Northeastern Illinois University, located in Chicago, Illinois, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Executive Director of Technology Services/Chief Information Officer.

Position Responsibilities:

This position reports directly to the Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA), provides vision and leadership regarding University technology, and directs Technology Services operations. Supervises Directors and Coordinators directly responsible for: Customer Services, Training, and Project Management; Strategy and Planning; ERP and Academic and Administrative Applications; Technical Support (Media Services, Telecommunications, Student and Client Computing, and Document Management); Network Infrastructure; Network and Systems Management; Information Security; and IT Business Services. The CIO leads the planning of technological infrastructure and the deployment of technological resources, aligned with the institutional mission, vision, and values, fully communicating with University constituencies to meet the academic and administrative technology needs of the University within existing budget constraints.

Position Details:

• Plan, organize, and direct the operations and administration of University Technology Services by establishing departmental goals and objectives.
• Lead the review of current systems with a view towards future needs and possibilities.
• Assure alignment of technology infrastructure and services, current and future, with University strategic goals and campus needs.
• Coach, supervise and evaluate senior staff; interview and select employees; and arrange for appropriate training of technology staff.
• Interpret and ensure compliance with Federal and State laws, University regulations and policies, including submission of required reports and active responses to any audit findings. Work with department directors to meet all state audit and compliance requirements.
• Establish and maintain an atmosphere of innovation and creativity so that University Technology Services is continually assessing and adopting appropriate technologies to meet University needs.
• Ensure that faculty are provided with the ability to request, review and analyze classroom applications in coordination with technology implementation and support groups.
• Oversee University data and cyber security in a manner to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and audit findings.
• Develop and prepare the annual departmental budget to meet anticipated expenditures, in cooperation with Technology Services directors and business manager; analyze and review financial data; and control and authorize expenditures in accordance with established limitations.
• Direct the preparation and maintenance of narrative and statistical reports, records and files related to assigned activities and personnel.
• Lead University teams and the technology governance structure to determine requirements for new applications and modifications to existing information technology systems; evaluate software and hardware products; prepare specifications for computer systems, applications, products and services.
• Maintain pace with new technologies and provide leadership and assistance to the University community with technology related issues resulting in continuous improvement.
• Represent the University externally as appropriate in IT matters and in cooperation with appropriate external organizations.
• Establish University technology capacity planning and implement change and problem management methods.
• Examine, evaluate, and recommend core student, administrative, and management application solutions for the University.
• Communicate with other administrators, personnel, and vendors to coordinate activities and programs.
• Communicate regularly with all University groups and departments, staff, faculty and student, in order to provide services and service levels that meet needs and expectations.
• Resolve issues and conflicts among administrative systems to accomplish the exchange of information across platforms.
• Provide technical leadership for all areas of Technology Services.
• Communicate with staff, consultants and contractors on the status of current projects; plan and schedule future projects; participate in projects as appropriate, including the design and maintenance of University wide applications.
• With input from the University President and Vice Presidents, coordinate University computing and network resources to support academic and student support programs while ensuring system capacity to meet instructional technology needs.
• Maintain an effective and cost efficient University telecommunications and network infrastructure that meets 24×7 operational requirements, provides for appropriate and timely disaster recovery, and ensures business continuity.
• Ensure effective coordination of existing financial resources for most effective and efficient application of funding and staff resources.
• Ensure the provision of effective, timely and customer oriented assistance in all areas, and that assistance data is collected, accurate, complete, and then assessed in order to improve services.
• Direct the implementation of systemic and comprehensive key performance indicators to ensure continuous improvement and the effective use of Technology Services staff and financial resources.
• Coordinate Technology Services staff in application for, and implementation of financial grants.
• Maintain professional growth personally and departmentally. Seek strategic relationships with key individuals within the state, such as SURS, SUCCS etc.
• Other duties as assigned by VPFA.