Suny Niagara

SUNY Niagara seeks an accomplished, visionary, and collaborative Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead the College’s technology transformation and position information technology as a strategic driver of institutional excellence.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a dynamic technology executive who thrives on building high-performing teams, modernizing IT operations, strengthening cybersecurity, and delivering exceptional customer service. The CIO will play a critical leadership role in advancing the College’s mission by developing innovative technology solutions that support student success, academic excellence, and operational effectiveness.

As the College’s senior technology executive, the CIO will provide strategic leadership for all aspects of enterprise technology while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Reporting to the Vice President of Administration, the Chief Information Officer is responsible for the strategic vision, leadership, planning, administration, and continuous improvement of the Office of Information Technology Services (OITS). The CIO oversees all institutional technology operations, including enterprise applications, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, infrastructure, networking, telecommunications, technical support, instructional technology, data governance, and digital innovation.

The CIO serves as the College’s principal advisor on technology matters and works collaboratively with campus leadership, faculty, staff, and external partners to develop technology solutions that improve operational efficiency, enhance the student experience, support teaching and learning, and protect institutional information assets.

The successful candidate will lead the modernization of the College’s technology environment by developing a comprehensive technology roadmap, implementing industry best practices, strengthening governance and cybersecurity, and ensuring technology investments support the College’s long-term strategic objectives. The CIO will maximize compliance with GLBA and SOC/SIEM.

Why Join SUNY Niagara?

At SUNY Niagara, we believe that our employees are our greatest asset. In addition to competitive compensation, we offer an outstanding benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. To learn more about our comprehensive benefits, please visit our Benefits webpage: https://sunyniagara.edu/hr/benefits/.

When you join SUNY Niagara, you become part of a supportive, student-centered community where your contributions are valued and your professional growth is encouraged.

Work-Life Balance
We recognize that employees thrive when they have time to excel both professionally and personally. At SUNY Niagara, generous paid time off, holiday, and leave policies make this possible. Our college closes for winter break from late December through early January and a week in mid-March for spring recess. In the summer, employees observe a four-day workweek, allowing them to enjoy valuable time to recharge and pursue personal interests. 

Professional Growth & Development
Your success is our success. SUNY Niagara is committed to supporting lifelong learning through professional development opportunities, workshops, conferences, and educational advancement. We encourage employees to expand their skills, pursue new opportunities, and grow throughout their careers.

Inclusive & Collaborative Community
We are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment where every employee feels valued and respected. By embracing diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, we create a culture of belonging that enriches our campus community and enhances the educational experience for our students.

Meaningful & Rewarding Work
Every role at SUNY Niagara contributes to student success and strengthens the communities we serve. As a member of our faculty, you’ll inspire students, cultivate their talents, and help prepare them for meaningful careers and lifelong learning. Our small class sizes allow you to build strong relationships with students and make a lasting impact on their educational journey.

Make an Impact
If you’re looking for a career where you can inspire students, collaborate with dedicated colleagues, and be part of an institution committed to excellence and community, we invite you to join SUNY Niagara. Together, we are transforming lives through education.

Typical Work Activities:
1. Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for all information technology services and operations.

2. Develops, implements, and evaluates the College’s multi-year Information Technology Strategic Plan and Digital Transformation Roadmap.

3. Provides executive oversight of cybersecurity governance, risk management, security awareness, incident response, disaster recovery, business continuity, identity and access management, vulnerability management, and compliance with applicable security standards including GLBA, FERPA, ADA accessibility requirements, and SUNY and New York State information security policies.

4. Establishes and promotes institutional data governance and data security practices.

5. Evaluates and oversees the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation, and cloud computing.

6. Directs enterprise technology projects and establishes project management standards.

7. Supervises all OITS staff and provides leadership, coaching, performance management, and professional development.

8. Develops and administers departmental operating and capital budgets and long-range technology replacement plans.

9. Negotiates, manages, and evaluates technology vendor contracts and service agreements.

10. Collaborates with academic and administrative leadership to identify technology needs and improve institutional effectiveness.

11. Serves as Co-Chair of the Information Technology Steering Committee and participates on college committees.

12. Represents the College with SUNY, governmental agencies, and external technology organizations.

13. Develops and maintains institutional technology policies, standards, and procedures.

14. Maintains awareness of current and emerging technologies and industry best practices.

15. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or related field;
• Master’s degree preferred or ability to obtain within five (5) years.
• Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible information technology leadership experience, including at least five (5) years supervising professional technology staff.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, budgeting, vendor management, and technology project leadership.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Master’s degree;
• Higher education IT leadership experience;
• Experience with Banner/Ellucian or comparable ERP systems; Microsoft 365, Azure/AWS cloud technologies, ITIL, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, AI governance;
• CISSP, CISM, PMP, or comparable certifications.

SUNY Niagara is a thriving educational institution located between the picturesque landscapes of Niagara Falls and the vibrant city of Buffalo, NY. Our college serves a diverse student population and is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment. With a commitment to academic excellence and student success, SUNY Niagara offers a supportive and collaborative environment for both faculty and staff.

SUNY Niagara is an accredited institution of higher education that offers high-quality academic programs leading to degrees and certificates that are supported by outstanding student services. The top 4 majors of our students are Liberal Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. In 2023, SUNY Niagara ranked #1 in graduation rate among community colleges in New York State!

SUNY Niagara provides a variety of cultural, athletic, social, and international experiences, as well as community education, small business, and workforce development that supports economic development that positively impacts the quality of life of valued stakeholders. The college operates through a collegial model of shared governance and transparency and is accountable for meeting the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

SUNY Niagara has two locations in western New York consisting of 287 acres and 11 buildings. The Sanborn, campus is minutes from Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and the Canadian border and is centrally located between the county’s three main cities of Lockport, Niagara Falls, and North Tonawanda. The Sanborn campus offers a traditional college experience with world-class academics, knowledgeable faculty members, state-of-the-art classrooms, NJCAA athletics, and on-campus housing. We continue to invest in our facilities with the addition of the Learning Commons Center, which has become the nucleus of the campus; a place for faculty to collaborate and help students develop critical thinking skills while incorporating state-of-the-art technology and innovative student support services. We also modernized our campus dining commons, providing quality meal options in a sleek, comfortable, collaborative environment.

The Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (NFCI) is located in the heart of one of the world’s biggest tourist destinations, Niagara Falls. Fully outfitted with modern labs and tools for students to use as they train in both classic and trendy techniques, NFCI is home to Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry Arts, and Hospitality programs. The college also operates Savor, a fine dining restaurant, and La Patisserie, a European-style pastry café, at NFCI.

Our college nurtures and empowers its students and employees in ways that recognize and value our common humanity as well as the richness of our diversity. SUNY Niagara welcomes applicants who want to join a leading regional institution that provides a dynamic, educational environment, responds to students’ current and emerging needs, and strengthens its community. At SUNY Niagara we embrace diversity and promote inclusion throughout the institution by recognizing, accepting, and celebrating differences within our campus and surrounding communities. Therefore, we desire and pursue candidates who share those principles and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.