Chief Information Officer (CIO) - Fairleigh Dickinson University

TITLE: Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Fairleigh Dickinson University

LOCATION: Office of Information Resources and Technology
Florham Campus, Madison, NJ; Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, NJ; and Vancouver B.C.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Under the direction of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President and Chief Information Officer (VPCIO) leads the university’s technology organization, fosters cross-functional collaboration and ensures that technology investments align with institutional priorities, academic needs, operational excellence, and student success. Through strategic and innovative leadership, the VPCIO shapes and executes the university’s technology strategy. This role is pivotal in advancing the University’s mission including initiatives such as FDU HealthPath Forward.

The VPCIO is also responsible for the planning, administration (personnel and budget), supervision, and direction of the University's academic and administrative information systems, telecommunications and network infrastructure and provides university-wide direction in the areas of policy and planning for information processing and related functions.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

Strategic Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

1. Develops and implements a forward-looking IT strategy aligned with the university’s strategic plan and academic mission.
2. Champions innovation to enhance delivery of technology and enable institutional goals.
3. Serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on emerging technologies and digital trends as they align to priorities.
4. Builds strong partnerships with leaders across the entire university. Prioritizes communication and relationships with leadership, faculty and students to better enable strategic initiatives, academic innovation and research, and user-centered services.
5. Represents the university in external collaborations, consortia, and industry partnerships.
6. Uses evidence and data in decision-making processes.

Technology Management, Innovation and Transformation

1. Fosters a culture of innovation, customer service and continuous improvement within IT and working collaboratively with stakeholders.
2. Oversees enterprise systems, data governance, infrastructure and other digital modernizations. Leads integration of enterprise platforms and systems.
3. Ensures high availability, reliability, and performance of all IT services.
4. Proactively assess emerging technologies such as AI and data analytics, aligning recommendations with how anticipated outcomes contribute to the university’s priorities.
5. Embrace change management best practices to engage end-users and impact success when modernizing or implementing change to legacy systems and culture.
6. Establish robust compliance and security protocols, inclusive of HIPAA, FERPA and other regulatory frameworks and risk management practices.

Budgeting and Resource Management

1. Leads and mentors a high-performing team with diverse skills and perspectives.
2. Establishes Information Resources policies, standards, practices, and security measures to assure effective and consistent information resource operations, the integrity and security of institutional databases, and to safeguard the University's information resources.
3. Manages relationships, procurement and contracts with vendors to ensure high quality and cost-effective outcomes.
4. Develops and maintains the IT budget, ensuring strategic allocation of resources. Administers and controls the compensation and operational budget of those departments which comprise the Office of Information Resources and Technology within budgetary guidelines articulated by the University's Chief Financial Officer to contribute to the cost-effective operation of the University.
5. Represents technology investments in terms of institutional value, such as impact on enrollment or student success.
6. Identifies funding opportunities and partnerships to support innovation initiatives.
7. Performs other special assignments as directed by the President.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor’s degree required in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
2. Minimum 10 years of progressive IT leadership and direct supervisory experience of key roles, including key roles in strategic initiatives as well as operational priorities and governance.
3. Experience in budget preparation and fiscal management. Ability to manage processing costs, scheduling, and supervision of multiple task production in a complex organization.
4. Substantial knowledge and experience in the areas of Higher Education Management, Management Information Systems, data communications and networking.
5. Proven success working in dynamic environments and adjusting to shifting goals and opportunities.
6. Demonstrated success in using evidence-informed and data-driven approaches to decision-making.
7. Familiarity or experience in healthcare, integrated health systems or related health sciences is desirable, but not required.
8. Knowledge of computer equipment, software and network components, and personnel capabilities.
9. Valid driver’s license and accessibility to transportation for travel between campuses.
10. Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background check. Candidates for hire will be required to sign a waiver authorizing the background check and produce a Social Security Card.