Chief Technology Officer

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Finance and Administration & Treasurer, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) serves as the senior leader in all matters pertaining to administrative and academic technology within the college. The CTO will provide vision and leadership for developing and implementing a strategic technology plan that is mission-driven, productive, dynamic, cost-effective, and in alignment with the overall goals of the college. The CTO will lead and manage the Information Technology (IT) department and provide support in planning, budgeting, and managing resources within the functional units. The CTO is accountable for overall project management of many of the initiatives related to improving the College’s use of technology resources, and serves as a liaison to various internal and external groups regarding current and future uses of technology for all College constituents. The CTO plays an important role on the Institutional Policy & Planning Committee, the principal planning and policy group for all aspects of the College.

The CTO has responsibility for a staff of 38 diversely skilled full-time staff as well as approximately 30 student employees, and directs and supervises the IT senior management team, which is composed of five full time staff:  

• Assistant Chief Technology Officer / Director of User Services; Director of Learning Experience Design & Digital Scholarship Support (LEDS); Director of Network and Technical Services; Director of Enterprise Systems; and Director of Media Services.  

Their respective operational areas are: 

• Assistant Chief Technology Officer /Director of User Services – Supports the day-to-day operational oversight of the IT department in general, manages the IT User Services group, supports end users (hardware and software), establishes overall operational priorities, manages resources, and reviews project progress and results with the other IT Directors. 

• LEDS – promotes technology-enhanced learning and provides support services to ensure that students, staff, and faculty have the necessary resources to effectively use technology in learning, teaching, research, and curriculum development;

• Network and Technical Services – provides support services to ensure the data, voice, & card network infrastructures are designed, installed, maintained, monitored and enhanced as needed to support the College’s ongoing and efficient operation;

• Enterprise Systems – provides support services to ensure Skidmore’s IT server and data infrastructure as well as software infrastructure are designed, maintained, monitored and enhanced as needed to support the College’s ongoing and efficient operation;

• Media Services – provides support services to ensure the College’s constituents have the media technology and related support they need to achieve their pedagogical, academic, administrative, and/or event goals; 

In directing and supervising these staff, the CTO ensures they recommend technologies that best help the College achieve its strategic goals while balancing available technical and financial resources.

The ideal candidate for this position will possess many of the following professional qualifications and personal qualities:

• Ten (10)+ years of successful and diverse experience across academic, administrative or management information systems required with at least five (5) years of progressively responsible technology leadership experience; demonstrated success in leading, managing, and developing teams required;

• A broad knowledge of digital networks, multimedia applications, distributed computing, administrative computing, cloud and web based technology, cybersecurity, telephony, and hardware/software infrastructure is necessary. Familiarity with Oracle-based and other Enterprise Resource Planning systems is strongly preferred;

• Proven track record related to keeping abreast of and implementing, where appropriate, the latest technological innovations to foster stakeholder support, productivity, and efficiency.  

• Ability to engage, motivate, influence, and support collaboration and communication across the campus;

• Ability to articulate and operationalize a strategic vision for information technology; demonstrated success in contributing to the institution’s technology strategy; solid business acumen and judgement;

• Strong communication skills with the ability to quickly form trusting relationships and earn the respect and confidence of employees;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as confident presentation and influencing skills;

• Collaborative, consultative, decisive and genuine leadership style; foster open communications, and proactively build positive relationships with faculty, staff, and students;

• Demonstrated expertise with a record of achievement in presenting and evaluating proactive and competitive technology practices, and recommending courses of action to leadership;

• A commitment to creative leadership that will motivate and inspire a staff while instilling a culture of accountability;

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in a related field

Advanced degree preferred
Higher education experience and an appreciation for a well-rounded liberal arts education are highly desirable.

Skidmore College is committed to being an inclusive campus community and, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, familial status, dating violence, or stalking, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Employment at Skidmore College is contingent upon an acceptable background check result.

CREATIVE THOUGHT MATTERS.

To be considered for this position, please fill out an online application and attach the following documents: cover letter, resume and list of three references to include name, title, company, email address and telephone number of three professional references.

Documents must be attached through the application system. If you encounter difficulty, please contact Human Resources at: careers@skidmore.edu or 518 580.5800