partners to provide IT support services that advance the strategic goals of the University. Set direction for EWU and IT management to identify the capabilities, options, and applicability of existing technology support solutions and services. Develop and maintain strong working relationships to collaborate with key University stakeholders and business partners. Provide extensive advisory contact with University administrators and technical staff to develop a joint vision to deliver services electronically with a focus on increased capabilities and efficiencies.

Customer Service: Ensure IT provides excellent service and a high level of support that meets the needs of the University community. Define and establish enhanced IT Service Management practices that include, project management, documentation, and change management. The ability to convey technology-based information to both technical and non-technical constituencies.

Percent of Time: 100

Salary Information

The salary for this position is $172,113.84 (minimum) up to $193,832. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills. In addition to salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, disability insurance, and retirement. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/benefits/insurance/.