FT Associate Vice President/Chief Technology Officer

Cochise College; Douglas (AZ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Cochise College is seeking an Associate Vice President/Chief Technology Officer to provide strategic leadership of technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data management across campuses in Southern Arizona. The AVP/CTO will guide digital transformation initiatives, budget planning, and vendor management.

The role requires strong governance, collaboration with executive leadership, and the ability to align technology with institutional goals while ensuring regulatory compliance and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Eight years of experience managing technology resources and staff, preferably in higher education.
• Experience with technology services related compliance, including FERPA, GLBA, and PCI-DSS.

Responsibilities

• Develops and administers a comprehensive technology plan to support the college’s mission and goals.
• Leads the Office of Technology Services (OTS) team, including mentorship and evaluation of staff.
• Oversees the college’s technology budget and review of contracts, estimates, and project feasibility.
• Oversees privacy, access and security, and the college’s cybersecurity strategy and disaster recovery planning.
• Represents the college at state and regional meetings and participates in committees.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cybersecurity oversight

Technology governance

Budget oversight

Stakeholder communication

ERP systems

Change management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related discipline

Master’s degree preferred

Eight years experience managing technology resources

Tools

Microsoft 365

Dynamics

Azure

Job description

Position Summary

The Associate Vice President/Chief Technology Officer (AVPCTO) serves as a member of the President’s Administrative Cabinet, providing strategic leadership, planning, and oversight for the college's technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, data management, and services that champion digital transformation initiatives to enhance organizational performance and user experiences.

Essential Functions

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.

Note

Note: This job posting is open until filled. Priority given to applications received by October 30, 2026.

Cochise College requires a post-offer, pre-employment background screening of all employees.

Cochise College serves the residents of Cochise County from two campuses and four centers throughout Southern Arizona with panoramic views of five different mountain ranges. The college has been recognized nationally for its cost, return on investment, and high success rate; providing over 90 general and technical education programs leading to a variety of workforce certificates and associate degrees. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and administers a comprehensive technology plan that supports the mission and goals of the college and leads the college’s efforts to proactively move technology systems forward to support success in the areas of systems development, network architecture and services, administrative computing, telecommunications, cybersecurity functions, and user support


• Leads the Office of Technology Services (OTS) team, including selection, mentorship, training and development, and evaluation of direct reports and oversight of departmental components of OTS, which includes Information Security, User Support Services, Network and Infrastructure, and Administrative Computing


• Provides oversight and input into the development of the district’s technology budget; conducts review of technology solutions contracts in collaboration with supervisor and procurement services; completes analysis of project estimates, feasibility, costs, project times, and compatibility of current and future state systems, including servers, printers, and software applications


• Provides oversight of the college’s adoption of emerging technologies, including automation and artificial intelligence, ensuring alignment with college goals and ethical standards


• Provides oversight of privacy, access, and security as well as ensures legal compliance with all federal and state rules and regulations; oversees the college’s cybersecurity strategy, risk management, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning


• Promotes a culture of quality customer service, collaboration, and accountability


• Demonstrates professionalism and a quality customer service environment that values positive working relationships, confidentiality, positive communication, accurate records, and an organized and safe working and learning environment; contributes to department success by performing hands on support to departments as needed


• Represents the college at state and regional meetings and serves on committees and task forces as assigned


• Performs other related duties as assigned

General Expectations

Employees are expected to accomplish assigned duties in an efficient, effective and competent manner and to strive for improvement and excellence in all work performed. Additionally, employees must understand the comprehensive role of the community college and cooperate and work harmoniously with students, faculty and staff, and the public. Employees will follow all college policies, rules, regulations and guidelines as they relate to this position.

Education and Experience; Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Education and Experience; Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with major in related discipline from an institution accredited by an institutional accrediting body of higher learning recognized by the US Department of Education, master’s degree preferred


• Eight years’ experience managing technology resources, staff, and functions, preferably in a higher education environment

Additional education and experience requirements

• Experience with technology services related compliance and regulations, including FERPA, GLBA, and PCI-DSS


• Significant experience in leading change and managing transitions


• Progressively responsible experience with systems/technology management within a large, complex organization is required


• Strategic planning, system design, and implementation experience in the application of information and communications technologies to effectively achieve strategic plans and goals

Preferred qualifications

• Prior experience with Microsoft 365, Dynamics, and Azure environments

An equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong commitment to the community college mission


• High level of personal integrity and professionalism


• Working knowledge in leading a technology organization


• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills


• Ability to effectively communicate technical strategies to senior administration and actively participate in business strategy development is an essential requirement


• Demonstrated experience in the design, development and implementation of integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions that support academic and administrative operations


• Demonstrated collaboration skills in working across multiple business units


• Ability to manage large-scale application selection and implementation of projects


• Demonstrated skills in the identification of business process improvements targets and the application of technology to optimize business processes


• Ability to inspire values, vision and strategy


• Ability in hiring, developing, and retaining capable, adaptable and skilled staff


• Ability to foster a culture of communication, collaboration, consultation and commitment


• Ability to nurture creativity through experimentation, imagination and innovation


• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, and to relate to others in a professional, helpful manner


• Ability to relate to a diverse population and to maintain composure when faced with difficult situations


• Ability to work independently while contributing to team environment


• Ability to effectively identify and resolve problems and to maintain strict confidentiality related to sensitive information


• Ability to analyze problems, identify solutions, and take appropriate action to resolve problems using independent judgment and decision-making processes

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Work is primarily performed under general supervision. Incumbent generally performs work in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Travel is required. Occasionally early morning, evening, and/or weekend work may be required. May be required to be available for after-hours emergency response to ensure continuity of services in support of the college’s mission, students and staff.

As a senior manager of the college, the incumbent is required to live within Cochise County, preferably within 30 minutes from one of the campuses.

Physical Requirements

Essential functions of this position require lifting, manual dexterity, and ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body; involves sitting majority of time; walking and standing are required on occasion, and all other sedentary criteria are met

Mental Application: Utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, critical thinking, adaptability and creative problem-solving skills are important

Reports To

Executive Vice President for Administration