FT Chief Information Officer

Salary: $115,793.00 - $131,996.00 Annually
Location : Sierra Vista-District Wide, AZ
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number:
Division: FT--Administration
Departments: FT--Administration - Technology Services
Opening Date: 02/03/2025
FLSA: Exempt
Remote Work Eligible: No
Pay Grade: EX20
Duration/Parameters: Full-Time; 12 Months/Year

Position Summary
Position Summary: The Chief Information Officer (CIO) serves as a member of the President's Administrative Cabinet and is responsible for developing and implementing a digital strategy aligned with the Mission, Vision, and Strategic Priorities of the college and will consider the following areas of focus:

• Excel - being the best at what we do. To ensure the college's technologies and processes function effectively and efficiently
• Protect - by securing the college and its electronic assets from cyber-attacks and cyber-failures
• Enable - the college by providing tools and services that support business needs
• Advance - the college by delivering solutions that improve business performance through automation, change, and innovation
• Differentiate - the college by creating opportunities to stand out from the competition
• Evolve - the college by enhancing our organizational capabilities and practices to thrive in the digital world

To achieve these objectives, the CIO utilizes both direct leadership of the College's technology services resources and indirect leadership across all digital related activities. The CIO serves as the college's senior advisor on matters related to information technology and will lead the college through the transitions required to provide a world class learning experience for current and future students.

Essential Functions: As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.

Note: Cochise College requires a post-offer, pre-employment background screening of all employees.
*Priority will be given to applications received on or before March 3, 2025. This position is open until filled, with applications reviewed upon receipt. The job posting may close at any time.
*In addition to the listed salary, this position will include a travel and technology stipend.
Marketing Statement

Cochise College serves the residents of Cochise County from two campuses and four centers throughout Southern Arizona with panoramic views of five different mountain ranges. The college has been recognized nationally for its cost, return on investment, and high success rate; providing over 90 general and technical education programs leading to a variety of workforce certificates and associate degrees. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).

CHECK OUT COCHISE COLLEGE HERE!
Duties and Responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities: Within the scope of college policies and procedures, this position:

The CIO will prepare the college for the future by extending and building upon three key relationships of technology with the college. These relationships are:

• Almost all functions in higher education are enabled by technology systems, whether teaching and learning, research experiments, student support, facilities management, commercial operations or general administration
• Technology permanently reshapes the nature of teaching, learning and research. In the context of digital disruption, Technology becomes one of the main sources of competitive advantage: creation, access, collaboration, flexibility, personalization, differentiation, and global reach
• To sustain a digital performance effort, the organization must acquire "digital DNA". The central function of the CIO is to accompany and guide this transformation process

The CIO is responsible for working to align projects and operations with the institutional mission, vision and values. The CIO should understand his or her customers, their needs, and will apply best practices in higher education management to resolve issues.

The CIO provides direct oversight, planning, management and support to the following college functional areas:

• Academic computing and related audiovisual systems including labs and instructional support;
• Administrative computing including ERP systems, voice and data communications, data center operations, systems application support, data management, and web and mobile technologies;
• Information management including data governance, data classification, and data security;
• Promote a culture of effectively managing institutional resources and data
• Client support services including technical help desk, classroom and event multimedia support

The CIO is also responsible for all technology services operations, including:

• Technology Leadership - Provides leadership and accountability as a member of the college's leadership team. Contributes to the implementation of the college's strategic planning goals, mission, vision/values, and budget. Serves as the strategic and visionary leader for the integration of educational and business technology in support of the college's mission
• Human Resources and Organizational Development - Develops the people, structures, systems, and processes within Technology Services to more effectively accomplish the College's educational and business objectives. Actively participates in Business Process Improvement activities
• Technology Services Operations - Provides direction, guidance, and support on all operational technology matters including architectures, integration, systems, data center, security and data privacy, data management, customer support, enterprise applications, business information and analytics, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, disaster recovery, project management, and all other aspects of the technology infrastructure
• Technology Investments - Guides and influences technology investments within the context of institutional effectiveness and organizational alignment with the College's strategic plan

The CIO represents the College at state and regional meetings and serves on district committees and task forces as assigned

The CIO performs other duties as assigned

General Expectations: Employees are expected to accomplish assigned duties in an efficient, effective and competent manner and to strive for improvement and excellence in all work performed. Additionally, employees must understand the comprehensive role of the community college and cooperate and work harmoniously with students, faculty and staff, and the public. Employees will follow all college policies, rules, regulations and guidelines as they relate to this position.

Education and Experience; Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Education and Experience Requirements:

Bachelor's degree with major in a technical discipline from an institution accredited by an institutional accrediting body of higher learning recognized by the US Department of Education,

AND

15 years' experience managing technology resources, preferably in a higher education environment

OR

Master's degree with major in a technical discipline from an institution accredited by an institutional accrediting body of higher learning recognized by the US Department of Education

AND

10 years' experience managing technology resources, preferably in a higher education environment

Additional education and experience requirements:

Experience in both instructional and administrative roles is highly desirable

Experience with technology services related compliance and regulations, including FERPA, GLBA, and PCI-DSS

Significant experience in leading change and managing transitions

Progressively responsible experience with systems/technology management within a large, complex organization is required

Strategic planning, system design, and implementation experience in the application of information and communications technologies to effectively achieve strategic plans and goals

Preferred qualifications:

Prior experience with Microsoft 365, Dynamics, and Azure environments

Prior experience with Anthology Enterprise Resource Planning systems

An equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities has been achieved may be considered.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The successful Chief Information Officer could come from a wide range of backgrounds, but it is envisioned the following foundational elements will be present:

Strong commitment to the community college mission

High level of personal integrity and professionalism

Thorough management knowledge leading a technology organization

Excellent communications and interpersonal skills

An ability to effectively communicate technical strategies to senior administration and actively participate in business strategy development is an essential requirement

Demonstrated high level of collaboration with multiple business units

An ability to manage large-scale application selection and implementation of projects

Demonstrated skills in the identification of business process improvements targets and the application of technology to optimize business processes

Ability to inspire values, vision and strategy

Ability in hiring, developing, and retaining smart, adaptable and skilled staff

Ability to foster a culture of communication, collaboration, consultation and commitment

Ability to nurture creativity through experimentation, imagination and innovation

Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, and to relate to others in a professional, helpful manner

Ability to relate to a diverse population and to maintain composure when faced with difficult situations

Ability to work independently while contributing to team environment

Ability to effectively identify and resolve problems and to maintain strict confidentiality related to sensitive information

Ability to analyze problems, identify solutions, and take appropriate action to resolve problems using independent judgment and decision-making processes

Work Environment & Physical Requirements
Work Environment: Work is primarily performed under general supervision. Incumbent generally performs work in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Travel is required. Occasional early morning, evening, and/or weekend work is required. May be required to be available for after-hours emergency response to ensure continuity of services in support of the college's mission, students and staff.

Physical Requirements: Essential functions of this position require lifting, manual dexterity, ability to communicate.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body; involves sitting majority of time; walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Mental Application: Utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, critical thinking, adaptability and creative problem-solving skills are important.

Reports To: Executive Vice President for Administration
Cochise College is committed to providing a as part of total compensation for our benefit eligible employees.