Chief Information Officer

Bethune-Cookman University - Daytona Beach, FL

Full-time - Executive

Daytona Beach, FL

Educational Services

About the position

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Bethune-Cookman University is a pivotal role responsible for shaping and executing the information technology vision and strategy for the institution. This position requires a dynamic leader who can effectively collaborate with academic and administrative leaders across various colleges to ensure that college-specific needs are integrated into the broader objectives of the University. The CIO will play a crucial role in defining and driving investments in IT infrastructure, talent, and policy, aiming to achieve best-in-class status for IT services and operations that support the University's academic, research, and outreach missions. In this role, the CIO will lead the development of both near- and long-term IT strategies, ensuring alignment with the University’s strategic direction. The position involves providing thought leadership for the creation of best-in-class platforms for teaching, learning, and research, while also emphasizing cost-effective service delivery that leverages both existing and emerging technologies. The CIO will be responsible for identifying and addressing the diverse IT needs of the University’s constituencies, thereby informing organizational priorities and performance standards. The CIO will also be tasked with developing and facilitating IT governance frameworks, ensuring that decision-making processes are transparent and inclusive. This includes approving and prioritizing IT project demands, engaging with external higher education communities, and maintaining a robust perspective on industry standards and best practices. The role requires the creation of a world-class customer service organization within IT, fostering high employee morale and commitment to service quality. Additionally, the CIO will oversee the development and management of funding models for IT investments, ensuring alignment with institutional needs. The position demands a strong focus on talent development within the IT organization, including robust hiring, training, and performance evaluation practices. The CIO will also be responsible for maintaining excellent relationships with external audit entities and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of near- and long-term IT strategy at the University, collaborating with academic and administrative leaders.
• Provide thought leadership for best-in-class platforms for teaching, learning, and research.
• Identify, assess, and address the varying IT needs of diverse University constituencies.
• Develop and facilitate IT governance and advisory frameworks through a transparent governance program.
• Approve, prioritize, and control IT project demands, negotiating timelines as necessary.
• Engage with external higher education communities and industry associations to maintain a robust perspective on industry standards.
• Create a responsive world-class customer service organization within IT.
• Develop and maintain an IT organizational structure to meet institutional needs.
• Establish strategies for in-sourced, out-sourced, or co-managed IT services.
• Oversee the development and management of funding models for IT investments.
• Develop the IT organization's talent through hiring, training, and performance evaluation practices.
• Motivate and lead a high-performing IT organization, fostering growth in skills and performance.
• Collaborate with IT functional leaders to establish department-level goals and objectives.
• Hold IT leaders accountable for fiscal and operational management of IT functional areas.
• Synthesize and provide regular reporting on the status of IT operations to Executive Leadership.
• Tailor and implement strategic technology policies across the University.
• Manage relationships with third parties and external stakeholders.
• Maintain a clear understanding of emerging technologies and industry direction.
• Ensure compliance with relevant state, federal, and contractual obligations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in information security, engineering, telecommunications, computer science, or a closely related field.
• 7+ years of experience in a leadership role in IT within higher education, with broad exposure to network, infrastructure, cloud, and multiplatform environments.
• Proven success as a strong change agent and leader, elevating IT at senior levels of an organization.
• Demonstrated success in hiring and managing staff, providing effective delegation and coaching.
• Experience in developing and implementing a comprehensive IT strategic plan.

Nice-to-haves

• Advanced degree in information systems, information technology, or a relevant field.
• Experience across all major components of a full-service institutional or corporate IT function.
• Experience leading through organizational and/or structural change.
• Experience with higher education CRM and ERP solutions and implementation.