Executive Director, Technology Services

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences•Yakima, WA

1h•$123,200 - $209,400•Onsite

About The Position

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) seeks a forward-thinking technology leader to lead, define, and deliver the University’s information technology and digital strategy in service of teaching, learning, research, clinical training, operations, and administration. Reporting to the Chief of Staff / Vice President of Operations, this leader is accountable for the integrity, security, and continuous modernization of PNWU’s systems integration and technology infrastructure while positioning the University to thrive in an era of rapid technological and artificial intelligence advancement. The role carries two complementary mandates. First, it ensures that PNWU’s core environment (enterprise systems, the ERP platform, networks, cloud services, identity and access management, and information security) is reliable, integrated, resilient, and cost-effective. Second, it advances the University into the future by establishing the data foundations, governance, infrastructure, and responsible-use practices required to adopt AI and emerging technologies in ways that are secure, ethical, mission-aligned, and genuinely useful to faculty, staff, and students. This executive translates institutional priorities into a coherent multi-year technology roadmap, builds and develops a high-performing IT organization, partners across every division to reduce silos and improve service, and serves as PNWU’s principal advisor and spokesperson on technology, digital transformation, and AI.

Requirements

Required: Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, information systems, or a related field
An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential functions of the position
Required: 7-9 years of progressively responsible IT leadership experience, including direct supervision of technical managers teams
Proven ability to develop and execute enterprise technology, digital, and AI strategy aligned with organizational mission and goals
Strong background in enterprise systems and ERP, systems integration and interoperability, and enterprise architecture and data governance
Depth in infrastructure modernization, cloud technologies, networking, and identity and access management
Expertise in cybersecurity, information-risk management, privacy, and regulatory compliance
Working knowledge of AI and advanced analytics, including the data foundations, governance, and responsible-use practices required to adopt them safely
Strong financial, vendor, contract, and technology-portfolio management skills
Skill in project and program management principles, processes, and techniques
Excellent written, oral, and public-speaking communication
Able to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical audiences
Skill in independent decision-making, problem-solving, and coordinating and monitoring the work of others
Collaborative, inclusive leadership style with strong stakeholder engagement and change-management capability
Knowledge of administrative procedures, business management, and fiscal practices
Deep commitment to customer service, digital accessibility, and institutional sustainability

Nice To Haves

Preferred: Master’s Degree in related field
Preferred: Experience in higher education, healthcare or a similarly complex, regulated mission driven organization; experience leading ERP and enterprise-systems modernization and guiding responsible AI adoption

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a multi-year technology and digital strategy aligned with PNWU’s mission, vision, strategic plan, and operational priorities.
Serve as principal advisor to university leadership on technology investments, digital transformation, AI adoption, innovation, and long-term sustainability.
Establish the vision, governance, infrastructure, and responsible-use framework that enable PNWU to adopt AI and emerging technologies safely and effectively.
Lead IT financial planning, budgeting, technology lifecycle management, and total-cost-of-ownership discipline.
Provide executive oversight of the University’s ERP platform and enterprise business systems.
Drive interoperability and integration across academic, administrative, and clinical systems to reduce redundancy, eliminate manual workarounds, and improve data reliability.
Establish enterprise architecture standards, integration patterns, and data-governance practices that support analytics and data-informed decision-making.
Translate cross-functional business requirements into scalable, maintainable, well-documented technical solutions.
Provide strategic oversight of infrastructure, networking, cloud services, identity and access management, and core platforms, partnering with the Director of Network Services.
Lead infrastructure modernization—optimizing cloud-based systems for scalability, reliability, and cost efficiency and retire deprecated technologies and technical debt.
Ensure capacity, performance, redundancy, disaster-recovery and business-continuity readiness across the environment.
Design, implement, and maintain a risk-based cybersecurity and information-security program aligned with university policy, regulatory obligations, and applicable law.
Oversee vulnerability management, monitoring, incident response, security awareness, and third-party/vendor risk due diligence.
Embed security, privacy, and data-protection considerations into procurement, system design, AI adoption, and change management.
Build the data, infrastructure, and governance foundations required for trustworthy AI and advanced analytics across the institution.
Guide responsible evaluation, piloting, and adoption of AI-enabled tools, balancing innovation with data governance, privacy, accessibility, and compliance.
Establish clear intake, evaluation, and support models and partner with academic and operational leaders to identify high-impact, mission-aligned use cases.
Oversee IT client services and end-user support, partnering with the Director of IT Client Services to deliver responsive, high-quality, customer-focused service.
Establish service standards, escalation paths, a culture of operational discipline, and continuous improvement.
Ensure technology effectively supports faculty teaching, student learning, research, and administrative operations.
Lead, mentor, and develop the IT organization across network services, enterprise systems/ERP, and client services.
Build, retain, and appropriately resource a skilled, engaged, and adaptable team, including emerging capabilities in cloud, security, AI, and integration.
Maintain effective relationships with campus, state, and national groups; serve on committees and represent PNWU as its technology spokesperson and expert.
Perform other related duties as assigned based on departmental need.
Performs job duties in accordance with safety, legal, and regulatory requirements; University policy and procedures; and accepted business practices.
Acts with the highest level of professional ethical standards in all aspects of job performance, in accordance with the mission and values of PNWU.
Understands and adheres to accreditation standards and expectations specific to the department.