Description
The Associate Vice President for Information Technology Services and Chief Information Officer provides strategic leadership for all aspects of the university’s information technology, including infrastructure, software, and user services.
Another Source is proud to be partnering with Western Washington University as they recruit for their next Associate Vice President for Information Technology Services and Chief Information Officer in Bellingham, WA.
This is an exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking technology leader to help shape what’s next for Western. You’ll lead a 100+ person ITS organization and play a key role in major initiatives across the university, including:
- Leading Western through a significant Workday ERP transformation
- Helping shape the university’s evolving approach to AI, innovation, and digital transformation
- Strengthening data governance, cybersecurity, and enterprise technology
- Building collaboration across IT, academic, and administrative teams
- Developing and empowering a talented technology organization
We’re looking for an innovative, collaborative leader who understands where technology is headed- and knows how to bring people along through change.
Bellingham, WA | Hybrid (3+ days onsite)
Hiring range: $205,363–$236,168
Relocation assistance available
Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students, and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands, and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.
Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. To pursue this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive, effective, inclusive working relationships among diverse populations, including staff, faculty, administration, students, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) in all aspects of their job duties.
The division of Business and Financial Affairs supports Western’s mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement.
About the Department: The Associate Vice President for Information Technology Services/Chief Information Officer provides strategic leadership for all aspects of the university’s information technology, including infrastructure, software, and user services.
The AVP ITS/CIO provides strategic planning for technology at Western, provides leadership, and fosters teamwork across all Information Technology Services (ITS) units, which comprise more than 100 employees. The AVP ITS/CIO supervises Academic Technology and User Services, Enterprise Application Services, Enterprise Infrastructure Services, Information Technology Services Operations, and the Information Security Office.
The AVP ITS/CIO must manage, inspire, and lead a diverse team of dedicated professionals and support staff. They foster and sustain a workplace that promotes and values accessibility, equity, inclusion, and diversity. Understanding key performance metrics and implementing effective strategies to improve service and project delivery are essential. Clear, persuasive, and proactive communication is critical to achieving ITS's strategic goals.
The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with extensive experience in information technology and a passion for driving innovation to advance student success.
Requirements
Required Qualifications:
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible management and leadership experience in information technology and information security.
An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, or international equivalent.
Experience in preparing and maintaining complex budgets.
An understanding of the values and principles that guide public higher education.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including demonstrated experience. Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences, with a strong customer service focus.
Successful experience supervising technology personnel, including leading, managing, coaching, and developing those individuals utilizing methodologies for continuous improvement.
Demonstrated leadership skills in collaborative decision-making and building constructive professional relationships across organizational units.
Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and execution of information technology solutions within a complex environment.
Demonstrates a commitment to and experience in championing diversity, equity, and inclusion by fostering a collaborative environment where every voice is heard and valued.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree from an accredited institution or international equivalent, in a discipline relevant to this position.
Experience as a senior/executive leader in a complex information technology organization.
Significant experience and skill in negotiating with vendors, contractors, and others.
