Chief Information Officer (CIO)

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) provides strategic and technical leadership for all information technology and research computing operations at the New Mexico Consortium (NMC). This role oversees enterprise IT systems, cybersecurity, networking, storage, user support, and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure supporting scientific research and organizational operations.

NMC operates a small but highly technical IT environment. The CIO must be both a strategic leader and a hands-on technical resource with strong Linux systems administration and HPC infrastructure experience. The CIO is responsible for ensuring reliable, secure, scalable, and cost-effective technology services aligned with NMC’s mission and research objectives.

The CIO works closely with executive leadership to develop IT strategy, manage budgets, oversee IT staff, evaluate technology investments, and support current and future research computing needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Develop and implement IT and research computing strategy, policies, and operational plans.

Oversee day-to-day IT operations, including systems administration, networking, storage, cybersecurity, user support, and telecommunications.

Lead the design, deployment, and operation of Linux-based research computing and HPC infrastructure.

Ensure the security, integrity, availability, and backup of organizational data and systems.

Manage enterprise infrastructure including servers, storage systems, virtualization platforms, networking, and remote access technologies.

Evaluate and implement new technologies to support scientific computing and organizational operations.

Develop and maintain disaster recovery and cybersecurity policies and procedures.

Manage IT budgets, vendor relationships, technology procurement, and service contracts.

Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate IT personnel.

Advise executive leadership on technology strategy, infrastructure planning, and operational risks.

Participate in organizational planning and policy development.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Strong technical expertise with Linux systems administration and enterprise infrastructure.

Experience supporting HPC or research computing environments.

Knowledge of networking, cybersecurity, virtualization, storage systems, and backup technologies.

Ability to lead both strategic initiatives and hands-on technical operations.

Strong communication, organizational, and project management skills.

Ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic research environment.

Required Qualifications

Master’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field preferred. Equivalent experience may be considered.

Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible IT leadership experience.

Significant experience with Linux systems administration required.

Experience managing HPC, scientific computing, or research computing infrastructure strongly preferred.

Experience with cybersecurity and IT operations in research, academic, nonprofit, or government environments preferred.

Preferred experience includes: HPC cluster administration

Enterprise networking and storage systems

Virtualization and cloud technologies

Systems automation and monitoring tools

Multi-site or distributed computing environments

Physical and Attendance Requirements

Full-time position, generally 40 hours per week.

Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

Ability to lift computer hardware up to 50 pounds may be required., The CIO is expected to represent NMC professionally and ethically while providing effective technical leadership and operational oversight. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, sound judgment, budget management skills, and the ability to support a collaborative and service-oriented IT environment in support of NMC’s research mission.

$150,000 - $200,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.