Chief Information Officer

About the Role

SUNY Niagara seeks an accomplished, visionary, and collaborative Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead the College's technology transformation and position information technology as a strategic driver of institutional excellence. This is an exceptional opportunity for a dynamic technology executive who thrives on building high-performing teams, modernizing IT operations, strengthening cybersecurity, and delivering exceptional customer service.

The CIO will play a critical leadership role in advancing the College's mission by developing innovative technology solutions that support student success, academic excellence, and operational effectiveness. As the College's senior technology executive, the CIO will provide strategic leadership for all aspects of enterprise technology while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Reporting to the Vice President of Administration, the Chief Information Officer is responsible for the strategic vision, leadership, planning, administration, and continuous improvement of the Office of Information Technology Services (OITS). The CIO oversees all institutional technology operations, including enterprise applications, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, infrastructure, networking, telecommunications, technical support, instructional technology, data governance, and digital innovation. The CIO serves as the College's principal advisor on technology matters and works collaboratively with campus leadership, faculty, staff, and external partners to develop technology solutions that improve operational efficiency, enhance the student experience, support teaching and learning, and protect institutional information assets.

The successful candidate will lead the modernization of the College's technology environment by developing a comprehensive technology roadmap, implementing industry best practices, strengthening governance and cybersecurity, and ensuring technology investments support the College's long-term strategic objectives. The CIO will maximize compliance with GLBA and SOC/SIEM.

Responsibilities

• Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for all information technology services and operations.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates the College's multi-year Information Technology Strategic Plan and Digital Transformation Roadmap.
• Provides executive oversight of cybersecurity governance, risk management, security awareness, incident response, disaster recovery, business continuity, identity and access management, vulnerability management, and compliance with applicable security standards including GLBA, FERPA, ADA accessibility requirements, and SUNY and New York State information security policies.
• Establishes and promotes institutional data governance and data security practices.
• Evaluates and oversees the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation, and cloud computing.
• Directs enterprise technology projects and establishes project management standards.
• Supervises all OITS staff and provides leadership, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Develops and administers departmental operating and capital budgets and long-range technology replacement plans.
• Negotiates, manages, and evaluates technology vendor contracts and service agreements.
• Collaborates with academic and administrative leadership to identify technology needs and improve institutional effectiveness.
• Serves as Co-Chair of the Information Technology Steering Committee and participates on college committees.
• Represents the College with SUNY, governmental agencies, and external technology organizations.
• Develops and maintains institutional technology policies, standards, and procedures.
• Maintains awareness of current and emerging technologies and industry best practices.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Essential Functions

• Ability to lead organizational change; communicate complex technical information to non-technical audiences; supervise multiple operational areas; develop strategic technology plans; manage multiple large-scale initiatives; respond to technology emergencies outside normal business hours when necessary; effectively represent the College with SUNY and external partners; and foster an inclusive, collaborative environment.
• Ability to relate to a diverse academic community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred or ability to obtain within five (5) years.
• Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible information technology leadership experience, including at least five (5) years supervising professional technology staff.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, budgeting, vendor management, and technology project leadership.

Desirable Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Higher education IT leadership experience.
• Experience with Banner/Ellucian or comparable ERP systems; Microsoft 365, Azure/AWS cloud technologies, ITIL, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, AI governance.
• CISSP, CISM, PMP, or comparable certifications.

Benefits

At SUNY Niagara, we believe that our employees are our greatest asset. In addition to competitive compensation, we offer an outstanding benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance.

Work-Life Balance

• Generous paid time off, holiday, and leave policies.
• College closure for winter break from late December through early January and a week in mid-March for spring recess.
• Summer four-day workweek, allowing employees to enjoy valuable time to recharge and pursue personal interests.

Professional Growth & Development

• Commitment to supporting lifelong learning through professional development opportunities, workshops, conferences, and educational advancement.
• Encouragement for employees to expand their skills, pursue new opportunities, and grow throughout their careers.

About SUNY Niagara

SUNY Niagara is a thriving educational institution located between the picturesque landscapes of Niagara Falls and the vibrant city of Buffalo, NY. Our college serves a diverse student population and is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment. With a commitment to academic excellence and student success, SUNY Niagara offers a supportive and collaborative environment for both faculty and staff.

SUNY Niagara is an accredited institution of higher education that offers high-quality academic programs leading to degrees and certificates supported by outstanding student services. The top 4 majors of our students are Liberal Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. In 2023, SUNY Niagara ranked #1 in graduation rate among community colleges in New York State!

SUNY Niagara provides a variety of cultural, athletic, social, and international experiences, as well as community education, small business, and workforce development that supports economic development and positively impacts the quality of life of valued stakeholders. The college operates through a collegial model of shared governance and transparency and is accountable for meeting the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

SUNY Niagara has two locations in western New York consisting of 287 acres and 11 buildings. The Sanborn campus is minutes from Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and the Canadian border and is centrally located between the county's three main cities of Lockport, Niagara Falls, and North Tonawanda. The Sanborn campus offers a traditional college experience with world-class academics, knowledgeable faculty members, state-of-the-art classrooms, NJCAA athletics, and on-campus housing. Investments in facilities include the Learning Commons Center, which serves as the nucleus of the campus, and a modernized campus dining commons.