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Vice Provost for Information Technology / CIO

Western Washington University, WA
Job Level
Senior position
Post Date
03/13/2017
Job Category
Provost / Vice Provost, C Level
Sector
  • Technology
Job Status
Areas of Responsibility
  • All Areas of Technology
Link to Job Posting
About the Position: As a visionary, authentic leader, the Vice Provost for Information Technology / Chief Information Officer ensures the delivery of secure, reliable, user-centered technology services of broad scope and purpose, develops and implements technology-related policies and procedures, and works with University administration in the strategic planning, prioritization, and resourcing of technology initiatives. The CIO fosters a culture of transparency and accountability and actively promotes Western’s commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its services and workforce. Beyond Western, the CIO engages in local, state, and national technology initiatives and is an active member of the higher education technology community. 

This position reports to the Provost and is an important part of the university’s central executive leadership team. The CIO works with other executive leaders and the faculty in a collaborative collective bargaining environment to implement the university’s mission. The CIO is a visible leader within the university and broader community. It is anticipated that the CIO will assume the office on approximately August 1, 2017.

About the College/Department:
The CIO is responsible for the overall leadership and management of Information Technology Services (ITS), which comprises three central departments. ITS supports Western’s mission is to bring together individuals of diverse backgrounds and perspectives in an inclusive, student-centered university that develops the potential of learners and the well-being of communities. Western encourages applications from diverse candidates.
ITS includes:
  • Academic Technology and User Services (ATUS): ATUS is the face of information technology at Western providing desktop services and support for teaching and learning.
  • Enterprise Application Services (EAS): EAS is responsible for the implementation, operation, maintenance and evolution of Western’s enterprise applications.
  • Enterprise Infrastructure Services (EIS): EIS provides the underlying infrastructure and core information technology services for the university and includes the Information Security Office.

Technology at Western: ITS supports Western's anchor enterprise technologies for resource planning, learning management, network infrastructure, identity management, virtualized servers and storage. Website support, specialized student labs, and department specific systems are supported through information technology staff in the colleges, libraries, and various departments of the Business and Financial Affairs, Enrollment and Student Services, University Advancement, and University Relations and Community Development divisions. Planning between central and distributed information technology functions and staff is coordinated through formal and informal shared governance structures. The CIO represents Western as an active member of the Northwest Academic Computing Consortium (NWACC).

About the University: The main campus of Western Washington University is located on 212 picturesque acres in Bellingham, Washington, a city of 83,580 people located between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia. Nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains and adjacent to the beautiful San Juan Islands, Bellingham is nationally recognized for quality of life, outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship. As the third largest university in the State of Washington, Western enrolls over fifteen thousand students in more than 160 academic programs at the Bellingham campus and seven satellite locations around the Puget Sound area.

Western, which first opened its doors in 1899, is perennially ranked as the best public, master's-granting university in the Pacific Northwest and No. 2 in the West, according to U.S. News & World Report college rankings. Kiplinger’s ranks Western among the top 100 public colleges and universities in the nation that offer the best quality and affordability. U.S. News and World Report has named Western one of the most cost-efficient in the country among highly-ranked universities and for several years in a row the Chronicle of Higher Education has recognized Western as a “Great Place to Work.” Western is particularly proud of its position as a leader in multidisciplinary environmental education and sustainable campus operations. 

Western provides an active student-centered learning environment with a liberal arts and sciences foundation and robust co-curricular, internship, research, creative, and service learning opportunities. The proximity to Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia provides many opportunities to collaborate with tech leaders to enhance the teaching and learning experience for Western students and faculty. Bellingham has an engaged technology community, including the  Technology Alliance Group for Northwest Washington, the annual LinuxFest Northwest Conference, and the business support for technology industries through Choose Whatcom and Northwest Innovation Resource Center.

There is a widely shared vision that Western will be a higher education leader in a culturally responsive 21st century learning environment, applying its critical strengths to societal issues as well as creating a welcoming community for a diversity of people, ideas, and programs. To that end, Western has embraced a style that is collegial, transparent, and timely in its engagement and communication with on- and off-campus stakeholders.

Western is not only committed to the academic growth of its students, but to empowering them to be engaged and active agents of positive change in the world.  Western is ranked first in the nation among medium-sized universities for Peace Corps participation, was first in the nation in 2014 among public, masters-granting institutions for the number of its graduates awarded Fulbright Fellowships, and has been classified for five years as a Carnegie Community Engagement University.  Western has been designated a "Military Friendly School", for the six consecutive years by G.I. Jobs magazine.  For more information about Western:  http://www.wwu.edu.

Position Responsibilities:
Through a visionary and authentic leadership style, the CIO:
  • Advocates for Western at the local, state, and national levels through appropriate participation in technology initiatives at those levels
  • Advances ITS and Western's broader technology needs to senior administration and appropriate University committees
  • Engages in University planning and policy formation
  • Develops, interprets, amends, and enforces technology policies and procedures consistent with best practices, state laws, contracts, and other agreements
  • Provides vision and direction for a mature information security operation for the university
  • Ensures a broad, reliable, user-centered technology infrastructure and experience in alignment with the University's mission
  • Coordinates technical standards that promote a quality user experience in a stable and secure computing environment
  • Creates a shared vision and prepares long-range strategic planning in ways that advance equitable and inclusive learning communities and work environments
  • Establishes and maintains shared governance structures to facilitate collaborative discussion and implementation of campus IT plans and policies
  • Develops, allocates, and manages technology funding, including financial management, resource planning, and organizational design
Required Qualifications:
  • Minimum of 7 years of progressive management and leadership responsibilities within information technology
  • An earned bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, or international equivalent
  • Demonstrated commitment to and experience in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion and a proven ability to work effectively with diverse colleagues and students throughout the university
  • An understanding of the values and principles of public higher education
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences
  • Successful experience supervising technology personnel, including the ability to lead, manage, coach, and develop those individuals
  • Demonstrated leadership skills in collaborative decision making and developing constructive professional relationships across organizational units
  • Experience preparing and maintaining complex budgets
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and execution of information technology solutions in a complex environment
  • Experience as a senior/executive leader in a complex information technology organization
  • Strong customer focus
  • Advanced degree in a discipline relevant to the responsibilities of this position
  • Experience with information technology systems and information security
  • Significant experience and skill in negotiating with vendors, contractors, and others
  • Demonstrated experience with management methodologies for continuous improvement
Academic Emphasis: N/A
Job Location: Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 
Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications
Bargaining Union: Not applicable
Application Instructions and Requested Documents: Applications should be submitted online using the University’s Electronic Application System for Employment (EASE). (Note: You will need to use Internet Explorer to fully utilize the EASE system.) 

Please log on below at “Apply” to submit your application. To be considered you must submit the following: 1) A cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications; 2) curriculum vita or resume; and 3) contact information for four professional references.

Other Information: For further information, potential applicants may inquire confidentially to Jennifer Sloan, Assistant to the Provost, by email: Jennifer.Sloan@wwu.edu.
Job Posted: 3/3/2017
Closing Date Notes: Application review begins March 24, 2017; position is open until filled
Recruitment #: 170157
Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU's Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation. Inquiries may be directed to the Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Equal Opportunity Office, Western Washington University, Old Main 345 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); eoo@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3774 or 711 (Washington Relay).

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires.