Executive Director of Information Technologies

Koitecc Solutions; Traverse City (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Michigan College seeks an Executive Director for Information Technologies to serve as CIO, directing technology strategy, operations, and governance across the College. You will lead initiatives in AI, data governance, cybersecurity, ERP, cloud migrations, and campus learning technologies.

Responsibilities include budgeting, vendor management, policy compliance, and strategic planning to advance student success and institutional operations.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in IT or a related field is required.
• 10+ years of related IT leadership experience is required.
• 7–10 years of higher education administration and supervision preferred.
• Familiarity with FERPA, HIPAA, GLBA, and GDPR regulatory standards.
• At least 5+ years managing budgets and IT financial planning.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in strategic and operational IT planning.
• Ability to lead IT projects aligned with institutional mission and policies.
• Proven capability in technology risk management and vendor governance.
• Experience with AI-related initiatives and data-driven decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead efforts to provide educational technologies and data reporting across the college.
• Drive AI, systems, automation, and data alignment priorities.
• Serve on governance councils and committees as needed.
• Manage IT budgets, vendors, contracts, and organizational processes.
• Act as the college’s CIO and liaison to external organizations.
• Oversee IT risk management, incident response, and continuity.
• Promote professional development to stay current in IT.
• Provide strategic direction for technology supporting student success and operations.
• Oversee administrative technologies (Banner, 25Live, Canvas, Starfish, Google Suite).
• Oversee learning technologies (Canvas, classrooms, labs, media gear).
• Maintain network, servers, and telecom infrastructure for reliability and security.
• Coordinate training and support through the NMC Technology Help Desk.
• Ensure data integrity and transparency for planning and decision-making.
• Lead IT project planning and implementation aligned with policy.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of the College’s strategic plan.
• Manage Technology Infrastructure Plant Fund for sustainable funding.
• Monitor emerging technologies and advise on higher-ed applications.

Skills

Strategic IT leadership

Budget management

Vendor/contract management

Data governance

Cybersecurity oversight

AI governance leadership

Policy compliance

ERP systems knowledge

Cloud/SaaS migration

Project management

Education

Master's degree in IT or related field

Equivalent experience considered

Tools

Banner

25Live

Canvas

Starfish

Mitel Revolution

Google Suite

Job description

The Executive Director for Information Technologies serves as the College’s chief information officer and is responsible for the delivery and support of innovative, efficient, and effective technologies, information services, and resources for the College. The position will coordinate technology leadership that connects strategy, systems, and operations for the entire College. The position provides leadership and direction in the following areas: strategic planning for technology investments and operations, policy and compliance activities related to the use of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education, chief AI lead, cybersecurity and data governance, budgeting and prioritization of information technology (IT) initiatives, IT vendor and contract management, ERP systems, cloud and SaaS migration, academic technologies, networking and telecommunications, and the technology help desk. This position reports to the Vice President for Finance and Administration and serves on the President’s Council.

Essential Responsibilities

• (Critical) Lead collaborative efforts to provide appropriate educational technologies and ensure consistent and cohesive data reporting across the college. Connect existing efforts, reduce silos, and provide clarity and direction to all areas of the College to ensure our technologies are interconnected.
• (Critical) Ensure priorities involving AI, systems, automation, and data alignment move forward in a coordinated manner.
• (Critical) Serve on the President’s Council and NMC governance councils and committees as needed.
• (Critical) Manage the human resources, budgets, vendors, contracts, and other organizational processes as they relate to information technology. Responsibilities include evaluation of direct reports through the staff evaluation process, evaluation of IT vendors and contracts, management of the college’s IT-related budgets and resources, and continuous improvement of the College’s IT systems and infrastructure.
• (Critical) Serve as the college’s chief information officer and primary liaison for relevant representation on state, national and international organizations and affinity groups.
• (Critical) Lead the College’s technology risk management strategy, including IT incident preparedness, response, recovery, and continuity efforts. This includes oversight of the College’s third-party risk management (TPRM) program in effort to identify, evaluate, mitigate, and monitor risks from external vendors, suppliers, and partners under an appropriate framework.
• (Critical) Engage in professional development opportunities in order to stay current in the field of information technology in higher education.
• (Critical) Provides a forward-looking direction on how technology supports student success and operations.
• (Critical) Management and improvement of administrative technologies to support the institutional operations of the College in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Administrative technologies include systems such as Banner, 25Live, Canvas, Starfish, Mitel Revolution, and Google Suite.
• (Critical) Collaborate on the management and improvement of learning technologies to support teaching and learning in a cost effective and efficient manner. Learning technologies include Canvas, classroom computers and projectors, computer classrooms and labs, video distribution, and media equipment.
• (Critical) Management and continuous improvement of the desktop computing, network, server, and telecommunications infrastructure of the College to provide a reliable, stable, and secure environment so employees, students, and the general public can access and use the systems they need. The infrastructure includes the telephone system, wireless networking, Novell network, and internet services.
• (Critical) Coordinate training and support services for students and employees so all end users have the technological tools and resources needed to succeed. This includes oversight of the NMC Technology Help Desk and coordinating training and resources for all College software systems and applications.
• (Critical) Ensure data integrity, alignment, and transparency to support r strategic planning, assessment, and decision-making.
• (Critical) Provide leadership in planning, organization, and implementation of IT projects and initiatives in accordance with NMC’s mission, vision, and values, and in accordance with NMC’s Board and Staff policies.
• (Critical) Provide leadership in the development, deployment, and evaluation of the College’s strategic plan.
• (Critical) Manage the Technology Infrastructure Plant Fund to ensure sustainable funding for the replacement of technology hardware to support the College’s programs and activities.
• (Critical) Monitor emerging technologies and new trends and applications of technology in higher education and recommend actions based on this information.

Work Environment

Lifting Activities

Most frequently lifted object: under 10 lbs. lifted to waist level; carried 1-9 feet (Several times per day)

Heaviest object lifted: 10-19 lbs. lifted waist level; carried 1-9 feet (Occasionally)

Master's degree- IT-related field or equivalent (Required)

10+ years of related experience (Required)

7-10 years of experience in higher education administration and supervision (Preferred)

Working knowledge of regulatory standards impacting the College including FERPA, HIPAA, GLBA, and GDPR (Required)

5+ years of experience managing a budget and conducting business planning for fiscal sustainability (Required)

Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving experience; proven ability to plan, prioritize, and execute complex, interdepartmental projects (Required)

Proven experience in strategic and operational planning (Required)