Chief of Operations, Division of Information Technology

California State University, Fullerton•Fullerton, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Division of Information Technology (IT) strives to be a strategic, innovative and best‐in‐class IT organization that provides a leading‐edge technology environment for students, faculty, and staff to advance the University’s mission, vision and goals. We are seeking an exceptional individual to join our IT-Administration team as the Chief of Operations, Division of Information Technology (Administrator II). The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude, an active, energetic mind, and a leadership style that is characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to inclusivity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university and a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience supporting executive leadership, operations, or administration in a complex environment.
Experience leading operational initiatives, managing cross-functional projects, and supporting strategic planning where priorities and resources evolve.
Experience with budget administration, financial planning, and resource allocation.
Experience managing personnel, including supervision, performance management, employee relations, and recruitment coordination.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare executive-level reports and communications for campus leadership, the Chancellor's Office, and external stakeholders.
Ability to operate independently with initiative, discretion, sound judgment, political acumen, and a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment.
Regular attendance is considered an essential job function.
Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended.
Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in business administration, public administration, information systems, or a related field.
Seven years of progressively responsible experience supporting executive leadership, operations, or administration in a complex environment, within an information technology organization in higher education or another large public-sector setting.
Experience navigating organizational and budget change, including reorganizations, leadership transitions, and budget reallocations.
Experience supporting executive leadership within a CSU campus or comparable public university system, including familiarity with shared governance and Chancellor's Office reporting expectations.
Demonstrated ability to thrive in operationally demanding and rapidly evolving IT environments, with the judgment and adaptability needed to support executive decision-making under pressure.
Working knowledge of IT service management (ITSM) frameworks and industry standards (e.g., Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies (COBIT)), sufficient to engage with technical leaders and translate operational complexity into decision-ready briefings.

Responsibilities

Provides executive leadership and oversight of the Office of the Vice President for Information Technology and of the Division of IT's administrative operations.
Responsible for advancing the division's operational effectiveness in support of institutional priorities, student success, and the delivery of enterprise technology services.
Directs the division’s core administrative functions, including IT Finance, IT Human Resources, divisional space management, professional development, and serves as the principal personnel officer for the Division of IT.
Leads divisional organizational strategy in partnership with the Vice President of IT/Chief Information Officer (VPIT/CIO) and senior leadership team.
Represents the VPIT/CIO to on-campus and off-campus constituents, internal committees, and community partners.
Maintains a divisional view of the project portfolio, partnering with the IT senior leadership team to coordinate across initiatives, identify dependencies and resource conflicts, and keep the VPIT/CIO informed on portfolio health, risks, and timing.
Other duties as assigned.