Fast Facts

We are looking for a College Information Officer to lead our IT team, ensuring the technological infrastructure meets the institution's needs while contributing to both strategic planning and day-to-day operations.

Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include overseeing strategy and operations for IT, developing technology plans, ensuring security infrastructure, and leading a team to enhance academic and administrative technology services.

Skills: Candidates must demonstrate strong leadership capabilities, strategic planning skills, and extensive knowledge in technology management and support services.

Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in a related field and experience in community college settings are preferred, along with project management and technology alignment experience.

Location: This position can be based at either the Winona or Red Wing campus in Minnesota.

Compensation: $87098 - $87098 / Annually

We are seeking a self-motivated, hands-on College Information Officer (CIO) to lead our small but dedicated IT team in a working manager capacity. This role requires a leader who can provide strategic direction and departmental oversight while actively contributing to day-to-day operations and project execution.

The ideal candidate will bring a collaborative approach, supporting the team with technical tasks as needed and guiding long-term initiatives to ensure the stability and advancement of the institution’s technological infrastructure. Prior experience as a CIO is not required; however, candidates should demonstrate strong leadership capabilities and a solid foundation in managing technology teams and initiatives. This position may be based at either our Winona or Red Wing campus.

This position provides campus leadership for information technology oversight and continuous development, directing the institution’s efforts in technology to keep pace with the rapid advancements in technology. Directing all strategic planning and operational planning for technology and information activities at the institution.  Lead the technological infrastructure for the institution's operations, to include academic computing, delivery of curriculum via multiple distance learning avenues, administrative computing, campus local and wide-area networking, telecommunications, media services, training and development, Help Desk services, cybersecurity practices, and campus web technology.  This position will lead efforts to create and sustain an accountable and transparent environment.

Direct the institution’s efforts in technology

• Develop a long-term vision for the role of technology in the institution’s operations, learning environments, and community engagement. This vision should integrate with the overall mission and goals of the Institution.
• Ensure that technology investments and initiatives support the academic programs, curriculum, and development.  Develop and recommend to senior management a campus-wide plan and strategy for technology infrastructure for technological matters, including the introduction of new technologies and emerging IT security concerns for the Institution.
• Provide leadership to the Institution's administrative team to identify uses of technology to support learning and administrative processes.
• Identify opportunities for technological enhancement that may result in major cost savings, efficiencies, and/or customer satisfaction.
• Communicate developments in technology to the Institution community and the technology team.
• Ensure the security of technology infrastructure and data. Maintaining a secure IT infrastructure and implementing strong cybersecurity measures to protect institutional data, networks, and student records.
• Chair the institution-wide technology committee.
• Develop internal policies and procedures to ensure the safety and integrity of information management systems.
• Identify and assist in providing employee technology training opportunities to maximize faculty and staff potential in the use of technology applications.
• Maintain an accessible, responsive IT support team to assist students and faculty with technical issues.
• Direct the development of multiple technology delivery options to meet the needs of students.  By advising in the development, interpretation, and implementation of classroom technologies.  Develop and provide support initiatives that allow distance learners comparable access to learning resources as on-campus students.
• Ensure 24x7x365 optimal levels of availability of all information technology services to faculty, staff, and students. Remediate network or IT problems expeditiously with minimal downtime and disruption.
• Ensure that all students and faculty have access to the necessary devices, software, and resources. This may involve initiatives like device lending programs, expanding Wi-Fi access, and offering free or discounted software.

Provide leadership over institutional planning and assessment to advance the institution-wide technology strategic plans.

• Develop and update a technology strategic master plan to align with the institution's mission and strategic objectives.  The technology strategic master plan will influence how technology will enhance academic delivery, operational efficiency, and student engagement.
• Set short-term and long-term goals for technology usage in teaching, administration, and student services.  Ensure goals are measurable and regularly tracked.
• Develop and recommend to senior management a comprehensive operational and capital budget for technology that includes hardware and software purchases, IT staff salaries, professional development, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Monitor advances and evaluate recommendations in technology that positively impact curriculum innovations and operational processes, and uses. 
• Regularly update and maintain the college's IT infrastructure, including network hardware, software, and security systems, to prevent system downtime and ensure optimal performance.
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date inventory of all technology assets (hardware, installed software, equipment, networks, etc.). Assess the condition, usage, and relevance of each asset to ensure that the institution's information technology assets are properly and legally managed.

Lead, supervise, and direct department human and fiscal resources. 

• Lead, supervise, and direct department and contract personnel, so projects are staffed appropriately to meet deadlines within budget.
• Determine staffing needs, prepare job descriptions, coordinate job postings with human resources, interview, and select staff.
• Encourage professional development opportunities for the IT staff to learn and grow professionally.
• Provide work direction and assignments, annual work plans, evaluate performance, and approve leave requests, overtime, and timesheets.
• Hold routine staff meetings to review and discuss IT-related matters or projects.
• Work with human resource staff concerning discipline, grievances, discharge, transfers, and promotion.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations for each team member.  Discuss strengths, areas for improvement, and provide actionable feedback.

Perform other duties as assigned.

• Engage in professional development to maintain professional knowledge, stay current with technology and trends in educational assessment, and continuously improve the institutional technology services.
• Represent the college at federal, state, and local meetings or conferences. Participate in professional organizations and professional development opportunities to keep informed of current ideas, research, and practices related to the position, taking a leadership role where appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

• Six years of progressively responsible administrative experience in technological infrastructure to maintain and protect the Institution's operations.
• Extensive knowledge in the principles, practices, trends, processes, and procedures necessary to lead the technology services of the Institution. 
• Strong strategic planning skills for the integration and use of technology to support learning, services for students, and decision making.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of leadership, management, supervision, and project management. 
• Fiscal management experience in developing and administering budgets and resource allocation. 
• Exceptional organizational skills and communication skills in both information technology and personnel areas.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills and organizational skills to handle, direct, and prioritize multiple and complex assignments and projects, and to effectively collaborate across the college.

Preferred Qualification 

• Bachelor’s degree in the fields of information technology, computer science, computer information systems, management information systems, IT management, or project management
• Previous work experience at a community or technical college and/or within the Minnesota State System
• Previous work experience in aligning technology with business strategy and creating an environment of competitive advantage. 
• Project management experience.
• Experience with the development and improvement of student learning outcomes in a community college setting.