Chief Information Officer

Chief Information Officer

New Mexico Tech (NMT) seeks a Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead its strategic use of information technology to advance the university’s mission. Reporting to the Vice President of Finance and Administration, the CIO serves on the Executive Cabinet, collaborating closely with the provost and research center directors. The CIO oversees the Information Technology and Communications (ITC) department and the Academic Center for Technology (ACT), encompassing academic and administrative computing, networking, infrastructure, classroom technology, programming, and telecommunications. Key responsibilities include oversight of enterprise IT, research IT, governance, compliance, and cybersecurity.

As NMT’s primary technology leader, the CIO will understand and support the diverse IT needs across academic, administrative, and research divisions, ensuring alignment with the university’s strategic goals.

Essential Duties:

• Collaborate with university leadership to develop a strategic plan for the application of IT vis-à-vis the institution’s priorities, including transparent cost models for the operation and sustainment of enterprise systems.
• Provide robust and sustainable enterprise IT services to the staff, faculty, student, and research components at NMT.
• Assist the President and the Executive Cabinet in leveraging the university’s operational data as strategic assets in support of decision-making and planning.
• Provide visionary leadership, setting strategic direction and fostering innovation in IT services.
• Partner with stakeholders to advance institutional goals through the proactive application of technology.
• Oversee the operation of NMT’s network and internet infrastructure to ensure high- availability and the ability to scale with increasing future demands.
• Stay informed on IT trends, recommend strategies for both short- and long-term planning, and provide leadership in the transition to next-generation technologies (e.g., cloud, mobile, IoT, etc.).
• Oversee the university’s cybersecurity program, including system security, data governance, data integrity, incident response, reporting, risk management, training, and compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations.
• Oversee component-level IT projects to ensure alignment with institutional goals, resource availability, and established data governance.
• Develop and manage IT budgets, including oversight of IT procurement, contracting, and vendor management to ensure standardization of IT services and the realization of economies of scale.
• Advance high-performance computing and networking infrastructures for research.
• Foster partnerships with IT leaders across institutions to leverage resources, including shared services and initiatives that can drive greater value for the university, the city of Socorro, and the state.
• Ensure IT governance processes are incisive, transparent, and collaborative.
• Support research computing needs, including secure data environments/enclaves and analytics.
• Ensure the operational integrity of NMT’s website.
• Perform other duties and special projects as needed.

The Successful Candidate Will Have:

• Strategic vision and dedication to excellence in IT services.
• Expertise in cybersecurity, governance, and compliance.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and multitasking abilities.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, fostering collaboration with faculty, staff, and students.
• Knowledge of IT best practices supporting teaching, research, and learning.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, telecommunications, security, and emerging technologies.
• Proven ability to manage large IT budgets in a research-intensive setting.
• Broad understanding of research computing, including high-performance computing and secure data environments.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements in information security (FERPA, CMCC, HIPAA, GDPR, etc.).
• Experience with cloud technology implementation and management.
• Ability to develop IT governance frameworks ensuring effective decision-making.
• Bachelor’s degree in a technology-related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, budgeting, supervision, and IT management within higher education.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex IT projects in academic or research settings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a technology-related field, business administration, or a related discipline.
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, budgeting, supervision, and IT management within higher education
• Experience with Ellucian Banner ERP or similar systems (e.g., Workday, PeopleSoft, NetSuite, Jenzabar, Colleague).
• IT management experience in a research-intensive university environment.
• Eligible to obtain up to a TS/SCI Security Clearance.

About NMT:

At the pinnacle of STEM education, research, and innovation since its founding in Socorro, N.M., in 1889, NMT offers degrees and certificates from associate to doctoral levels, houses numerous pioneering research centers, and is a federally-designated Hispanic Serving Institution. A small but mighty campus of 1,565 degree-seeking students in fall 2023 (1,112 undergraduates and 453 graduate students), New Mexico Tech collaborates and offers expertise to industry partners, national labs, government agencies, the White House, and academic institutions.

A learn-by-doing campus, NMT equips classrooms with state-of-the-art technology, allowing faculty, staff, and students to conduct real-world, collaborative research that addresses industry needs and pioneers new advancements. Students regularly participate in rigorous experiential learning, challenging fieldwork, and demanding internships with top firms. They also excel at prestigious national competitions, such as Mini Baja and NASA Lunabotics.

NMT’s renowned research facilities include the Energetic Materials Research Testing Center, Petroleum Recovery Research Center, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Langmuir Laboratory for Atmospheric Research, and the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, among others.

NMT boasts more than 60 patents and patents pending worldwide, including innovations like the nicotine patch. Each year, NMT’s faculty, staff, and students garner over $130 million in grants and contracts; non-taxpayer research expenditures average $75,000 per student; and the average research per faculty member is $800,000.

NMT has trained more than 700,000 workers in Homeland Security, police, and other security- related agencies. New Mexico Tech also conducts top-secret research and serves the nation through training and research programs that involve the Dept. of Defense, Air Force, Army, and other branches of U.S. military.

Majestic mountains overlook NMT’s beautiful, rural, 320-acre campus. The campus also includes a manicured 18-hole golf course (open to the public). Its Macey Center hosts a well- attended performing arts series along with an art gallery. There are outdoor adventures galore nestled amid nearby breathtaking mountains. Big-city attractions in Albuquerque are a quick 75- mile drive north. Santa Fe is 139 miles away from Socorro.

NMT regularly ranks high as a top public college in the West (U.S. News & World Report), public universities for percentage of bachelor’s students who earn a doctorate (National Science Foundation), and as one the best Hispanic-serving universities in America (Niche.com).

How to Apply:

Greenwood Asher & Associates is assisting New Mexico Tech in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. Confidential inquiries, nominations and application materials should be directed to Greenwood Asher and Associates. For a full application package, please submit a cover letter and CV. Submission of application materials as separate PDF attachments is strongly encouraged. The search will be conducted with a commitment of confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. For best consideration, please submit your application by Jan. 3, 2025.

Please direct inquiries, nominations and application materials to:

Itza Walters

Senior Executive Search Consultant

itzawalters@greenwoodsearch.com

Lauren McCaghren

Senior Executive Search Consultant

laurenmccaghren@greenwoodsearch.com

New Mexico Tech (NMT) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution that is committed to providing equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment for all people. This policy applies to students, employees, applicants, vendors, visitors, and guests. NMT prohibits discrimination and harassment based on the following protected characteristics: race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, serious medical condition, spousal affiliation, gender identity, genetic information, pregnancy, and veteran status.

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