Virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO)

The Virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO) will lead the IT department, direct the contracted Security and Help Desk providers, and own the technology strategy. The vCIO will be a “senior technology leader rather than solely an occasional advisor.”

The role may be filled on a fractional basis. Fractional describes the hours, not the authority: during the engagement, the vCIO holds the full leadership responsibilities of a CIO, works alongside client leadership, and is accountable for IT outcomes.

Title Virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO)

Department Information Technology

Reports to Vice President for Administrative Services

Engagement Contracted, part-time

Direct reports (internal IT staff, 7 positions):

• 2 PC technicians
• 2 application support staff
• 2 systems/network administrators
• 1 vacant position, to be scoped and filled with the vCIO’s input

Contracted providers overseen: the Security provider and the Help Desk provider. The vCIO directs and holds these providers accountable.

Division of labor: IT staff continue to perform the operational and technical work. The vCIO provides leadership, coordination, prioritization and oversight.

Limits of authority: the vCIO leads technology strategy, budgeting, procurement, vendor management, cybersecurity governance, projects and policy. Final spending, contracting and institutional decisions follow College policy and approval processes.

Key responsibilities

Department leadership

• Lead, supervise and develop the internal IT team; set priorities, assign work and conduct performance management within client HR processes.
• Define the IT organizational structure and operating model, and recommend staffing changes, including the scope of the vacant position.
• Direct the contracted Security and Help Desk providers: set expectations, monitor service levels, resolve escalations and coordinate their work with internal staff.

Strategy and governance

• Develop and maintain a technology strategy aligned with the client’s goals and strategic plan.
• Establish IT governance: decision rights, project intake and prioritization, and stakeholder input from business units.
• Draft, update and enforce IT policies and standards.
• Lead digital transformation initiatives that improve client staff experience.

Assessment and planning

• Assess current infrastructure, systems and IT operations, and identify gaps, risks and opportunities.
• Make organizational and operational recommendations to improve service, efficiency and resilience.

Financial and vendor management

• Develop the IT budget and recommend resource allocation.
• Lead technology procurement, from requirements through evaluation, following client purchasing policy.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts and renewals, and monitor performance against agreements.

Projects

• Oversee major technology projects: scope, schedule, budget, risk and stakeholder communication.
• Report project status and escalate issues to leadership.

Risk, security and continuity

• Own cybersecurity governance, working with the contracted Security provider on controls, monitoring and incident response.
• Lead IT risk management, disaster recovery and business continuity planning and testing.
• Support compliance with applicable requirements, such as FERPA and GLBA.

Executive reporting

• Brief the Vice President for Administrative Services and leadership regularly on IT performance, risks, projects and budget.
• Serve as the client’s technology voice in cabinet-level and Board-facing discussions as requested.

Required deliverables

The vCIO produces five deliverables. Timing is set with the client during Discovery.

Technology strategic plan: Multi-year direction for technology, aligned with institutional goals.

Annual roadmap: Prioritized initiatives and projects for the year, with sequencing and resource needs.

Governance recommendations: Decision rights, policy framework, project intake and prioritization process.

Project oversight reports: Status, budget, risk and issues on major technology projects.

Budget and resource planning recommendations: IT budget proposal, staffing and resource allocation.

Time commitment and location

This scope would be part-time 45-60 hours/month.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, business or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 10+ years of progressive IT experience, including 5+ years leading IT teams and managing budgets
• Experience managing outsourced or managed service providers against contracts and service levels
• Working knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks (such as NIST CSF or CIS Controls), risk management and incident response
• Track record of developing and executing technology strategic plans and roadmaps
• Strong communication skills with executives, faculty, staff and Boards

Preferred

• Higher education IT leadership experience, ideally at a community college
• Experience with Ellucian Colleague and related higher-ed systems
• Familiarity with FERPA, GLBA and other higher-ed compliance requirements
• Public-sector procurement experience
• Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CGEIT, ITIL or PMP

**While the position is Remote Eligible, you must live in a state where Istonish, Inc. has a registered entity: AZ, CO, FL, IL, KS, KY, MI, NC, OK, TN, TX, UT, WI.