Location

Information Technology Services (ITS) - 2500 Daniells Bridge Road Athens, GA 30606

Job Summary

Serving under the direction of the Chief Operating Officer, the ITS CIO serves as the senior administrative official responsible for leading the USG's Information Technology vision, strategic planning, change management, policy, architecture and infrastructure, cybersecurity, and innovation initiatives. The CIO will be responsible for supporting the USG strategic plan and portfolio of initiatives to both leverage the current and anticipated information technologies and services as well as explore and implement IT innovations which achieve the USG's strategic goals of student success, responsible stewardship, economic competitiveness, and community impact.

This position leads the efforts of over 203 full-time employees located in the Information Technology Services facility in Athens, Georgia and a few located in the downtown Atlanta office. Fiscal oversight includes managing an operations budget exceeding $70 million; reviews of institutional strategic planning for major technology acquisition plans and projects; system-wide approval responsibility for processing technology procurements and related business cases; and responsibility for information technology infrastructure approvals for all new facilities and major renovations.

The CIO also serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on emerging technologies, digital transformation, enterprise risk management, data governance, artificial intelligence initiatives, cybersecurity strategy, and operational modernization across the University System of Georgia.

Responsibilities

1. Leads USG IT initiatives by collaborating with executive leadership to advance the strategic goals and priorities of the Chancellor and the Board of Regents (BOR).
2. Develops and implements a comprehensive technology strategy aligned with the USG Strategic Plan, ERP modernization priorities, AI-enabled operational innovation, and evolving higher education technology trends.
3. Coordinates the development and implementation of IT best practices, governance standards, cybersecurity protocols, AI governance frameworks, operational standardization across the University System and affiliated constituents.
4. Leads the development and administration of IT-related BOR policies, procedures, standards, and implementation guidelines.
5. Provides leadership, guidance, and support to the USG CIO Advisory Council, serving as a professional organization for University System IT leaders and as an advisory body for systemwide technology initiatives, ERP transformation efforts, AI strategy discussions, and stakeholder communication.
6. Provides executive oversight and management of enterprise IT services and operations supporting academic and administrative functions, including:

• Student Information Systems
• Learning Management Systems
• HR/Payroll/Benefits Systems
• Financial Enterprise Systems
• ERP Platforms and Enterprise Integrations
• Data Communications Networks
• Cloud and Infrastructure Services
• Enterprise Applications and Integrations
• AI-enabled technologies and automation solutions

1. Directs, develops, and provides governance and oversight for IT services supporting all USG-affiliated institutions and entities.
2. Oversee USG technology procurement review and approval processes for qualifying IT purchases, enterprise contracts, ERP-related investments, AI-enabled technology solutions, and enterprise modernization initiatives.
3. Leads personnel responsible for all aspects of enterprise IT operations, including:

• Enterprise contract negotiations
• Software licensing and sourcing
• Vendor management
• Campus engagement
• Technology partnerships
• ERP modernization support
• AI and digital innovation initiative
• Communities of practice development

1. Provides leadership for enterprise data governance initiatives supporting effective and efficient system-wide data collection, warehousing, analytics, reporting, compliance, AI-enabled insights, and strategic decision-making.
2. Collaborate with the USG Chief Information Security Officer to support cybersecurity governance, awareness, compliance, risk management, AI security considerations, and best practices across the University System.
3. Supports the USG Strategic Plan through leadership and implementation oversight of enterprise modernization, ERP transformation, AI adoption strategies, and digital transformation initiatives.
4. Advises executive leadership regarding emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, digital transformation strategies, cybersecurity trends, and operational innovation opportunities.
5. Oversee the management of ITS human, financial, operational, and facility resources to support organizational goals and ensure effective stewardship of public resources.
6. Represents the University System of Georgia in state, regional, and national technology organizations, higher education consortiums, ERP collaboratives, AI governance discussions, and strategic technology partnerships.
7. Performs related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• An advanced degree from an accredited four-year university-level institution and at least ten (10) years related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Proven track record in strategic planning and implementation of information technology solutions through incorporating an understanding of requirements by constituent groups.
• Demonstrated experience leading or supporting enterprise ERP modernization initiatives, digital transformation strategies, and enterprise technology integration efforts.
• Demonstrated knowledge of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, enterprise analytics, cloud computing, and data governance frameworks.
• Experience overseeing cybersecurity governance, enterprise risk management, disaster recovery, AI governance, and business continuity planning.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex and/or diverse information, taking into account the organization's strengths and weaknesses, challenges and opportunities, and the need for change management.
• Demonstrated ability to translate long-term strategies into day-to-day operations management, including experience in aligning resources with strategic goals and priorities.
• Experience in building and managing a workforce based on organizational goals, budget considerations, and staffing requirements. Leads and fosters an inclusive work environment to achieve the organization's mission.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to develop and maintain constructive and professional relationships with System Office administrators and staff, elected and appointed executives, campus leadership, constituents at all levels, ERP partners, technology vendors, and industry partners.
• Must be able to effectively translate and communicate the real and potential capabilities of information technology, ERP modernization, AI-enabled innovation, and digital transformation initiatives to achieve educational and business objectives to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated record of managing, planning, and forecasting fiscal and budget requirements including operational budgets, licensing, sourcing, and contract negotiations, and personnel recruitment, retention, and compensation.
• Demonstrated evidence in building collaborations internally and with other constituent groups to achieve common goals of the USG Strategic Plan.

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal degree or doctorate from an accredited college or university in information technology, computer science, business administration, higher education administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Executive leadership experience within a large public higher education system, research university, state government agency, or similarly complex organization.
• Experience managing large-scale enterprise technology budgets and complex multi-institutional IT environments.
• Experience collaborating with governing boards, executive leadership teams, and institutional stakeholders in a public-sector or higher education setting.
• Professional certifications related to information technology leadership, cybersecurity, ERP Systems, project management, enterprise architecture, AI governance, or governance frameworks are preferred.
• Demonstrated success in leading organizational transformation initiatives and fostering innovation through technology-enabled and AI supported solutions.
• Experience in policy development, strategic governance, and enterprise-wide operational planning within higher education or government organizations.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

1. Knowledge of Board-level governance structures, higher education administration, and public sector organizational dynamics.
2. Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, compliance requirements, and policies impacting higher education information technology operations, ERP governance, AI compliance considerations, and cybersecurity frameworks.
3. Knowledge of enterprise information technology systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity frameworks, cloud technologies, ERP systems, AI technologies, machine learning concepts, and digital transformation strategies.
4. Knowledge of IT governance, enterprise architecture, systems engineering, project management principles, ERP implementation methodologies, and AI governance frameworks.
5. Knowledge of strategic planning, organizational change management, and process improvement methodologies.
6. Skills in executive leadership, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement across large and complex organizations.
7. Skills in strategic decision-making involve operational, financial, cybersecurity, ERP transformation, AI governance, and organizational risk assessment.
8. Skills in building effective interpersonal relationships and fostering collaborative partnerships with institutional leadership, state officials, vendors, ERP implementation partners, and constituents.
9. Skill in oral, written, and executive-level communication.
10. Ability to lead large-scale enterprise initiatives, ERP transformations, AI integration efforts, and organizational modernization strategies.
11. Ability to respond diplomatically and strategically to sensitive, confidential, and high-profile issues.
12. Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities within a complex, fast-paced environment.
13. Ability to align technology initiatives, ERP strategies, and AI-enabled innovation efforts with institutional and systemwide strategic goals.
14. Ability to foster innovation, operational excellence, and a culture of continuous improvement.
15. Ability to lead and develop diverse, high-performing teams in an inclusive and collaborative environment.