Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer

CSCU System Office • Hartford, CT

4d • $238,502 - $298,128 • Hybrid

About The Position

Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) invites applications for the position of Vice Chancellor & Chief Information Officer (VC/CIO). The VC/CIO is CSCU’s senior technology executive and serves as a key advisor to the Chancellor and a member of the Chancellor’s executive leadership team. The VC/CIO provides both strategic and operational leadership for the System Office information technology organization, including direct supervision of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). In addition to leading systemwide technology strategy, governance, shared services and major technology investments, the VC/CIO is responsible for the operation and performance of critical enterprise technology environments, including Banner, the CT State learning environment, and System Office-supported security, network and internet infrastructure. The role works in partnership with institutional presidents, CIOs and technology leaders to ensure these services are secure, reliable and responsive to institutional needs while advancing common priorities across CSCU. CSCU is seeking an experienced, collaborative and forward-looking technology leader who can balance systemwide strategy and coordination with the distinct needs of CSCU’s institutions. The successful candidate will help shape the future of technology across CSCU, strengthen cybersecurity and enterprise services, improve the experience of students, faculty and staff, and ensure technology investments deliver measurable value. Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) is a multi-institution public higher education system comprising four regional state universities: Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University and Western Connecticut State University; Connecticut State Community College, a singly accredited institution with twelve main campus locations; and Charter Oak State College, a fully online institution. CSCU provides affordable, accessible and high-quality educational opportunities that help students achieve their personal and professional goals while supporting Connecticut’s workforce and economic needs. Across its institutions, CSCU is focused on expanding access, increasing student success and completion, and strengthening pathways to rewarding careers and continued education. The Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer plays a critical role in advancing this mission. Technology is central to how CSCU serves students, supports faculty and staff, protects information and resources, and enables effective operations across the System. The next VC/CIO will have the opportunity to shape CSCU’s technology strategy, strengthen cybersecurity and enterprise services, modernize systems and infrastructure, and foster greater coordination across institutions while ensuring that technology investments support student success, institutional effectiveness and the System’s long-term priorities. The next VC/CIO will lead the development and execution of CSCU’s information technology vision, strategy and roadmap while helping the System respond to a rapidly changing technology environment. The role provides leadership across areas including: Enterprise technology strategy and digital transformation, Cybersecurity, information security and technology risk, System Office infrastructure, networking and telecommunications, Enterprise academic and administrative technology, Data, analytics, artificial intelligence and cloud technologies, IT governance, policies and standards, Shared technology services, Technology procurement, strategic sourcing and vendor management, Accessibility and digital inclusion, Business continuity, disaster recovery and technology incident response. CSCU is a multi-institution public higher education system with technology needs spanning academic and administrative systems, cybersecurity, infrastructure, data, digital services and enterprise platforms. As a System Office executive, the VC/CIO works closely with System and institutional leaders to coordinate systemwide priorities, establish governance and standards, strengthen shared services, and determine where services are best delivered locally, collaboratively or at the system level. The System’s enterprise technology portfolio supports areas including student information, learning management, financial management, human resources, advancement, library services, emergency operations and facilities management. The System Office information technology organization directly operates several of these platforms for CT State, including the Ellucian Banner ERP and related applications, Blackboard Learn learning management and the systemwide information security environment, and it delivers shared infrastructure and services to the institutions. Institutional CIOs and their teams report within their own institutions and operate campus technology services; the VC/CIO leads across CSCU through governance, standards, shared services and partnership.

Requirements

• Proven success leading information technology organizations within large, complex, multi-site institutions serving diverse stakeholder populations.
• Extensive experience developing and executing enterprise technology strategies that align with organizational goals and support long-term institutional needs.
• Expertise in managing the security, privacy and governance of highly sensitive and confidential information, including personally identifiable information (PII), customer data and institutional records.
• Experience providing executive leadership for the design, implementation, operation and maintenance of complex technology infrastructure, systems and applications.
• The ability to effectively communicate technical concepts, opportunities, risks and requirements to executive leadership and other non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven success leading and developing professional, managerial and technical staff in a collaborative and results-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing significant operating, capital and personnel budgets and ensuring effective stewardship of organizational resources.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Strong technology proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams.
• Proven ability to effectively work with and support a culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse population of students, faculty and staff.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education administration and technology leadership.
• Experience working in a unionized environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-wide digital transformation, cybersecurity, governance and shared services initiatives.
• Proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English.

Responsibilities

• Serve as CSCU’s chief technology strategist and lead the development and implementation of the System’s technology vision, strategy and roadmap.
• Advise the Chancellor and executive leadership on technology opportunities, investments, risks and emerging trends.
• Lead System Office information technology operations, including computing, network and telecommunications infrastructure, and the System’s portfolio of shared technology services.
• Lead CSCU’s IT governance framework and work with institutional technology leaders to establish appropriate systemwide standards, policies and practices.
• Chair and facilitate ongoing collaboration among CIOs and technology leaders across CSCU.
• Supervise the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and provide executive leadership for CSCU’s Information Security Program, including cybersecurity strategy, data protection, technology risk, incident response, recovery and continuity planning.
• Advance the responsible use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, analytics and cloud computing.
• Lead business analytics and organizational change efforts that support the effective implementation of systemwide technology initiatives.
• Champion technology solutions that improve student access, engagement and success, strengthen institutional effectiveness, and enhance the overall digital learning experience.
• Provide strategic leadership for technology accessibility and digital inclusion.
• Lead technology procurement, contracting, strategic sourcing and vendor relationship management, including CSCU’s major enterprise technology contracts and service agreements.
• Oversee significant technology investments and work with System Office Finance and institutional leadership to maximize value and make effective use of CSCU resources.
• Work with institutional leaders to evaluate infrastructure, enterprise applications, support services and operating models and identify opportunities to improve service, efficiency, accountability and return on investment.
• Lead, develop and mentor a diverse team of technology professionals and build a collaborative, high-performing technology organization.
• Represent CSCU with state and federal agencies, higher education organizations, technology partners and other external stakeholders.

Benefits

• Generous paid leave
• A choice of retirement plans
• Comprehensive health insurance options
• Access to a range of supplemental benefits that provide additional opportunities for financial protection and retirement planning.
• Eligible employees may also have access to course privileges for themselves and eligible family members, subject to applicable policies and requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive