Chief Information Officer

The CIO provides leadership, vision and oversight for the university’s information technology and security infrastructure services provided to CWU’s students, faculty and staff totaling 15,000 people. The university uses a distributed model, providing central technology services coupled with decentralized technology stakeholders, providing local IT support to departments and divisions. The CIO directs planning and implementation of information technology that supports business operations and academic requirements while ensuring the security of data and information used by those systems in compliance with federal and state laws and requirements, university policies and procedures, and industry best practices. 

Job Duties

• Develops a vision and strategy for technology, in consultation with university academic and administrative departments, to deliver services to the users with the academic mission and students as the primary focus.

• Provides technology and security leadership by maintaining a collaborative and interactive partnership with faculty, academic administrative groups, major administrative departments, appropriate campus committees, Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech), and the technology vendor community.

• Lead the continued evolution of IT as a mission-critical, value-added strategic partner across the university by supporting a forward-thinking IT culture and inspire team members, colleagues, and senior leaders to take chances and push boundaries.

• Provides leadership to enhance student success through resourceful use of a modern IT ecosystem and in the evaluation of existing or innovative solutions to reduce cost and improve efficiencies.

• Leads information security strategy to establish an inclusive and comprehensive information security program for the entire institution in support of academic, research, and administrative information and technology.

• Serve as the institution’s senior technology executive on the President’s Advisory Team (PAT), university committees, and national conferences.

• Oversees annual $9 million operational budget and an approximately $2 million capital expenditure budget related to technology. Manages contracts and purchase agreements for technology and related services.

• Provides purpose, direction, and motivation for all division personnel.

• Contribute to and support the university's ongoing efforts to become a more fully inclusive and diverse community.

Leadership/Management of Staff:

• Actively engages in recruitment and hiring new employees.

• Clearly defines performance expectations, ensure accountability, and provides ongoing informal feedback, coaching, and mentoring. Conducts formal performance evaluations.

• Ensures employees have necessary resources.

• Oversees and directs the work of staff; serves as mentor, coach and leader, and resolves complaints or issues.

• Promotes professional development opportunities.

• Develops and fosters supportive working relationships, motivation and engagement.

• Communicates information to staff on an ongoing basis to influence staff engagement and to be a part of a larger community.

• Takes corrective action in a timely manner.

• Recognizes and rewards employees for good performance.

• Schedules employee work hours/shifts; monitor hours worked; approve payable time and absence requests.

• Adjusts leadership style as needed to achieve results.

• Recognizes value of and promotes diverse workforce. Values and encourages diverse perspectives, creativity and teamwork.

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree and relevant experience in a senior IT leadership position in a large complex organization are required. The CIO must be a forward-looking and transformational leader who embraces a culture where technology is aligned and leveraged to support the academic mission and one who has:

• At least ten years of progressively responsible experience;

• A track record of implementing appropriate and successful strategies to ensure cost-effective delivery of efficient and reliable IT services;

• Strong financial planning and political skills to lead in a resource-constrained environment;

• Exemplary communication skills and an ability to inspire and educate audiences with and without technical expertise;

• Demonstrated success in managing by influence, inspiring trust, organizing people into effective teams, and motivating them to work hard and well together;

• Demonstrated ability to lead and implement cultural change related to technology in a shared-governance environment;

• Knowledge of current information security protocols and standards;

• Experience in interpreting and effectively applying federal and state laws and regulations to organizational operations and policies;

• Experience with contemporary hardware, software, and network architectures;

• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or other related field.

• Previous experience as a CIO in higher education or a large complex organization.

• Experience in higher education with demonstrated understanding of policy and regulatory requirements in a student-centered learning environment.

• Extensive working experience leading diverse technology business units, such as application development, network architecture, telecommunications, information security, service management, and system infrastructure. 

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines and work schedules.

• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.

• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.

• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.

• Commitment to Diversity: Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create environment that supports and embraces diversity. 

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary: $130,000 - $169,310 annually

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch)

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer work station for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit: http://www.cwu.edu/hr/benefits-0

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;

• Resume including work history, education, training; and

• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: October 25, 2018

**Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Contact Information

Name: Wendi Hembree
Title: Administrative Assistant
Email: Wendi.Hembree@cwu.edu
Phone: (509) 963-1856
Website: Information Services

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.