Director of SUNY IT Optimization and Engagement

Across a wide range of roles, from finance and legal counsel to student support, academic affairs, IT, admissions, and more, our employees work toward advancing the four priority pillars established by SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees: student success; research and scholarship; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and economic development and upward mobility. SUNY System Administration is a mission-driven workplace with robust New York State benefits including health insurance, retirement, time off, and paid family leave.

The Director of SUNY Information Technology Optimization and Engagement provides leadership for projects and portfolio management across the SUNY Office of Information Technology under the direction of the Chief Information Officer (CIO). The Director leads and supports a project management office responsible for establishing consistent project management policies and practices, coordinating work across the OIT portfolio, and providing leadership with clear information about project status, costs, schedules, risks, dependencies, resource needs, and expected outcomes.

The Director is responsible for ensuring IT projects are aligned with SUNY’s strategic goals and portfolio management priorities driving alignment and engagement across 64 campuses and SUNY hospitals for campus and central administration technology operations. The Director also maintains a particular focus on SUNY’s Digital Transformation Projects (DTP), helping to coordinate these complex, systemwide initiatives and supporting the governance, stakeholder engagement, procurement, financial oversight, change management, and performance reporting necessary for their success., Lead and coordinate project and portfolio management activities across the Office of Information Technology, including the development and operation of an OIT project management office.

• Establish policies and maintain practical, consistent standards, templates, tools, and reporting practices for project intake, planning, execution, monitoring, change control, and closeout.
• Maintain a consolidated view of the OIT project portfolio, including project status, schedules, budgets, procurement activities, resource requirements, dependencies, risks, and anticipated outcomes.
• Provide regular portfolio reporting and analysis to the CIO and SUNY leadership to support project prioritization, resource allocation, investment decisions, and resolution of significant risks or barriers.
• Provide project management leadership and support for major OIT initiatives, with particular responsibility for coordinating and monitoring SUNY’s Digital Transformation Projects.
• Conduct analysis and quality assurance activities related to the ongoing support of SUNY’s Digital Transformation Project (DTP).
• Partner with DTP teams to help identify, analyze and prioritize work in support of the projects.
• Participate in the development of Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Invitation for Bids (IFBs), Requests for Quotes (RFQ’s), Requests for Information (RFI’s), Sole/Single Source Procurements, in support of DTP.
• Engage campuses and hospitals to ensure DTP project plans and strategies meet institutional and end-user needs.
• Serve as a liaison with 64 campuses, SUNY CIO, and other business units, as needed or requested.
• Perform other duties and special projects as required.

5+ years of leading large government teams or units.

• 3+ years in senior leadership managing cross-functional teams.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Analytical problem-solving abilities and data-driven decision-making expertise.
• Proven record of effective leadership and team collaboration.
• Ability to manage concurrent initiatives with clear deliverables and timelines.
• Excellent presentation and reporting skills for executive stakeholders.
• Must be flexible and adapt to the changing priorities and requests.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Eight (8) - ten (10) years experience in managing large-scale, complex digital transformation or modernization initiatives.

Salary is dependent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, training, and certifications. The range for this position is $160,000-$190,000 annually.

• The posted salary range reflects the minimum and maximum target for this position. Individual starting salaries are determined based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. While the full range is provided for transparency, starting salaries generally fall near the entry to midpoint of the range. Salaries at or near the top of the range are rare and reserved for candidates who exceptionally exceed all posted requirements.
• Excellent Benefit Package which includes: NYS health insurance, free dental and vision coverage, competitive retirement options, tuition assistance, parental leave at full pay, and generous vacation, sick, and holiday time. 13 days of paid holidays per year; 21 days of vacation, and 21 days of sick time accrued each year. Please see our MC benefits summary for additional information: https://www.suny.edu/benefits/benefit-summaries/
• Management/Confidential appointments work under the leadership and discretion of the appointing authority and are not represented by a union.
• This position will be based in Albany, NY.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.

SUNY System Administration Benefits:

SUNY System Administration provides an outstanding and comprehensive benefits package to support you and your family through the many life changes you may experience while you work for SUNY. Our nationally recognized benefits include:

• Retirement: The choice between a fully funded pension plan and a self-driven defined contribution plan, along with two supplemental plans to increase your ability to save for retirement.
• Health Insurance: Several health insurance options at an affordable cost that provide full coverage without mandatory deductibles.
• Time Off: Paid time off with separate vacation and sick leave accruals up to 21 days a year for each category.
• Additional paid leave policy options for childbirth, adoption, elder care, and other family care situations.
• Explore our full benefits offerings here: www.suny.edu/benefits

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Name Human Resources

Duties Description The State University of New York, or SUNY, is the largest comprehensive system of public higher education in the United States, with 64 colleges and universities spanning the state from Long Island to the Adirondacks to Buffalo. SUNY System Administration employees, based in Albany and New York City, provide critical support for SUNY campuses, employees, and students to advance SUNY’s mission of providing high-quality, affordable higher education for all.