Top Division Information Technology Executive jobs in Gastonia, NC

Location: Hickory, North Carolina

The Director of Information Technology will provide technology vision and operational leadership in the development, implementation and management of Lenoir-Ryne University's information technology resources to support academic quality, program growth, student success and administrative systems. The Director of Information Technology will provide exceptional communication capabilities, including clear and transparent information to other executives regarding costs, value and risk of current technologies and new IT projects.

The Director of Information Technology will establish oversight and direction for the instructional technology landscape, including classrooms and computerized labs and inform faculty and administration about trends and innovations in academic and student services’ technologies, investigate and respond to academic, student services and administrative technological needs, and identify business process improvement opportunities when possible. The Director of Information Technology maintains a cross-university focus regarding learning and academic technology needs, such as how they may relate to course delivery options and classroom technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and overall management for the University’s information technology strategic plans, budgets, policies, programs and schedules for business and finance processes, computer services, data integrity and security, network communications and management information services to accomplish the university’s goals and objectives.
• Provide exceptional communication capabilities, including clear and transparent information regarding costs, value and risk of current technologies and new IT projects.
• Partner with stakeholders to develop strategic and tactical solutions to meet the needs of the university and its faculty, staff and students.
• Provide leadership in evaluating moving technology resources to cloud vendor environment and, if appropriate, managing the transition to the cloud.
• Provide direction and oversight of Information Technology staff, operations, projects and issues resolution to meet department and university goals, objectives and needs.
• Provide advice and coordination of all projects related to selection, acquisition, development and installation of major information systems, ensuring appropriate investment in strategic and operational systems, and evaluate systems to measure their success.
• Develop and manage the annual technology operating and capital budgets for academic, administrative and infrastructure technology.
• Review all hardware and software acquisition and maintenance contracts, soliciting involvement and participation of other management, faculty, students and staff members, as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the campus community on the development of policies and standards aimed at maximizing effectiveness and minimizing costs related to the acquisition, implementation and operation of IT systems.
• Provide oversight for the university’s relationship, interactions and formal agreements with outsourced and hosted services providers.
• Develop master purchase or lease agreements for hardware, software, maintenance and telecommunication services.
• Maintain contact with technology consultants and suppliers and maintain knowledge of current technology, equipment, prices and terms of agreements to minimize the investment required to meet established service levels.
• Evaluate alternative technology solutions, perform appropriate cost benefit analysis and recommend solutions that maximize effectiveness and minimize costs commensurate with acceptable risks.
• Serve as the primary contact for technology consultants, partners and vendors for sales, service and support of all information systems and technology.
• Develop a University IT Security Strategy and plan to minimize the university’s risk from security attacks. This includes ongoing security assessment, hiring/contracting CISO support and implementing and testing incident handling processes.
• Oversee operating policies and processes for the end-user support services and help desk operations, including provision of training.
• Evaluate existing technology, information systems and staffing, research new solutions and technologies and recommend changes based on analysis of their impact to all user requirements in support of the university’s goals and objectives.
• Oversee development and enforcement of policy and procedures to ensure the protection of IT assets and the integrity, security and privacy of information entrusted to or maintained by the university.
• Support the analysis of and, if needed, the replacement of key administrative systems, when appropriate.
• Ensure that all information systems and networks operate according to internal standards, external accrediting agency standards, regulatory agencies and legal requirements.
• Work with the VPBF and other university leadership to maintain a robust and comprehensive IT Governance structure to ensure that the gathering, processing, distribution and use of pertinent information as required to make decisions occurs in a timely, accurate and cost-effective manner.
• Oversee maintenance of a system recovery plan in the event of power failure, damage to system, etc. Direct and facilitate correction of any system failures and including root cause analysis.
• Assure proper and appropriate staff development and training to match technology needs of the university and to build a culture of service within IT.
• Perform other duties as assigned by VPBF and other university executives

Education and Qualifications

• Preferred bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field and a minimum of seven years of experience with increasing responsibilities for management and support of information systems and information technology;
  OR
• Requisite job experience and certifications to replace bachelor’s degree, including a minimum of 15 years of total working experience in the information technology industry.

Required Experiences

• Direct management of a major IT operation.
• Experience in strategic planning and execution.
• Experience in a higher education setting, specifically in information technology systems planning to support business goals including exposure to both shared and outsourced solutions, as well as support of in-house information and communication systems, student recruitment and retention, learning technologies and direct IT support services for students, faculty and staff on three campuses and online.

Knowledge of

• Business principles and techniques of administration, organization and management to include an in-depth understanding of the key business issues that exist in the education industry. These include, but are not limited to, knowledge of strategic and operational planning, federal, state and local laws.
• Information technology methods, procedures, business processes and their interrelationship in a higher education environment.
• Systems design and development process, including requirements analysis, feasibility studies, software design, programming, pilot testing, installation, evaluation and operational management.
• Business process analysis and redesign as it relates to instructional and administrative technology and telecommunication.
• Design, management and operation of IT systems in a higher education environment.
• Learning Management Systems (LMS) and support services.
• Change management principles and practices.
• Desktop, notebook, handheld and server computer hardware.
• Local and wide area network design, implementation, and operation.
• Operating systems such as Windows and Linux.
• Various office productivity software programs such as word processing, databases, spreadsheet programs, and communications software.
• Various computer peripherals such as printers, monitors, modems and other equipment.

Ability to

• Work with a diverse campus community, help build a welcoming and inclusive environment, and provide services in an equitable manner.
• Build and maintain cooperative relationships with all levels of the University community.
• Plan, implement and support systems in a complex education environment.
• Plan, manage and prioritize projects and other related activities.
• Manage and lead staff, projects and teams.
• Comprehend complex, technical subjects.
• Translate technical language to various audiences.
• Align and apply complex technologies to business strategies.
• Prepare and manage department budget.
• Negotiate with vendors, contractors and others.
• Manage the technological interdependencies between the institution and instruction, student services and support functions.
• Motivate, educate and facilitate teams to produce quality materials within tight timeframes and simultaneously manage several projects.
• Analyze and resolve complex issues, both logical and interpersonal.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Negotiate and defuse conflict.
• Demonstrate flexibility and creativity in accomplishing work and resolving issues.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references to Jeremy Shreve (Vice President for Business and Finance) at jeremy.shreve@lr.edu by April 30, 2024.

Division: Business and Finance
Reports to: Vice President for Business and Finance (VPBF)

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy

Lenoir-Rhyne University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, political affiliation, age, marital status, sex, gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, disability status, genetics, pregnancy or veteran status.

Lenoir-Rhyne’s Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy extends to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, reassignment, demotion, discipline, discharge, performance evaluations, compensation and benefits as well as the education setting. Lenoir-Rhyne is committed to providing an environment that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for faculty, staff, students, contractors, volunteers and visitors. Lenoir-Rhyne University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

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