Executive Director, Technology Services

General Summary

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.

Essential Job Functions

• Technology, Digital & AI Strategy and Leadership
  • 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.
• Systems Integration & Enterprise Architecture
  • 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.
• Infrastructure, Cloud & Network Operations
  • 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.
• Cybersecurity & Information-Risk Governance
  • 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.
• AI Infrastructure, Data & Responsible Innovation
  • 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.
• IT Service Delivery & Client Experience
  • 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.
• Leadership, Talent & Organizational Development
  • 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.

Education

• 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 • Preferred: Master’s Degree in related field

Experience

• Required: 7-9 years of progressively responsible IT leadership experience, including direct supervision of technical managers teams • 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

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

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; and deep commitment to customer service, digital accessibility, and institutional sustainability

To Apply

To ensure full consideration submit: • A letter of introduction outlining background and qualifications for the position • Detailed resume • Contact information for three professional references

Benefits

PNWU offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees first of the month following date of hire and competitive salary. Benefit Package (benefit eligible is at least .5 FTE): - Health Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance - Paid Time Off - 403b with Roth Option - Paid Holidays