Chief Information Officer

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
 
This is a full-time, managerial position, and days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm Note: This position is in the “NL” category of employment (non-fixed work week) and individuals in this role have no claim or entitlement to time off or cash compensation for hours worked beyond their normal schedule. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Compensatory time will not be granted for work done as an extension of the regular work day. It is the policy of the College to grant hour for hour compensatory time off, with advance approval, only when employees are required to work on a holiday. Time earned must be used within one fiscal year from the time it is earned.
 

RAMAPO COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY:
Mission:  Ramapo College of New Jersey is New Jersey’s Public Liberal Arts College, dedicated to providing students a strong foundation for a lifetime of achievement.  The College is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. Ramapo College emphasizes teaching and individual attention to all students. We promote diversity, inclusiveness, sustainability, student engagement, and community involvement.

Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, elementary education, nursing and social work. The College also offers articulated programs, including dental, optometry, chiropractic and health professions, as well as visual arts therapy and law, with colleges and institutions in New Jersey and New York.

Undergraduate students may choose to concentrate their studies in one of five schools with more than 539 course offerings and more than 36 academic programs. Ramapo College boasts an average student/faculty ratio of 18:1 and an average class size of 23; affording students the opportunity to develop close ties to the College’s exceptional faculty.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) reports to the Vice President for Administration and Finance (VPAF).  The CIO provides leadership and vision to the ITS organization and is primarily responsible for the management and day-to-day oversight and security needs of the ITS department.  In addition, the CIO is responsible for the daily review of activities, which includes IT risk mitigation and consultation with unit managers regarding College priorities.

DUTIES:

• Provide vision and leadership for the College’s overall information technology strategies. Ensure alignment of the ITS operating and strategic goals with the College's overall mission and operating goals as well as divisional information technology plans.  Prepare a long-term strategy for ITS and technology across campus.

• Oversee the management of the ITS department main components, which include: Infrastructure, Applications, Help Desk function, Telecom, Media, and Security.

• Design, develop and maintain a stable and standardized information technology infrastructure, including a comprehensive technology assets renewal and replacement program and administer all information technology infrastructure policies and protocols.

• Formulate and propose annual operating and long-range budgets for ITS and ensure they are consistent with campus priorities as well as available staff and financial resources.

• Serve as the College's senior technology advisor; provide leadership and assistance, as necessary, in the development and implementation of new and existing information technology projects for academic and administrative units.

• Design, develop and maintain the College’s disaster recovery plan as it relates to technology to ensure that the documented process to recover and protect the systems infrastructure in the event of a disaster is in place and adequate.  Also maintain the College’s business continuity plan as it relates to technology to ensure that following any incident the College will be able to return to “business as usual” as quickly as possible, with limited impact to campus.

• Ensure the design, development and maintenance of a comprehensive training program for faculty and staff on ITS related items, including security issue and threats.

• Drives thought leadership and security strategy across the College, and works with all units to tailor security approaches.

• Ensures the company's data remains secure by keeping up to date on the latest cyber security threats and finds ways to guard against them on an organization-wide scale.

• Reviews the security incidents and the College’s response to them.  Provides leadership to ensure that incidents are communicated properly, and procedures are in place to mitigate risks.

• Work towards making sustainable choices for operations whenever operationally and fiscally feasible.

• Establish and maintain a collaborative working relationship with the Board, senior leadership, and other units on campus.  Provide technical expertise and act as a resource for managers within the unit to collaborate and discuss issues as they relate to the College and its structure.

• Focus on cooperation, collegiality and teamwork within the unit, keeping open lines of communication.

• Understand and oversee the standardized information technology infrastructure, including a comprehensive technology assets renewal and replacement program and administer all information technology infrastructure policies and protocols.

• Serve as the College's primary purchaser of technology; exercise review and management controls over external vendors doing business with ITS; develop and manage technology alliances with key vendors and other external entities, such as colleges, universities, State/Federal agencies and municipalities.

• Oversee the annual operating budgets for ITS, and work with the managers to ensure expenditures are budgeted, and consistent with campus priorities, keeping the VPAF informed of any unplanned items.

• Act as contact for all ITS related emergencies, communicate with the VPAF, senior leadership and unit managers to ensure parties are well informed of issues on campus.

• Participates in related industry groups as necessary to represent the College’s interests and keep abreast of new industry best practices.  Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations as well as all College policies and procedures.

• Continually scan the external environment for technological opportunities; maintain an effective working knowledge of appropriate information technology strategies and direction consistent with the needs of a 21-century college campus.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Note:  The above statements reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified, and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

EXPERIENCE:
Minimum fifteen years in ITS with senior level experience, and ability to manage and mentor staff.   Excellent knowledge of IT systems and infrastructure.

Experience in planning, researching and developing security protocols, policies and standards.

EDUCATION:
Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area.

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A proven record of successfully managing an information technology organization or major components;

• Strong managerial and interpersonal skills, as well as a collaborative approach to problem solving; Ability to communicate effectively, written and oral, and to make clear presentations;

• Ability to function with a high degree of autonomy and creativity;

• Proven ability to implement strategic priorities and organizational change;

• Proven record of strong customer service that has resulted in high user satisfaction;

• Successful record of planning and effective resource management. in an operational environment;

• Demonstrated ability to manage and work in a complex and changing environment, successfully managing people of diverse interests and perspectives.

EEO Statement

Ramapo College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Ramapo has a long history of advocating, advising, and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Examples can be found in its mission statement, values, strategic plan, degree and course offerings, community outreach programs, and numerous diversity-focused conferences, trainings, and programs. Ramapo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is infused across all facets of the College; where the environment is welcoming, dedicated to social justice, respectful of freedom of expression, focused on educating and having an ongoing conversation regarding cultural competence and the benefits and importance of diversity.

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