Job Description

Position Summary:

The Executive Technologist serves as the primary technology advisor and support lead for Vanderbilt University's Office of the Chancellor, managing the executive technology experience and ensuring services effectively support operational needs. This highly visible role supports the Chancellor, the Chancellor's immediate staff, and other leaders designated by the CIO through service delivery, relationship management, cybersecurity coordination, hands-on support, strategic consultation, and the identification and implementation of technology solutions. The position evaluates needs, develops recommendations, and delivers solutions, services, and best practices that improve productivity, communication, collaboration, and operational effectiveness while aligning with VUIT standards, cybersecurity requirements, and institutional priorities.

Working closely with VUIT leadership and service teams, the Executive Technologist serves as a trusted advisor, advocate, solution partner, and strategic coordinator who helps ensure stakeholder needs are understood, prioritized, and effectively supported through VUIT service delivery processes. Success in this role requires broad technical knowledge, executive presence, emotional intelligence, sound judgment, political awareness, adaptability, and the ability to build trusted relationships while supporting highly visible and influential University leaders. The role proactively identifies opportunities to improve the executive technology experience through innovative, secure, and practical solutions while delivering a high-touch support experience that remains aligned with institutional technology, security, and service excellence standards.

About the Work Unit:

VUIT is a human-centric organization that advances our University by delivering innovative solutions and frictionless experiences through collaboration.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Executive Technology Solutions & Service Delivery| 30% of Time

• Serves as the primary point of coordination for stakeholder technology initiatives, services, projects, and operational support activities.
• Partners with VUIT teams to plan, implement, and deliver technology solutions that support stakeholder objectives and operational effectiveness.
• Coordinates cross-functional efforts to ensure timely delivery of technology services and successful execution of initiatives.
• Provides proactive communication regarding service activities, planned changes, risks, and implementation efforts.
• Facilitates escalation, service restoration, and recovery activities during significant technology disruptions.
• Ensures technology services are delivered in alignment with stakeholder priorities, institutional standards, and cybersecurity requirements.

Executive Technology Security & Risk Support | 25% of Time

• Serves as the primary technology security contact for the Chancellor's Office, promoting secure technology practices and coordinating executive-focused cybersecurity and protection program technology support activities.
• Partners with the Office of Cybersecurity to help stakeholders understand technology risks, best security practices, University security requirements, and emerging threats that may impact operations.
• Coordinates the implementation and adoption of approved security controls, safeguards, and risk mitigation measures within executive technology environments.
• Collaborates with cybersecurity and VUIT teams to identify, escalate, and address risks affecting executive devices, accounts, communications, data, and technology services.
• Assists with response and recovery activities related to executive-focused cybersecurity incidents, compromised accounts, lost or stolen devices, and other security events.
• Provides cybersecurity guidance and technology readiness support for travel, including device security, secure communications, data protection, connectivity risks, and country-specific threat considerations as needed.

Executive Technology Partnership & Relationship Management | 25% of Time

• Builds and maintains trusted relationships with stakeholders through responsiveness, professionalism, discretion, and exceptional customer service.
• Serves as a strategic advisor on technology capabilities, services, best practices, and emerging opportunities.
• Anticipates needs and identifies opportunities to enhance productivity, communication, collaboration, security, and user experience.
• Translates stakeholder goals, business requirements, and service expectations into actionable recommendations and priorities.
• Advocates for stakeholder needs and represents their interests within VUIT planning, prioritization, and service delivery processes.
• Strengthens trust, confidence, and partnership between stakeholders and the IT organization.

Technical Support & Readiness | 20% of Time

• Provides high-touch technical support for stakeholders, independently diagnosing and resolving complex issues with urgency and minimal disruption to operations.
• Configures, deploys, maintains, and optimizes endpoint, communication, collaboration, and productivity solutions, including Windows, macOS, mobile devices, Microsoft 365, Teams, Zoom, and related technologies.
• Maintains secure, reliable, and operationally ready technology environments that support meetings, travel, presentations, and high-profile University activities.
• Coordinates and delivers technical support for executive meetings, donor engagements, commencement activities, and other significant University events.
• Proactively identifies and implements solutions that improve productivity, technology readiness, service quality, and the overall executive technology experience.

Working Conditions and Operational Requirements:

On-site Requirements:

• This position is required to work primarily on campus to support operational needs, provide high-touch in-person services, and maintain close relationships with stakeholders. Occasional flexibility may be granted based on University needs and policy.

Travel Requirements:

• This position may be required to travel up to 15% of time.

On-call Responsibilities:

• The position operates in a high-availability support environment and must be prepared to respond to critical technology issues outside of standard business hours.
• Issues impacting the Chancellor's ability to conduct University business are expected to receive immediate attention and take precedence over all other responsibilities.

Driving Required:

• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.

Additional Operational Requirements

• May be required to provide support at stakeholder residences, home offices, travel locations, and other approved off-campus venues.
• May be required to attend meetings, donor events, commencement activities, and other high-profile University functions.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not include direct supervisory responsibility. The role serves as a trusted technical resource, relationship manager, and service coordinator who collaborates extensively with VUIT teams in support of stakeholders. The position regularly exercises influence, coordination, and leadership without formal authority.

The role reports administratively to the Chief Information Officer and functionally to the Executive Director of IT Customer Engagement.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business, Communications, or a related field is necessary
• Master's degree is preferred
• Microsoft, Apple, cybersecurity, project management, or related professional certifications are strongly preferred
• ITIL Foundation certification is preferred

Experience and Skills:

• 7-10 years of progressively responsible information technology experience, including experience supporting senior executives, VIP stakeholders, or other highly visible leadership environments, is necessary
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate technology services and drive outcomes across multiple technical teams through influence, collaboration, and relationship management rather than formal authority is necessary
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles and executive technology risk management, including identity security, endpoint protection, mobile device security, and protection of sensitive information is necessary
• Advanced experience supporting modern endpoint and collaboration technologies, including Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Microsoft 365, conferencing platforms, and related productivity solutions is necessary
• Demonstrated ability to independently diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve complex technology issues with urgency, professionalism, and minimal supervision is necessary
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with stakeholders while translating technical concepts, risks, and opportunities into clear business recommendations is necessary
• Exceptional professionalism, discretion, emotional intelligence, political awareness, and judgment, with a demonstrated ability to manage highly confidential information and deliver high-touch, white-glove technology support in executive environments is necessary
• Demonstrated commitment to VUIT's Guiding Principles is necessary

Information Technology's Guiding Principles:

• Trust and Respect- VUIT cultivates a community built on trust, mutual respect, and inclusivity, where all members feel valued and supported. We prioritize honesty, dignity, empathy, and a willingness to listen and understand.
• Professionalism- VUIT strives to maintain a culture of maturity, accountability, and integrity to best represent the University and self. Have a sense of humility and poise in your work and daily interactions.
• Collaborate- VUIT commits to being inclusive in solution design where we value sharing within and partnering across the University. We are intentional about including our colleagues and preventing silos.
• Bias-to-Action- VUIT is seen as a changemaker by exhibiting a decisive, self-starter, take-action approach with a willingness to make decisions without excessive deliberation. Personal initiative is recognized as a key part of the creative process.
• Communicate- Communication (written, verbal and non-verbal), within and outside VUIT, is open, thoughtful, welcoming, clear, proactive, concise yet complete, always honest, and delivered kindly.
• Innovate- VUIT pledges to be bold and challenge the status quo by inspiring a culture of creativity that promotes growth and advancement for the University.
• Celebrate Each Other- We are intentional in showing appreciation for the work of others by valuing and acknowledging meaningful contributions at all levels of the organization.
• Optimize- VUIT will practice continuous and thoughtful optimization of our solutions and services to increase our human and technological capacity. Capacity drives innovation.