Job Description

Reporting to the president, the CIO is the lead executive responsible for information technology across the institution. The expectation is that the CIO will partner with the president and become fully integrated into the senior leadership team, demonstrating credibility and integrity and contributing to university efforts broadly as a subject matter expert in information technology. The CIO is responsible for the vision and long-term planning for information technology consistent with the mission and goals of the university and works with senior leaders, deans, faculty, and staff to maintain and grow a highly responsive and service-oriented IT environment. The CIO sets and implements the strategy to meet the university’s varied IT needs through principled and transparent prioritization, sound security and compliance practices, and effective collaboration.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Develop and execute the strategic direction for Enterprise Technology Services (ETS), UVM’s IT infrastructure and support division, including establishing and tracking short- and long-term objectives and setting IT vision and strategy for the university.
Strategize and oversee implementation for IT innovative change, including readiness for transitions of ERP and HCM systems, as part of a larger effort to modernize university operations and manage effective process improvement.

Serve as a key member of the university’s senior leadership team. Foster the development of information technology systems to support more nimble collection, dissemination, and use of data for strategic decision-making at all levels of the organization.

Provide superior system and end user (students, faculty, and staff) services across the university via an IT Shared Services model. Support UVM’s mission and ensure students feel engaged and connected to technology in a meaningful, transparent and student-friendly manner.

Recruit, mentor, motivate and retain a diverse and effective team of highly qualified IT leaders and staff; foster a supportive, equitable and inclusive workplace that offers career growth; assess the current structure and staff to identify gaps and/or areas of improvement; direct ETS in accordance with project priorities, budgetary objectives and human resources policies, establishing follow through on short- and long-term objectives for IT services.

Provide responsible financial stewardship over the annual operating and capital budget for IT that is consistent with university strategic priorities and established financial guidelines.

Provide vision and progressive leadership by exploring and assessing the feasibility of new and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) that will provide a technology-rich environment that meets the needs of today’s administrators, faculty, and students and sets the foundation for the future.

Assure collaborative and transparent IT Governance that prioritizes a simplified IT landscape and applies appropriate management systems and controls to ensure confidentiality, security, integrity and disaster recovery of university data, data systems and data services at all university sites.

Ensure information technology systems are accessible and comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations including FERPA, HIPAA, GDPR, PIPL, and Gramm-Leach-Bliley, and maintain a current disaster recovery plan for all major information technology systems.

Meet regularly with the Board of Trustees Audit Committee to report on information security, data privacy issues and to respond to internal audits regarding technology issues.

Oversee and guide all technology-related activities consisting of academic computing, research computing, and administrative services; infrastructure, data and information security, access and identity management, systems design administration and architecture, applications integrations, communications (voice and data networks) and network services.

Oversee external relations involving technology, such as vendor negotiations, and support partnerships with government, non-profits and other higher education institutions.

Serve on various standing and/or ad hoc committees and represent University of Vermont with external agencies.
Essential Leadership Skills and Competencies
An energetic and innovative leader who will develop and garner buy-in on an IT strategic plan and who will inspire and motivate university leadership, staff, faculty, and students to partner in attaining UVM’s technology objectives.

A strong communicator with proven written, verbal, presentation and listening skills; able to translate complex technical information to technical and non-technical audiences; demonstrated record of working across units with the ability to bring issues to resolution; diplomatic and emotionally intelligent; seeks and builds consensus.

A collaborator who can forge partnerships and build strong relationships.

A team builder and mentor who is a strong proponent of the university’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

A critical thinker with exceptional problem solving and decision-making skills; able to understand and analyze complex situations and effectively manage multiple competing priorities; is flexible and adaptable.
Required Education, Expertise, and Experience
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in computer science, information technology, business administration, or related field, strongly preferred.

Ten-plus years of experience in information technology, including management experience and experience planning and implementing technology initiatives, preferably in a university or other large, complex organization.

Experience in strategic planning, budget and management; demonstrated financial savvy and effective stewardship of resources.

Strong understanding of the cybersecurity threat landscape; regulatory and privacy as well as risk management experience.

Experience in large-scale project management, technology acquisition, and in negotiating with major vendors and suppliers (e.g., Ellucian, Brightspace, Oracle, Microsoft, Internet2, and telecom suppliers).

Strong technical background; stays current with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

About University of Vermont: For People and Planet
Chartered in 1791 as the fifth college in New England, University of Vermont (UVM) rapidly claimed a respected reputation among progressive thinkers and doers in the rugged, vibrant, and spectacular place that became the State of Vermont that same year. The university has evolved significantly and continuously for over 230 years to become a leading public research university, serving as the state’s flagship institution and Land Grant university.
The National Science Foundation ranks UVM among the top 100 public universities based on total research activity. UVM is also ranked by multiple sources among the “greenest universities,” “best places for LGBTQ students,” and “most bike-friendly campuses.” Enrollment is approximately 11,350 undergraduates, 1,750 graduate students, and 485 medical students. Recent years have attracted record-breaking applications in all categories and incoming classes hold the highest-ever academic credentials and come from the most diverse backgrounds.
Students, faculty, and staff share an unwavering commitment to securing a greener, healthier future for people and planet. Their commitment is visible in their academic pursuits, research activities, and in the extensive engagement with the citizens, businesses, and organizations of Vermont and beyond. Additionally, the university has committed to operating a net zero carbon campus by 2030 and is well on the way to meeting this goal through the use of clean electricity, sustainable practices, and the exploration of alternative energy sources for heating and cooling the campus.
In 2019, the UVM Board of Trustees adopted UVM’s current strategic plan, Amplifying Our Impact. The plan calls for three strategic imperatives to guide major decisions about the university’s future: ensuring student success, investing in research excellence, and engaging with Vermont. Connected directly to UVM’s mission as a Land Grant university, these imperatives provide a framework for determining resource allocation, organizational structure, and breadth of programs.
The university’s distinctive strengths in research include human and animal health, environmental sciences, energy, sustainability, food systems, hydrology, agriculture, advanced computing, and engineering. UVM attracts more than $250 million annually in extramural support for research, a figure that has doubled in just the last five years. Research plays a significant role in the educational experience of undergraduate, graduate, and medical students, many of whom conduct research and/or partner with members of the faculty on research projects.
UVM’s location in the Champlain Valley affords access to outdoor activities year-round, including Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains. Additionally, Burlington, Vermont has been recognized for decades among one of America’s best small cities, most livable cities, and safest cities. The campus is known for its strong sense of community, offering the breadth of opportunities of a research university at a scale that is personal and engaging for students, faculty, and staff.