Technology Advisor

Ball State University; Muncie (IN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation days

Sick days

Holidays

Parental leave

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement benefits

Employee tuition reimbursement

Family tuition support

Job summary

Ball State University is seeking a Technology Advisor to help coordinate technology procurement and vendor relations for campus initiatives. You will research, propose, and procure technology solutions aligned with university goals, and act as the day-to-day contact for IT vendors.

The role emphasizes collaboration with IT leadership, budget personnel, and campus partners to ensure timely delivery and compliant technology acquisitions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher by appointment date
• Equivalent combination of education/experience in Information Technology (two years)
• Two+ years in tech procurement, vendor relations, project management, or tech support
• Excellent written and oral communication and customer service skills
• Strong analytical and organizational abilities

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the annual College Technology Plans with Deans and staff; ensure standards and best prices
• Advise campus departments on technology to meet needs and stay updated on computer tech
• Collaborate with IT Helpdesk/Desktop Support on orders, scheduling, and installation timelines
• Coordinate with vendors on IT initiatives, engagements, pricing, and requirements; maintain vendor communications
• Organize vendor information, quotes, procurement timelines, and contract coordination with IT leadership
• Manage RFP/RFQ processes and ensure proper documentation and communication
• Provide timely updates to IT leadership via tickets, email, or meetings

Job description

Position Title

Technology Advisor

Compensation

$50,000 - $60,000

Department

Unified Technology Support_A

About this opportunity

Join Information Technology at Ball State University as a Technology Advisor. We are seeking an exceptional communicator and customer service professional with deep expertise in desktop and mobile computing technology. In this role, you will collaborate on campus projects and initiatives to research, propose, and procure technology solutions aligned with strategic university goals. You will also coordinate day-to-day vendor relationships and help guide the evolution of technology at Ball State. This is a great opportunity to help shape the future of technology provided by Ball State University.

What you'll do and what you'll bring

Position Function: Serve as an integral team member who assists with the coordination and procurement of technology for campus initiatives. Research and propose technology solutions to match the needs of campus partners and associated projects. Serve as the vendor relationship coordinator for Information Technology (IT) and act as the day-to-day point of contact for IT vendors. Collaborate with IT leadership, technical teams, campus partners, budget personnel, and external vendors on technology initiatives and projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Coordinate the overall annual College Technology Plans for all Academic colleges. This may include communicating directly with Deans, Associate Deans, and support staff; Ensure requested technology meets University standards and recommend alternatives as needed; Work with Technology vendors to assure correct and best-priced equipment.
2. Serve as a technology advisor in making recommendations to campus departments on the best technology to meet their needs. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of computer technology.
3. Work with Technology Helpdesk and Desktop Support units, collaborating on orders, scheduling, and installation timelines of new equipment for all campus partners. Communicate directly with partners to set and manage expectations on anticipated timelines.
4. Coordinate with technology vendors and suppliers in support of assigned IT initiatives, procurement activities, and projects. Serve as a point of contact for specific vendor engagements, product inquiries, implementations, and purchasing activities within the scope of assigned responsibilities. Facilitate consistent communication between vendors, IT subject matter experts, IT leadership, and campus stakeholders to support project timelines, deliverables, pricing, and technical requirements.
5. Contact technology vendors for product information, price quotes, availability of items, and order requirements or restrictions. Work with vendors and negotiate when possible to obtain the best overall pricing. Work with vendors to ensure IT Security has the needed Security documentation such as ISO 27001 and/or SOC type 2 reports. Establish and maintain relationships with external vendors to coordinate progress and elevate vendor issues as needed.
6. Work with IT leadership on all technology planning, allocations and budgets ensuring accurate allocations and yearly budgeted amounts are accurately maintained. Work with the vendors and coordinate any contracts with the IT leadership.
7. Collaborate and support IT leadership on projects and strategic initiatives, including the IT Software Review process and other projects as needed. Attend and facilitate meetings, and communicate objectives effectively to team members and partners.
8. Onboard new technology vendors as needed by coordinating required information and documentation.
9. Collaborate on periodic vendor reviews, which may involve scheduling, reviewing proposals, meeting coordination, proposal reviews, competitor identification, vendor research, requesting public records from other universities, organizing, and serving as the point of contact for vendor engagements.
10. Coordinate Request for Proposals (RFP) and Request for Quotes (RFQ) as needed for technology projects. Provide essential documentation and consistent communication as needed to support these processes.
11. Provide timely communication and updates on projects, initiatives, and activities to IT leadership via their preferred means of communication (i.e. ticketing system, email, verbal etc..)
12. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university by date of appointment.
• 2. Or, in lieu of a Bachelor's degree:
• 3. Associate's degree plus an additional combination of education or experience in Information Technology equivalent to two years.
• 4. Or
• 5. High school diploma or GED plus an additional combination of education or experience in Information Technology equivalent to four years.

At least two years of experience working in a technology procurement, vendor relations, project management, technology support role, or related field.

Excellent oral and written communication skills; exceptional customer service skills; strong analytical and problem-solving skills; strong organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer technology, information systems, computer science, communication, or related area.
• Additional years of technology support, project management, and vendor relations experience.

What we offer

• At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being.
• That's why we offer paid 24 vacation days, 12 sick days and 10 holidays a year.
• Plus, our paid parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant moments.
• We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust long-term disability and life insurance plans, as well a range of retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your family.
• These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.
• When you work for us, you are family.
• And to show our support of your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State.
• We do the same for you.
• In fact, we'll cover 100 percent of the tuition costs for you to earn your undergraduate degree and 80 percent of your graduate tuition.
• This offer is good from the very first day you start.
• It's just one way we do our part to uplift you.

Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.

Curious about our excellent benefits package?

We have developed a calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits. Select the Total Compensation Calculator -Professional and download the spreadsheet. If you are applying for a 10-month position or one with Burris or Indiana Academy, please select the corresponding calculator.