Chief Information Officer

Reporting to the chief financial officer of the Southern University System, the CIO will serve as a key member of the CFO's leadership team, providing strategic direction for all academic and administrative technologies across the system. This position requires a visionary leader who can align technology initiatives with the university's mission while ensuring that systems, infrastructure and digital information assets remain secure, innovative and responsive to the evolving needs of students, faculty and staff.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive senior-level management experience in higher education technology, with demonstrated expertise in telecommunications, networking, instructional technology, ERP systems (particularly Banner by Ellucian), distance education and administrative applications. This leader will excel at building relationships across diverse stakeholder groups, championing superior service delivery and creating an organizational culture focused on continuous improvement and innovation.

This position calls for a confident leader with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, comfortable maintaining high visibility and working effectively with a broad constituency. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to recognize technology's transformative nature and effectively promote the invaluable role it plays within the university environment, all while protecting the security, confidentiality, integrity and availability of university data and information systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Strategic Leadership and Vision: Provide technology vision and leadership in the development and implementation of the university's information technology programs. Ensure that systems meet the needs of the university and align with the strategic vision of the university and its stakeholders. Lead IT strategic planning, utilizing knowledge of current trends and future directions of information technology, in support of the University's mission and goals.

Direct Leadership of IT Services: Provide direct leadership for all IT services of the university and oversee all Office of Technology and Applications (OTA) staff in support of the network and its security, programming, desktop support, help desk, web services, information and infrastructure support services, academic technology, classroom technology, computer labs and research computing, organized technology training and user assistance, telecommunications and other technology-related resources.

Technology Governance and Planning: Lead through active participation in campus-wide technology governance and planning. Provide effective service as liaison for stakeholders in campus administrative services pertaining to computing, data storage and applications. Engage and educate Southern University System leadership and stakeholders to identify needs and establish proposed strategic priorities.

Service Delivery Excellence: Coordinate delivery of information technologies, applications and services necessary to meet the highest level of user expectations through a blend of technical and administrative experience, with strong communication and leadership ability. Build a team dedicated to continuous improvement and exemplary customer service.

Infrastructure and Security Management: Ensure the technological infrastructure and all digital information assets are fully secure to maximize productivity and provide innovation beneficial to students, faculty and staff. Protect the security, confidentiality, integrity and availability of university data and information systems. Ensure provision of necessary security certifications, audits and other required IT oversight.

Workforce Development: Develop and maintain an effective OTA workforce with the appropriate mix of business knowledge and competencies in key technology areas.

Promote an effective professional development process, developing managers and staff who can meet or exceed operational and service goals.

Vendor and Contract Management: Oversee the contracting and performance of OTA service suppliers. Consult with stakeholders on project needs and identify solutions for computing aspects of proposals. Oversee technology and security aspects of proposal development for new and established programs.

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery: Ensure systems can be restored or accessed in the event of a security incident or natural disaster. Strengthen the university's preparedness, timely response and rapid recovery in the event of a cyber-attack, natural disaster or other emergencies.

Assessment and Innovation: Participate and coordinate in campus-wide assessments of research and administrative computing and infrastructure needs. Recognize the transformative nature of technology and effectively promote the invaluable role it should play within the university environment.

Student Engagement: Provide opportunities for university students to gain technology experience supporting campus technology operations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS

Education: Master's degree in computer science, computer information systems, information technology management, business administration, management or related field preferred (relevant experience may be substituted for degree requirements).

Experience: Seven to 10 years of successful senior-level management experience in higher education that includes telecommunications, networking, instructional technology, ERP systems, distance education and administrative applications. Demonstrated record of managing people in a dynamic and complex environment.

Technical Expertise: Experience implementing and deploying relational database proprietary products such as Banner by Ellucian. Knowledge of educational delivery systems. Experience supporting network and media infrastructure, systems development and application, along with web and client support. Knowledge of security issues, policy development, contract negotiations, legal issues regarding technology and technology applications, and business continuity.

Leadership and Vision: Demonstrated experience and recognition as a visionary leader in the field with a passion for creativity and a record of innovation. Experience creating and implementing an organizational vision and mission aligned with institutional priorities.

Leadership and management experience in OTA or similar higher education IT organization.

Relationship Building: Strong ability to build relationships with stakeholders. Confident, outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, comfortable maintaining high visibility and working effectively with a broad constituency.

Service Excellence: Demonstrated experience championing and providing superior service. Ability to coordinate delivery of information technologies, applications and services necessary to meet the highest level of user expectations.

Strategic Decision Making: Experience making research-based, data-driven decisions, maximizing the use of computing and communications technology resources, and preparing, analyzing and interpreting reports.

Team Development: Experience promoting an effective professional development process, developing managers and staff who can meet or exceed operational and service goals. Ability to build a team dedicated to continuous improvement and exemplary customer service.

Transformative Perspective: Ability to recognize the transformative nature of technology and effectively promote the invaluable role it should play within the university environment.

APPLICATION AND NOMINATION PROCESS

PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY

The search committee will begin review of application materials immediately and continue until an appointment is made. To assure full consideration, application materials should include:

• Letter of interest
• A comprehensive CV/resume
• Full contact information (name, phone number and email) for three professional references

FOR CONFIDENTIAL INQUIRIES, CONTACT:

Dr. Amanda Washington Lockett, President, Amanda.Lockett@tm2search.com

Jessica Horton, Associate Principal, Jessica.Horton@tm2search.com

Dr. Will Anyu, Associate Principal, Will.Anyu@tm2search.com