Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
The University of Wyoming seeks a Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
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Location: Laramie, Wyoming
The Position:
The Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer (VPIT/CIO) serves as the senior technology leader for the University working with university leadership, faculty, staff, and students to develop and communicate the status of technology plans and initiatives within the Division of Information Technology. Serving as a member of the President's Cabinet, the VPIT/CIO is responsible for managing administrative and academic technology support staff and for promoting and delivering quality service to the University community. The VPIT/CIO is responsible for managing the centrally deployed services through units responsible for:
Enterprise IT, infrastructure and security,
Applications and customer relationships, and
Academic Technology Services and Data Center Operations.
The VPIT/CIO develops and implements a strategic plan for the Division of Information Technology that is consistent with the University's strategic plan, academic mission and research activity. Additionally, the VPIT/CIO oversees the budget, personnel, and policy development as they relate to information technology for the University. The VPIT/CIO is responsible for the development and execution of an information technology governance structure to ensure the organization's ability to effectively prioritize and properly resource new technology investments. The VPIT/CIO is a spokesperson and advocate for development and use of information technology, AI, and cybersecurity in instruction, research, and institutional operations. This position is also responsible for anticipating and maintaining a vision for future technology needs and for recommending strategies, priorities, policies, and projects that will best achieve the University's mission and strategic objectives.
The VPIT/CIO engages and collaborates with all stakeholders to ensure information technology services are provided in an effective and efficient manner that supports the academic and administrative needs of the University. The scope of the VPIT/CIO role necessitates a high level of familiarity with the various constituent needs across a complex and growing university and a commitment to the personal engagement necessary to meet the diverse needs of all units.
At the University of Wyoming, the Division of Information Technology currently employs approximately 100 full-time staff and 100 students with a total expense budget of approximately $19 million. The VPIT/CIO will inherit a capable leadership team that manages on-campus and remote teams of IT professionals who work to ensure the students, staff, and faculty have the access, connectivity, and resources needed to be successful.
The University seeks an established leader who is prepared to develop and execute an IT strategy that drives the University forward in enhancing student experience and effectively supporting the academic, research, and administrative functions.
Responsibilities:
Provides an information technology vision that enables the University to achieve its mission and strategic priorities while also positioning the University for the future.
Creates and fosters a culture of IT service excellence demonstrating an ongoing commitment to leading a collaborative, service-driven organization.
Manages the division's functions and services in a timely, high-quality, and results-oriented manner consistent with the land grant mission of the University.
Ensures the recruitment, retention, development, and evaluation of highly qualified personnel to support centralized IT operations. Fosters an inclusive environment of professional development and continuous improvement.
Develops budget plans and prioritizes efforts to provide highly reliable services while also responding to requests for new services and enhancement of existing services.
Ensures an effective governance structure, in collaboration with key leaders in each functional area, to prioritize and resource an array of IT projects/needs across the University.
Supervises the acquisition and inventory of all computer hardware, software, and networking facilities; serves as the senior contact for vendors of computing hardware and software, participates in contract negotiations, and coordinates large technology purchases, site licenses, and volume purchasing agreements. Evaluates innovative opportunities to partner with IT service providers.
Participates in capital project planning and expansion to ensure the technology needs of the University community are anticipated and met.
Develops and implements policies and practices to safeguard the University's technology infrastructure and data creating a reliable and secure infrastructure upon which enterprise applications, learning technologies, and research computing exist.
Facilitates a comprehensive review and assessment strategy as decisions about major applications are considered.
Understands current issues, opportunities, best practices and developments associated with information technology and cybersecurity as they relate to large, complex organizations implementing innovative and value-driven solutions to meet the University's needs.
Leads the institution's implementation, training, and use of contemporary, consistent educational technology to assist in the delivery of on campus and online learning experiences.
Drives collaboration across the University, promoting cooperation, integrated planning, and professional relationships that strengthen opportunities to share solutions to meet common needs, reduce duplication, and leverage collective investments across the University.
Although not currently responsible for research computing, supports the University research enterprise through effective consultation and collaboration with the University's Vice President for Research and Economic Development, and through partnership with the School of Computing, UW Libraries, and the Advanced Research Computing Center (ARCC).
Collaborates in creating policies related to research data management.
Represents the University within Laramie, across the state, and beyond around technology projects/initiatives.
Participates in personal development that promotes strategic growth.
Qualifications:
Ten years of progressively responsible professional and leadership experience, preferably in a higher education environment, including a senior leadership role(s) in delivering information technology services and programs for a large, complex organization.
Master's degree and/or advanced degree in information technology or a related discipline.
A comprehensive understanding of how universities work, and an in-depth knowledge of the technological demands of delivering reliable high-quality services to diverse user populations (e.g., students, faculty, researchers, staff, administrators), the regulatory requirements of information security (e.g., FERPA, HIPPA) and the ongoing evolution of cybersecurity.
Experience managing a complex infrastructure and a working knowledge of successful project management approaches for large technology initiatives.
Working knowledge of cloud technologies and application for a university.
Adept at identifying and assessing future technological needs of the University and developing annual and longer-term budgets to address emerging needs.
Skilled at managing a complex information technology organization while building and leading
