Chief Information Officer at Allegany College of Maryland – Cumberland, Maryland

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) serves as a key member of the President’s Staff and a strategic thought partner in advancing the mission, vision, and goals of the college. Reporting directly to the President, the CIO provides proven, innovative, and visionary leadership for the college’s information technology strategy and operations, ensuring the effective and secure delivery of technology services that support academic excellence, student success, and institutional efficiency.

As a senior leader, the CIO fosters a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement. The CIO works closely with faculty, staff, and administrators across departments to develop and implement a comprehensive, forward-thinking IT strategic plan aligned with the college’s overarching strategic priorities.

The CIO oversees and guides all aspects of the college's IT infrastructure, including instructional technology and learning systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, user services and support, infrastructure and network management, systems and information security, and administrative computing. The role requires both strategic and operational leadership, ensuring reliable, scalable, and secure systems and services.
This position demands a highly collaborative and communicative leader who builds strong interdepartmental relationships, promotes innovation, and ensures that technology initiatives align with the institution’s educational and operational goals.
A. Technology Innovation, Strategy and Planning:

1. Develop and implement data-driven technology strategies that result in measurable business outcomes that are aligned with the College’s mission, goals, and strategic priorities.
2. Provide institutional leadership role in the planning, development, and management of IT infrastructure, instructional technology, and technology initiatives.
3. Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the technology department.
4. Provide leadership and project management for all phases of the college strategic technology initiatives.
5. Provide vision and progressive IT leadership to meet the needs of faculty, staff and students, including a vision and strategy for emerging technologies.
6. Develop, implement, and assess the Technology Plan, which will include specific objectives, timeframe, tasks, measures, and outcomes.

B. Information Technology Operations:

1. Administer the college’s information technology, ensuring that technology systems and operations align with the college’s academic and administrative needs.
2. Deliver secure, reliable, effective, and efficient services across the college.
3. Manage the deployment, monitoring, maintenance, development, upgrade, and support of all IT systems, including, but not limited to, servers, computers/AV support, enterprise software, learning management software, IT security, cloud systems and/or network infrastructure, operating systems, hardware, helpdesk, webpage, software, and peripherals.
4. Ensure the availability and performance of audio-visual systems and instructional technology across all locations.

C. Team Management:

1. Provide effective leadership to supervise and manage the IT and eLETS team, budget, equipment and facilities.
2. Promote professional development and create a positive and collaborative work environment.
3. Manage departmental budgets, including staffing, equipment, and technology investments.

D. Instructional Design and Technology:

1. Collaborate with academic and training departments to integrate technology into the curriculum and instructional practices.
2. Provide strategic direction for adopting and utilizing learning management systems (LMS) and other educational technologies.
3. Support faculty and staff in leveraging technology to enhance teaching and learning experiences.
4. Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of AV systems for classrooms, conference rooms, and event spaces.
5. Ensure AV solutions are user-friendly and meet the needs of diverse stakeholders.
6. Stay current with emerging AV technologies and recommend upgrades or new implementations.

E. Policy, Compliance and Security:

1. Develop, implement and maintain effective policies and procedures for information technology, ensuring that access, security and usage are in accordance with all college policies, and applicable state and federal laws.
2. Develop, implement and monitor a comprehensive enterprise information security and data risk management and governance plan to protect information and technology assets owned, controlled, processed and achieved by the college.
3. Manage risk and ensure business continuity through the development of a disaster recovery plan that clearly assigns roles and responsibilities that ensure the security and sustainability of college operations.
4. Ensure the negotiation of systems and component acquisitions, end-user service agreements, contracts, vendor service agreements are in line with college and state procurement guidelines and regulations.
5. Ensure that all college employees receive systematic training related to cyber and information security, personally identifiable information (PII), and other relevant training.

F. Stakeholder Engagement:

1. Serve as the primary liaison between the technology department and other institutional units.
2. Communicate technology plans, policies, and projects to executive leadership, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.
3. Seek feedback and input to improve technology services and support continuously.

G. Other Responsibilities:

1. Serve the President and Senior staff with ultimate accountability to the college community and Board of Trustees.
2. Serve on committees as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology or related field and ten years’ experience managing teams with diverse skill sets and multiple information technology systems, OR;
2. Master’s degree in relevant field and seven years’ experience managing teams with diverse skill sets and multiple information technology systems; and
3. A proven track record of hands-on and managerial experience with IT infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity, data management, learning design, instructional technology systems, and AV technologies, and;
4. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences, and;
5. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a strategic mindset, and;
6. Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups and build strong relationships across the College.

Preferred qualifications:

1. IT management experience at an institute of higher education.

Job Knowledge:

1. Principles and practices of budgeting, purchasing, contract management, and customer service.
2. Techniques and practices for efficient and cost-effective management of resources.
3. Systems development methodologies and their application in a college setting.
4. Understanding the characteristics, capabilities, and limitations of various hardware, software, and network equipment and systems; voice/data networks; Enterprise software applications and operating systems, including student systems and security systems.
5. Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, evaluation, and the management of employees through multiple levels of supervision.
6. Principles and practices of developing teams, motivating employees, and managing in a team environment.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Must possess strong organization, oral and written communication, and analytical skills.
2. Competence in computer applications, Microsoft Office Suite, other college-used software, and QuickBooks.
3. Strong public speaking skills required.
4. Financial accounting skills preferred.
5. Competency in basic accounting/math required.
6. Time management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks appropriately and meet deadlines are required.