<p>Job Summary</p> <p>Grambling State University seeks an experienced Chief Information Officer to provide innovative and collaborative leadership to lead Grambling towards achieving the vision of being the #1 HBCU for economic and social mobility for students. The CIO is an institutional leader who serves to accelerate the Grambling vision and is responsible for managing the institution's information technology strategy and operations. Critical to the role is the ability to establish effective partnerships across the university to align technology capabilities and initiatives with institutional goals and to serve students, faculty and staff. The successful candidate will be a proven strategic leader who has demonstrated responsibility for advancing a university's teaching, research, and service missions through innovative and effective technology enablement. The role emphasizes collaboration across academic and administrative units, fostering technology adoption, innovation, and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance institutional goals. This role will be instrumental in co-establishing and enabling: institutional strategy to include developing technology and AI adoption strategies to support academic excellence, research innovation and operational efficiencies. Key initiatives that advance the institution's visions such as adaptive learning technologies that address the greatest needs of our institutional and students such as academic success, career preparation and faculty / curriculum enablement. Serve as the institution's thought leader for technology innovation and automation for both operational and academic excellence and efficiency responsible for driving positive change across the university for technology competence, utilization and innovation.</p> <p>Job Duties & Responsibilities</p> <ol> <li>ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES: </li></ol> <p>LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGY - The CIO will lead the university's IT department, defining and executing the IT strategy to align with the university's broader goals and objectives. The CIO will play a critical role in fostering innovation and ensuring technology supports the university's teaching, learning, security and operational needs.</p> <p>STRATEGIC PLANNING: Provide oversight for all IT initiatives, ensuring that current and future needs are met with a strategic, long-term perspective. Develop a roadmap for IT services, technology upgrades, and new system implementations by adopting emerging technologies.</p> <p>THOUGHT LEADERSHIP, PROJECT & CHANGE MANAGEMENT - Lead and develop the information technology blueprint for the university that will include a focus on reducing manual processes, strengthening internal controls, and enhancing technological capabilities. Build and manage a portfolio of technology projects and recommend required actions and resources for successful implementation. Develop a high-performing IT team of professionals: To realistically achieve the GSU technology vision, it is essential to hire critical strategic IT leadership and operational roles; To manage the day-to-day operations of the information technology department including directing staff, who support administrative computing, networking, user services, telecommunications, and other information technology functions; To maximize customer service for all existing platforms as well as identifying user needs to resolve problems; To manage all current outsourced IT services including Banner Managed Cloud, Administrative and Residential network services and support and Voice/Telecom services and support; Serve as an institutional leader and bring distributed IT resources under the central IT organization to include distance learning (Canvas and Academic support); computer science and academic technicians; all contractors and services supporting technology infrastructure and services to the Grambling community.</p> <p>BUDGET & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT - Serve as a resource for vendor proposals alongside university departments for all computer, software, and/or applications to minimize duplicity and maximize optimization. Participate in contract negotiations for all technology: including but not limited to computer, phone or related equipment, applications and software purchased by the university; Create cost-benefit analysis as well as supporting a detailed definition of data requirements and departmental workflows; Collaborate as applicable on technology issues for financial matters with the Internal Audit, Controller, Vice Presidents and as may be assigned by the President or his designee to enhance automation and strengthen internal controls; and Perform all other tasks associated with the financial technology operations as assigned by the President or his designee.</p> <p>OPERATIONAL OVERSIGHT - Direct all aspects of the University's IT operations, including network infrastructure, enterprise systems, cybersecurity, user support, and data governance. Manage IT staff and departmental structures, ensuring effective service delivery and operational efficiency. Establish and monitor performance metrics and service-level agreements.</p> <ol start="2"> <li>STUDENT JOURNEY & STUDENT SUCCESS: </li></ol> <p>Co-lead key improvements in the current student journey to include major institutional business processes and services that have a technology underpinning. Champion change at the departmental and institutional level to make significant, positive transformations in the delivery of services to students. Constantly advocate for students from recruitment, retention to alumni / GramFam and facilitating their success and belonging through service delivery, communication and identity.</p> <ol start="3"> <li>ACADEMIC & RESEARCH: </li></ol> <p>Cultivate relationships with faculty leaders, researchers, and external stakeholders to advance technology adoption and AI-driven innovation. Act as a bridge between academic departments, IT units, research teams, and administration to foster cross-functional collaboration. Develop technology adoption strategies to support academic excellence, research innovation, and operational efficiency and to highly support student outcomes. Drive initiatives such as adaptive learning technologies, personalized student experiences, and data-driven decision-making. Support faculty in leveraging technology and AI for research funding and reputation-building. Ensure ethical AI adoption by mitigating bias, maintaining transparency, and adhering to compliance standards. Continue to build on the Grambling technology foundation: Cloud, Cyber, ERP Automation, Analytics, Infrastructure, Campus Security, etc. Grow the GSU reputation of being a Cloud and Cyber leader in curriculum, partnerships, and campus infrastructure. Partner with the new Digital Library and Learning Commons to expand and enhance services and continue to build upon the mission of the library. Support development of the concept of the Cyber Center building in collaboration with administration and academic requirements and input. Experience with successfully seeking external funding sources such as public-private partnerships. Lead and solidify academic technology management within the academic enterprise such as management of the LMS (Canvas) and supervision over academic technicians that support specific academic departments. Optimize the GSU 10-year Master Plan with Technology Innovation and Automation. Leverage the GSU Friends of Technology Advisory Board (FOTAB) to accelerate and further advance the GSU Technology Vision. Collaborate with the university leadership to build a portfolio of complementary external partnerships that accelerate, fund, and support the GSU Technology vision. Develop programming to enhance GSU student technology knowledge through certifications, demonstration labs, internships, and day-to-day technology operations.</p> <ol start="4"> <li>STATE OF LOUISIANA ENGAGEMENT: </li></ol> <p>Grambling is a State of Louisiana institution, and the CIO is a key participant in adhering to the duties and responsibilities of state requirements including legislative audit, rulings and state engagements. Engagement and representation with the University of Louisiana (UL) CIO community and Louisiana Optical Network Infrastructure (LONI) and other state-level engagements as needed.</p> <ol start="5"> <li>CYBERSECURITY / INFORMATION SECURITY: </li></ol> <p>Serve as the accountable lead at the institution for cyber and information security. Management of the vCISO and adherence to all federal and state cyber and information security requirements, including GLBA. Ensure ongoing engagement and training for the community that results in the effective protection of Grambling data.</p> <ol start="6"> <li>INFORMATION SECURITY & RISK MANAGEMENT: </li></ol> <p>Oversee the University's information security strategy and compliance with applicable laws, standards, and policies (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA, GLBA etc.) Ensure business continuity, disaster recovery planning, and cybersecurity awareness across campus.</p> <ol start="7"> <li>STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATION: </li></ol> <p>Serve as the primary liaison between the IT department, university leadership, and other stakeholders. Ensure alignment of IT goals with university goals, and keep the university community informed about IT initiatives and changes.</p> <ol start="8"> <li>POLICY DEVELOPMENT & GOVERNANCE: </li></ol> <p>Lead the development and enforcement of IT-related policies and procedures. Coordinate IT governance structures to ensure transparency, prioritization, and accountability.</p> <ol start="9"> <li>All other duties as may be assigned by the President or his designee. </li></ol> <p>Qualifications</p> <p>Minimum:</p> <ul> <li>A Master's Degree in an area related to information management and technology or; </li><li>A bachelor's degree in a related field with extensive experience that equates to an advanced degree is required. </li><li>The successful candidate must have significant experience in IT strategy, and in the actual operation, maintenance, and installation of major enterprise information systems, including computer networks, end-user hardware and software and enterprise security; </li><li>Project management experience must include portfolio management, research, planning and actual delivery and user adoption; </li><li>Must have demonstrated experience in driving and influencing the strategic use of technology as well as in the effective management of information technology personnel and the institution's IT operation; </li><li>Must be able to communicate effectively, both verbally as well as in writing; </li><li>Have the ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with departmental staff, the faculty and the students at Grambling State University (GSU); </li><li>Have the ability to maintain constant technical expertise in the critical areas of strategic information technology and information security at GSU is essential; and </li><li>Must maintain flexible hours based on the needs of the University. </li></ul> <p>Preferred:</p> <ul> <li>Candidates who possess experience in a college/university setting; and </li><li>Knowledge of a variety of enterprise technology platforms, including Banner, PeopleAdmin, Oracle, ARGOS, Microsoft, and Apple; </li><li>Strategic Vision: Ability to align IT and AI strategies with institutional goals. </li><li>Proven Technical Expertise: Proficiency in AI applications, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies </li><li>Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to foster partnerships across departments and external organizations </li><li>Ethical Leadership: Commitment to ethical AI use, transparency, and compliance with regulations </li><li>Innovation: Capacity to drive technological advancements that enhance teaching, research, and efficiency </li></ul> <p>Supplemental Information</p> <p>Applications without the following will not be considered complete.</p> <ul> <li>Cover Letter </li><li>Resume </li><li>Transcript(s) if applicable </li><li>Curriculum Vitae if applicable </li></ul>