Vice President of Information Technology/Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Johnson & Wales University•Providence, RI

13d

About The Position

Johnson & Wales University is seeking an exceptional executive to serve as its next Vice President of Information Technology/Chief Information Officer (CIO). This forward-thinking, strategic leader will shape the institution’s digital future. Reporting to the University Chancellor and serving as a member of the university’s Cabinet, this is a high-impact role for a visionary who thrives at the intersection of technology strategy, data innovation, and organizational transformation. The CIO will shape and execute a comprehensive digital strategy, partnering closely with academic, student, and administrative leaders to advance the university’s mission. This executive will guide major enterprise technology investments, champion modernization and analytics initiatives, and bring forward emerging technologies, including AI-enabled solutions, to elevate academic excellence and operational performance. A critical component of the role includes leading the university’s cybersecurity governance and data-risk strategy, ensuring strong protection of institutional assets while enabling digital transformation and compliance. The CIO will cultivate a high-performing, service-driven IT team, leading process improvements that streamline operations. The CIO will also shape strategic vendor partnerships that accelerate innovation and optimize technology investments. A core responsibility for this role is delivering data-informed insights that support decision-making to enhance how students, faculty, and staff engage with technology across the university. This is a unique opportunity to lead digital transformation—advancing a mission-driven institution and making a lasting impact on its future.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
Significant experience in strategic planning and execution of strategic initiatives, business processes, information technology and executive leadership
Demonstrated ability to assess opportunities, risks, and organizational implications of emerging technologies, including AI, and guide responsible implementation
Experience successfully leading digital transformation, including AI enabled technologies and the ability to effectively utilize emerging technologies to enhance decision-making, operational effectiveness, communication, and service delivery
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Strong analytical problem-solving abilities
Proven record of innovation and awareness of emerging higher‑education technology trends
Demonstrated success collaborating across multiple business units
Demonstrated skills in the identification of process improvement targets and the application of technology to optimize processes

Responsibilities

Shape and execute a comprehensive digital strategy, partnering closely with academic, student, and administrative leaders to advance the university’s mission.
Guide major enterprise technology investments.
Champion modernization and analytics initiatives.
Bring forward emerging technologies, including AI-enabled solutions, to elevate academic excellence and operational performance.
Lead the university’s cybersecurity governance and data-risk strategy, ensuring strong protection of institutional assets while enabling digital transformation and compliance.
Cultivate a high-performing, service-driven IT team.
Lead process improvements that streamline operations.
Shape strategic vendor partnerships that accelerate innovation and optimize technology investments.
Deliver data-informed insights that support decision-making to enhance how students, faculty, and staff engage with technology across the university.