Executive Director of Information Technology, Cockrell School of Engineering

University of Texas at Austin

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director of Information Technology directs the Cockrell School of Engineering Information Technology Group, providing vision, structure, coordination, and alignment to meet IT needs across the School and serving as a liaison to campus, system, and industry partners. The role develops a multi-year IT roadmap supporting research and teaching, including technology modernization, digital transformation, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. The Executive Director oversees IT operations and personnel, manages the ITG budget and vendor relationships, and ensures the School’s infrastructure meets University security standards. The position advises the dean, represents the School in University IT forums, and works with departments, research units, and central administration to address current and anticipated technology needs. It also leads IT governance and project prioritization, oversees classroom and conference-room A/V systems, and provides requested operational support on a cost-recovery basis.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or a related field.
At least 10 years of progressive IT leadership experience, including significant responsibility for technology strategy, major initiatives, staff, budgeting, and vendor management.
Experience leading a broad technology organization or portfolio spanning several areas such as application development, data and analytics, infrastructure, end-user services, cybersecurity, cloud services, or technology planning.
Experience developing and executing technology strategy, including significant modernization, digital transformation, systems implementation, or organizational change initiatives.
Experience managing technology professionals and leaders, including staff development, performance management, and organizational planning.
Knowledge of cybersecurity, technology risk management, business continuity, data management, and IT governance.
Ability to advise senior executives, communicate complex technology issues to nontechnical audiences, and lead through influence across varied stakeholders in a complex organization.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or a related field.
15 or more years of progressive IT leadership experience.
Experience as a CIO, CTO, senior technology executive, or in a comparable enterprise technology leadership role.
Experience leading technology in higher education, government, another public institution, or a similarly complex, mission-driven organization, particularly within Texas.
Experience working in a federated or decentralized technology environment.
Experience with enterprise architecture, system integration, and project portfolio management.
Experience modernizing legacy applications, including retiring legacy systems or measurably reducing technical debt.
Experience establishing enterprise project prioritization and portfolio decision processes.
Experience developing organizational approaches to artificial intelligence or other emerging technologies.
Experience supporting technology requirements for academic instruction or research.
Experience with University of Texas policies, procedures, and administrative systems, or experience in higher education or an academic environment.
CISSP, CISM, CRISC, or CISA certification.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Cockrell School of Engineering Leadership Team and others to define IT vision, goals, and a multi-year roadmap supporting research and teaching, including modernization, digital transformation, and emerging technologies.
Develop a School-wide understanding of hardware, software, and related IT needs across engineering departments and research units, and coordinate with other CSE IT managers.
Oversee IT operations across services including networking infrastructure, desktops, and servers, directly or with distributed IT partners.
Coordinate IT personnel, monitor operations, align work with priorities, recruit and develop staff, and conduct annual staff evaluations.
Manage the ITG budget and ensure budget compliance.
Oversee vendor management, contracting, and procurement of IT infrastructure for the Dean’s Office complex and CSE operations.
Ensure CSE IT infrastructure meets UT security standards, including cybersecurity risk management, business continuity, and data governance.
Advise the dean on IT matters and represent CSE on University IT committees and associated organizations.
Meet with heads of Dean’s Office complex units to identify IT needs, recommend solutions, and confirm progress.
Oversee A/V technology systems in CSE classrooms and centrally managed conference rooms.
Provide requested IT operational support to departments and organized research units on a cost-recovery basis.
Work with departments, Organized Research Units, and central administration to ensure UT IT infrastructure meets current and anticipated CSE researcher needs.
Establish and lead IT governance and project prioritization processes across CSE.
Oversee annual IT inventory and compliance reporting.
Perform other relevant functions as assigned.

Benefits

Competitive health benefits, with employee premiums covered at 100% and family premiums at 50%.
Voluntary vision, dental, life, and disability insurance options.
Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays.
Teachers Retirement System of Texas defined benefit retirement plan, with 8.25% employer matching funds.
Additional voluntary retirement programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and Deferred Compensation program 457(b).
Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses.
Free training access through LinkedIn Learning and professional conference opportunities.
Tuition assistance.
Employee discount program, including athletic tickets.
Free access to UT Austin libraries and museums with staff ID card.
Free rides on UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card.