VP Information Technology

Follett Content Solutions has been a trusted partner for educators since 1873! We support our educators that touch more than 45 million students worldwide. Follett Content Solutions helps build a diverse collection of print and digital resources to support every student. We are currently hiring for a VP Information Technology.. This position is part of our leadership team and has $7.5m budget responsibility. This position is an exempt full-time position located in McHenry, IL. The pay range for this position is $200,000 - $215,000 plus bonus potential. We offer a hybrid work schedule with 3 days in the office (Monday, Tuesday & Thursday) and 2 remote days (Wednesday & Friday). We will consider remote for the right candidate. We offer an array of benefits, to see those benefits click here

Any pay range disclosed is based upon a combination of neutral factors such as required qualifications, experience, education, skill, training, certifications, seniority, etc. Follett Content Solutions reserves the right to provide any successful candidate a salary at the most appropriate level set as a result of such candidate’ qualifications, experience, education, skill, training, certifications or seniority.

Position Overview:

The Vice President of Information Technology (IT) plans and directs all IT management, cybersecurity, technology, and digital strategies related to operational business applications and IT operations. This role requires a leader with a strong technical background, experience in leading application development and technology teams, excellent communication and people skills, and the ability to drive innovation and business efficiency through technology.

Key Responsibilities:

• Business Applications:
  • Guide the management and communication of a project portfolio that aligns development and software implementation projects with the operational needs of the business.
  • Oversee and actively participate in mainframe transformation project that is critical for immediate and future growth of the business.
  • Understand the design of and oversee changes to the company’s business applications architecture.
  • When presented with significant business problems, weigh ‘build versus buy’ solutions and the cost benefit of each.
  • Oversee design, development, implementation and support of operational business systems.
  • Own, review, and refine the department’s project management, application development, and DevOps processes to meet the changing needs of the team, technology, and the business.
  • Create a culture and environment where building, testing, and releasing software can happen rapidly, frequently, and reliably.
  • Ensure high availability of operational business systems.
• Strategic Leadership and Vision:
  • Develop and implement a long-term IT vision and strategy in line with the overall business strategy that addresses short term needs and long-term growth capabilities.
  • Collaborate with executive leadership to identify and prioritize as well as integrate IT and business strategies.
  • Promote a culture of innovation and agility within the IT department, with a focus on futureproofing solutions.
  • Research and implement emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, that can provide competitive advantages and provide flexible and adaptive systems to meet changing business needs.
  • Communicate complex IT concepts to non-technical stakeholders including the Board.
  • Present IT strategies and progress reports to the Board of Directors.
  • Serve as the liaison between IT and other departments for technology-related initiatives. Break down barriers on conversion for IT projects.
• IT Operations & Services:
  • Lead the management of IT operations and services, including infrastructure, networks, applications, security, and support.
  • Ensure high availability, reliability, and security of all IT systems and services.
  • Know the design of the company’s systems architecture and oversee the maintenance of and changes to network, on-premises, and cloud resources.
  • Plan for future architectural needs.
  • Ensure the consistent utilization and continuous improvement of IT processes and procedures.
  • Ensure the responsiveness and quality of IT services and support to effectively meet business needs.
  • Ensure that hardware and software updates and upgrades are completed regularly for sustained security and resilience.
  • Ensure that hardware and software support and maintenance agreements are monitored, kept up-to-date, and renewed or re-negotiated, as needed.
• Cybersecurity, Risk Management, & Data Protection:
  • Lead implementation of comprehensive cybersecurity and IT policies and procedures to ensure IT infrastructure is robust and secure while also aligning with overarching business goals.
  • Oversee data protection programs, policies, and procedures.
  • Ensure that security awareness is driven company wide.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant cybersecurity and data protection regulations and standards.
  • Maintain the company’s cyber security and major incident response plans.
  • Lead incident response during in-progress security and major technical incidents.
  • Develop and test disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity plans (BCP).
• Team Management:
  • Recruit, train, and mentor IT personnel, fostering a high-performance, high-quality, and innovative team culture.
  • Promote communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing within and across the teams and across functional areas.
  • Create opportunities for and facilitate development of team members for learning new technologies & skills and professional growth.
• Budget Management:
  • Prepare and manage the IT budget & forecasts including operating & capital expenses, optimizing expenditures for maximum ROI.
  • Conduct cost-benefit analyses for IT investments.
  • Monitor IT spending and adjust plans as necessary to meet financial objectives.
• Vendor Management:
  • Establish strong relationships with key technology vendors and service providers to create a stable cadre of resources in a variety of technical areas, as needed.
  • Negotiate contracts to secure favorable terms and ensure service quality.
  • Regularly evaluate vendor performance and compliance with SLAs.

Requirements:

• Bachelors in Info Systems, Computer Science or related field.
• Ability to Resolves complex problem with independent action
• Demonstrates considerable judgments and has authority to act.
• Demonstrated experience in managing successful application development, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital transformation projects with deep understanding of oversight necessary for landscape changing IT initiatives.
• Minimum of 10-12 years of experience in IT, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment and need assistance or an accommodation in the application process due to a disability, please contact us by email or phone.

• Email: Send request to fcshr@follettcontent.com
• Phone: Request assistance by calling 800.773.7010 x45130

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