Chief Information Office/IT Manager

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) plays a pivotal role in advancing the strategic vision and mission of CLIENT. Reporting directly to the President, the CIO will be a key leader in shaping the university’s technology strategy to support academic excellence, administrative efficiency, and regulatory compliance. This role is critical to ensuring the university remains innovative, compliant, and prepared to meet the challenges of modern higher education.

The CIO will drive the strategic adoption of technology to enhance student learning, improve operational performance, and strengthen institutional growth. This position also ensures adherence to Title III, Title IV, GLBA, FERPA, and other federal and state regulations, positioning CLIENT as a leader in secure and innovative technology practices.

Due to client requirement, applicants must be willing and able to work on a w2 basis. For our w2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance.

Rate: $55 - $65 / hr. w2

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a university-wide IT strategy aligned with CLIENT’s mission, objectives, and growth goals.
• Provide leadership in leveraging technology to enhance student success, faculty support, and administrative processes.
• Ensure technology investments align with strategic priorities and provide measurable value to the institution. Compliance and Risk Management
• Lead compliance efforts for Title III, Title IV, GLBA, FERPA, and other regulatory requirements.
• Oversee the development and implementation of a Written Information Security Program (WISP) and other policies to ensure data privacy and security.
• Conduct risk assessments, establish disaster recovery plans, and ensure IT governance frameworks align with higher education standards. Technology Innovation and Modernization
• Drive the adoption of emerging technologies to enhance learning environments, streamline administrative operations, and improve student engagement.
• Oversee the modernization of IT infrastructure, including cloud platforms, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems (e.g., Jenzabar), and campus-wide digital solutions.
• Implement and optimize role-based access controls, cybersecurity protocols, and enterprise system integration. Operational Excellence
• Direct the management of IT services, including infrastructure, applications, support, and digital initiatives, to ensure seamless delivery of services.
• Establish benchmarks for IT performance and ensure accountability in meeting operational and strategic goals.
• Collaborate with academic leadership to support faculty and students through advanced instructional technologies and resources. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the President and executive leadership team, providing insights on IT trends and opportunities.
• Foster partnerships with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders to align IT initiatives with institutional needs.
• Represent CLIENT in state, regional, and national forums on higher education technology. Team Development and Leadership
• Build and lead a high-performing IT team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor staff, provide professional development opportunities, and ensure a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the department. Qualifications

Experience Requirements:

• Deep understanding of compliance standards such as Title III, Title IV, GLBA, FERPA, and other regulations impacting public universities.
• Proficiency in IT governance, cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001), and risk management.
• Strong knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., Jenzabar or SAP), network infrastructure, and modern instructional technologies.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts to diverse stakeholders. Certifications
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) preferred.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a plus.
• Higher Education-specific certifications such as EDUCAUSE Management Institute are highly desirable. Key Competencies
• Strategic Vision: Ability to align technology initiatives with the university’s long-term goals and mission.
• Leadership: Skilled in building, mentoring, and leading diverse teams in a collaborative and inclusive environment.
• Innovation: Passionate about leveraging technology to drive institutional transformation and growth.
• Problem-Solving: Proactive in identifying challenges and implementing scalable solutions.
• Ethics and Integrity: Commitment to transparency, accountability, and compliance in all aspects of IT operations.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field is required.
• Master’s degree in IT, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a related field is strongly preferred. Experience
• At least 10 years of progressive IT leadership experience, with a minimum of 5 years in higher education or public sector IT management.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing IT strategies that support institutional goals.
• Experience managing enterprise systems, cloud environments, and cybersecurity frameworks.
• Jenzabar or similar higher education software experience.
• AI (Artificial Intelligence) experience.
• Ticketing experience.
• Knowledge transfer/training experience.

Skills, experience, and other compensable factors will be considered when determining pay rate. The pay range provided in this posting reflects a W2 hourly rate; other employment options may be available that may result in pay outside of the provided range.

W2 employees of Eliassen Group who are regularly scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week are eligible for the following benefits: medical (choice of 3 plans), dental, vision, pre-tax accounts, other voluntary benefits including life and disability insurance, 401(k) with match, and sick time if required by law in the worked-in state/locality.

Please be advised- If anyone reaches out to you about an open position connected with Eliassen Group, please confirm that they have an Eliassen.com email address and never provide personal or financial information to anyone who is not clearly associated with Eliassen Group. If you have any indication of fraudulent activity, please contact InfoSec@eliassen.com.