"CIO / Vice Chancellor for Enterprise Systems & Digital Strategy"

CIO / Vice Chancellor for Enterprise Systems & Digital Strategy

Company: Colorado Community College System

Job Location:

Category: IT Manager/Director

Type: Full-Time

Salary: $185,000.00 - $221,000.00 Annually

Location: Denver, CO

Job Type: Administrator Full-time

Job Number: GJA-191770-02112026-NC

Department: CCCS Information Technology

Opening Date: 03/03/2026

Department Contact Information: Nikki Cimino: jobs@cccs.edu

Description

The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is the state's largest provider of higher education, with 13 unique colleges and more than 35 locations serving over 130,000 students annually. Our mission is to provide accessible, responsive learning environments where students can achieve their educational, professional and personal goals. CCCS is a system of individually accredited colleges operating within a unified statewide governance structure. The System Office provides centralized technology management for enterprise-wide systems, security and infrastructure and the colleges have support teams for localized assistance within the centralized framework. The CIO ensures enterprise technology strategy advances system priorities while establishing clear standards, governance, and architectural discipline across the system.

The Opportunity

CCCS is seeking a new Chief Information Officer/ Vice Chancellor for Enterprise Systems & Digital Strategy (CIO). The CIO is the executive leader responsible for enterprise technology strategy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence strategy, cybersecurity governance, and systemwide technology modernization.

Why Join CCCS?

At CCCS, you'll be part of a forward-thinking system that values innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity. This role is foundational to the successful execution of CCCS's strategic vision, specifically by architecting a modern, integrated, and secure digital enterprise that advances student success and completion; workforce alignment and economic mobility; institutional performance and financial sustainability; and secure, compliant, and resilient operations.

Examples of Duties

• Develop and execute a multi-year, enterprise modernization roadmap that integrates CCCS' ERP, learning management systems, student information systems, enterprise applications, cybersecurity, enterprise data platforms, artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, and digital credential infrastructure.
• Steward a secure, interoperable, AI-enabled digital ecosystem that strengthens student mobility, accelerates workforce pathways, enhances institutional performance, and ensures long-term fiscal sustainability across a unified system of individually accredited colleges.
• Ensure that enterprise investments reduce redundancy, eliminate technical debt, increase automation, and deliver measurable operational efficiency.
• Establish and enforce enterprise technology standards and governance across the system.
• Align digital investments with the CCCS Strategic Plan and workforce priorities:
  • Implement a Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR) and Learning & Employment Record (LER) framework that supports verifiable, skills-based digital credentials.
  • Lead responsible AI adoption to improve predictive analytics, operational efficiency, and student lifecycle automation.
• Ensure secure interoperability across K-12, higher education, workforce, and employer systems:
  • Build longitudinal, interoperable data exchange from high school through CCCS and employment.
  • Partner with the Division of Workforce Solutions & Innovation to align digital infrastructure with high-demand career pathways.
• Lead enterprise cybersecurity operations, SIEM oversight, incident response, and disaster recovery and strengthen enterprise cybersecurity and risk management.
• Fiscal stewardship and capital strategy:
  • Develop and manage the CCCS enterprise technology budget.
  • Present capital IT initiatives to the Board and Joint Technology Committee (JTC).
  • Ensure compliance with State of Colorado procurement and capital IT regulations.
  • Lead enterprise contract negotiation and vendor lifecycle management.
• Serve as a member of the Chancellor's executive leadership team and work collaboratively with college presidents and leadership, system staff, and governance councils to ensure enterprise technology initiatives advance strategic goals while maintaining operational excellence, fiscal responsibility, program management, and risk management disciplines.
• Represent CCCS before the legislature, state agencies, and national organizations on technology matters.
• Establish and communicate a vision for IT and orchestrate alignment between departmental objectives and organizational strategic priorities while cultivating an inclusive, high-performance culture where direct and indirect reports collaborate effectively internally and externally toward shared goals.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
  • An additional 4 years of IT leadership experience in a large, complex enterprise technology environment will substitute for the degree.
• Five (5) years of executive-level IT leadership experience in large-scale enterprise technology organizations. Experience must include:
  • Managing enterprise-wide IT systems and infrastructure.
  • Budget oversight, including the management of multi-million-dollar annual budgets.
  • Establishing and enforcing enterprise technology standards, governance frameworks, and architectural discipline across matrixed organizations.
  • Leading and developing diverse IT teams (10+ staff).
  • Development and execution of IT strategic plans.
  • Vendor management and contract negotiation.
• Experience in higher education, public sector systems, or similarly regulated environments is preferred.
• Experience with digital credential ecosystems, workforce-aligned technology platforms, or interoperable data exchange frameworks is highly desirable.

Supplemental Information

Attributes That Will Contribute To Success In This Position

• Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide technology transformation in decentralized, multi-entity or multi-campus organizations, including consolidation or integration of fragmented systems into unified enterprise architectures.
• Demonstrated leadership of large-scale modernization initiatives, including cloud migration, integration architecture, cybersecurity governance, and enterprise data platform implementation.
• Demonstrated success implementing cost optimization strategies, vendor rationalization, technical debt reduction, and technology investment ROI frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to present complex technology strategies and capital initiatives to governing boards, executive leadership teams, legislative bodies, or regulatory agencies.
• Deep knowledge of enterprise architecture and systems integration within complex, multi-entity or multi-campus environments.
• Ability to establish, implement, and enforce enterprise technology governance frameworks while balancing institutional flexibility within a unified system structure.
• Advanced knowledge of cybersecurity strategy, risk management, business continuity planning, and regulatory compliance in large enterprise environments.
• Knowledge of enterprise data governance, interoperability standards, longitudinal data exchange frameworks, and privacy compliance (e.g., FERPA and related regulations).
• Proven leadership in the responsible governance and deployment of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to enhance operational efficiency, analytics, and student lifecycle outcomes.
• Strong fiscal acumen, including capital planning, technology investment modeling, cost optimization strategies, vendor negotiation, and contract lifecycle management.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear strategic implications for governing boards, presidents, legislators, and non-technical audiences.
• Political acumen and the ability to navigate complex governance structures, regulatory environments, and institutional dynamics with professionalism and strategic discipline.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and building high-performing technology organizations focused on accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Strong analytical capability, including the ability to interpret enterprise data, risk indicators, performance metrics, and KPIs to inform strategic decision-making.
• Understanding of academic technologies, enterprise student systems, workforce-aligned digital infrastructure, and enterprise-wide platform integration.

Work Location/Travel Expectations:

• This position is based at the CCCS System-IT, 9026 Alton Way, Denver, Colorado, with flexibility for alternative work arrangements as approved by the Chancellor. Work must be primarily completed in the state of Colorado.
• Some travel to college campuses throughout Colorado is required.
• Occasional national travel is expected.

CCCS believes when all human qualities are regarded with dignity and respect and when everyone has access to the individualized support they need, all will have the opportunity to thrive. In all aspects of the employment process, decisions are made based on merit, competence, performance and business need without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Note: per the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, an applicant may redact information from their resume, cover letter, and/or transcripts that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. If your position requires us to review an official transcript, without redacting, we will request one as part of our conditional offer process. In order to evaluate work experience against established requirements for positions, we are still requesting dates of service (month and year) for positions in the applicant's work history.