Executive Director of Information Technologies

Northwestern Michigan College

$128K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in IT-related field or equivalent required
  • 10+ years of related experience required
  • 7-10 years of experience in higher education administration preferred
  • Working knowledge of FERPA, HIPAA, GLBA, and GDPR required
  • 5+ years of budget management and business planning experience required
  • Strong organizational and project management skills required
  • Proven experience in strategic and operational planning required

Responsibilities

  • Lead efforts to enhance educational technologies and ensure cohesive data reporting
  • Coordinate priorities in AI, systems, automation, and data alignment
  • Serve on governance councils and committees
  • Manage IT-related human resources, budgets, vendors, and contracts
  • Act as the chief information officer and represent the College in relevant organizations
  • Oversee technology risk management strategy and incident response
  • Provide leadership in IT project planning and implementation

Benefits

  • Flexible/Hybrid work arrangements
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Participation in state, national, and international organizations
  • Opportunities for engagement with technology innovations
  • Environment focused on continuous improvement and strategic planning
Full Job Description
Salary: $128,324.00 Annually
Location : Main Campus - 1701 E Front Street, Traverse City
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Division: Finance & Administration
Department: Executive Director of Technology
Opening Date: 08/27/2026
Closing Date: 9/28/2026 8:00 AM Eastern

Summary & Qualifications:
Summary

The Executive Director for Information Technologies serves as the College's chief information officer and is responsible for the delivery and support of innovative, efficient, and effective technologies, information services, and resources for the College. The position will coordinate technology leadership that connects strategy, systems, and operations for the entire College. The position provides leadership and direction in the following areas: strategic planning for technology investments and operations, policy and compliance activities related to the use of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education, chief AI lead, cybersecurity and data governance, budgeting and prioritization of information technology (IT) initiatives, IT vendor and contract management, ERP systems, cloud and SaaS migration, academic technologies, networking and telecommunications, and the technology help desk. This position reports to the Vice President for Finance and Administration and serves on the President's Council.

Qualifications

Master's degree- IT-related field or equivalent (Required)

10+ years of related experience (Required)

7-10 years of experience in higher education administration and supervision (Preferred)

Working knowledge of regulatory standards impacting the College including FERPA, HIPAA, GLBA, and GDPR (Required)

5+ years of experience managing a budget and conducting business planning for fiscal sustainability (Required)

Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving experience; proven ability to plan, prioritize, and execute complex, interdepartmental projects (Required)

Proven experience in strategic and operational planning (Required)

Essential Responsibilities

  • (Critical) Lead collaborative efforts to provide appropriate educational technologies and ensure consistent and cohesive data reporting across the college. Connect existing efforts, reduce silos, and provide clarity and direction to all areas of the College to ensure our technologies are interconnected.
  • (Critical) Ensure priorities involving AI, systems, automation, and data alignment move forward in a coordinated manner.
  • (Critical) Serve on the President's Council and NMC governance councils and committees as needed.
  • (Critical) Manage the human resources, budgets, vendors, contracts, and other organizational processes as they relate to information technology. Responsibilities include evaluation of direct reports through the staff evaluation process, evaluation of IT vendors and contracts, management of the college's IT-related budgets and resources, and continuous improvement of the College's IT systems and infrastructure.
  • (Critical) Serve as the college's chief information officer and primary liaison for relevant representation on state, national and international organizations and affinity groups.
  • (Critical) Lead the College's technology risk management strategy, including IT incident preparedness, response, recovery, and continuity efforts. This includes oversight of the College's third-party risk management (TPRM) program in effort to identify, evaluate, mitigate, and monitor risks from external vendors, suppliers, and partners under an appropriate framework.
  • (Critical) Engage in professional development opportunities in order to stay current in the field of information technology in higher education.
  • (Critical) Provides a forward-looking direction on how technology supports student success and operations.
  • (Critical) Management and improvement of administrative technologies to support the institutional operations of the College in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Administrative technologies include systems such as Banner, 25Live, Canvas, Starfish, Mitel Revolution, and Google Suite.
  • (Critical) Collaborate on the management and improvement of learning technologies to support teaching and learning in a cost effective and efficient manner. Learning technologies include Canvas, classroom computers and projectors, computer classrooms and labs, video distribution, and media equipment.
  • (Critical) Management and continuous improvement of the desktop computing, network, server, and telecommunications infrastructure of the College to provide a reliable, stable, and secure environment so employees, students, and the general public can access and use the systems they need. The infrastructure includes the telephone system, wireless networking, Novell network, and internet services.
  • (Critical) Coordinate training and support services for students and employees so all end users have the technological tools and resources needed to succeed. This includes oversight of the NMC Technology Help Desk and coordinating training and resources for all College software systems and applications.
  • (Critical) Ensure data integrity, alignment, and transparency to support r strategic planning, assessment, and decision-making.
  • (Critical) Provide leadership in planning, organization, and implementation of IT projects and initiatives in accordance with NMC's mission, vision, and values, and in accordance with NMC's Board and Staff policies.
  • (Critical) Provide leadership in the development, deployment, and evaluation of the College's strategic plan.
  • (Critical) Manage the Technology Infrastructure Plant Fund to ensure sustainable funding for the replacement of technology hardware to support the College's programs and activities.
  • (Critical) Monitor emerging technologies and new trends and applications of technology in higher education and recommend actions based on this information.

Work Environment
Lifting Activities

Most frequently lifted object: under 10 lbs. lifted to waist level; carried 1-9 feet (Several times per day)

Heaviest object lifted: 10-19 lbs. lifted waist level; carried 1-9 feet (Occasionally)

Non-lifting Repetitive Activities

Arm Movement (Several times per day)

Gripping (Several times per day)

Sitting (Continuously)

Standing (Several times per day)

Talking (Continuously)

Typing (Several times per day)

Walking (Several times per day)

Writing (Several times per day)

Other Physical Demands

Extended work hours

Irregular working hours

Prolonged visual work

Travel (10-24%)

Mental Demands

Complicated Planning

Exercising Independent Judgment

Minimal Guidance or Direction

Performing Multiple Functions/Activities

Persuading Others

Other Challenges

Production deadlines

Safeguarding organization assets and property

Additional Information

This position will require evenings and weekends on an as-needed basis
Executive Benefits
01

Do you have a Master's degree in an IT-related field or equivalent?
  • No
  • Yes

02

Please select the highest degree attained:
  • Less than High School Diploma or GED
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Some higher education courses, training, or certification
  • Associate's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • PhD, Doctorate

03

How many years of IT-related experience do you have?
  • Less than 10 years of experience
  • Between 10 and 12 years of experience
  • Between 12 and 15 years of experience
  • Between 15 and 20 years of experience
  • 20 or more years of experience

04

Do you have working knowledge of regulatory standards impacting the College, including FERPA, HIPAA, GLBA, and GDPR?
  • No
  • Yes

05

Do you have 5 or more years of experience managing a budget and conducting business planning for fiscal sustainability?
  • No
  • Yes

06

Do you have proven experience in strategic and operational planning?
  • No
  • Yes

07

Do you have strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving experience with a proven ability to plan, prioritize, and execute complex, interdepartmental projects?
  • No
  • Yes

08

Do you have any experience in higher education administration and supervision?
  • No
  • Yes

09

If yes, please briefly explain and include the total years of experience working in higher ed
10

Regarding this position, is there anything else you would like us to know?
Required Question

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