Deputy Chief Information Officer and Systems/Security Architect

This position serves as the second-in-command within Information Technology Services, reports directly to the Chief Information Officer, and acts as the primary backup to the CIO. The position provides direct administrative, operational, and technical oversight of all major ITS functional areas and is responsible for coordinating service delivery, aligning priorities, supporting staff development, and ensuring consistent, secure, and effective technology operations across the University. This position is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive campus-wide technology vision aligned with institutional goals, with a strong emphasis on security, resilience, and innovation. Additional duties include leading the design, integration, and optimization of enterprise systems while ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of university information assets. This position collaborates with university leadership, academic and administrative units, and external partners to advance technology initiatives, promote the secure and effective use of IT resources, and ensure continuity of operations. In the absence of the CIO, this position assumes responsibility and is expected to maintain readiness to transition into the CIO role if needed. Additionally, this position is expected to maintain a high level of technical engagement and may directly participate in the implementation, support, and troubleshooting of systems and security controls as needed to ensure continuity of operations and service delivery. Sponsorship is not available for this position. Provide leadership and oversight for enterprise IT architecture, including systems, infrastructure, networking, cloud services, and security; Serve as the primary advisor to the CIO on technical strategy, risk management, and innovation opportunities; Maintain technical proficiency and as needed, directly participate in critical systems, infrastructure, and information security operations to support organizational needs; Lead and direct the information security programs, including security strategies, implementation of security controls, vulnerability management, penetration testing coordination, incident response planning, and security awareness initiatives, in consultation with the CIO; Lead the design and continuous improvement of enterprise systems architecture to ensure scalability, performance, and security; Provide direct leadership and oversight of all ITS functional units; Supervise, mentor, and evaluate managers/directors responsible for major IT functional areas, providing guidance related to service delivery, career advancement, technical improvement, and security enhancement; Coordinate cross-functional IT operations to ensure consistent prioritization, resource allocation, communication, and service delivery across ITS; Coordinate and align IT initiatives with institutional strategic goals and academic priorities; Assist in the development and management of departmental and campus-wide IT budgets, including forecasting and prioritization of investments; Evaluate emerging technologies and trends to guide strategic planning and maintain a modern, secure IT environment; Direct and participate in risk assessments, vulnerability management, audits, and compliance initiatives; Serve as a primary escalation point for critical incidents, including cybersecurity events, system outages, and infrastructure failures; Lead the development, implementation, and testing of disaster recovery and business continuity plans; Collaborate with campus stakeholders to ensure effective integration of enterprise applications and services; Provide oversight for vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and service delivery; Represent ITS on university committees and in executive discussions; Advocate for technology solutions that enhance teaching, learning, research, and administrative efficiencies; Ensure alignment of IT governance, policies, and procedures with regulatory and compliance requirements; Perform all other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

Assume full operational responsibilities of the CIO in their absence; Maintain 24/7 on-call availability for critical incidents and executive escalation; Lead or support campuswide IT communication efforts during major initiatives or incidents; Ensure regular vulnerability assessments are conducted and support execution as needed to maintain an appropriate security posture; Assist in long-term organizational planning, including staffing, succession planning, and capability development; Promote and lead campus security awareness and training initiatives; Provide oversight and as needed, direct administration of key security and/or incident management systems; Read literature, participate in conferences, and perform other related activities to both maintain and increase knowledge levels of leading-edge developments in IT-related and information security-related fields; Provide oversight and direct support, as needed, for campus business system integrations; Provide guidance and oversight for vulnerability management and system hardening; Represent the department and university at a variety of on-campus meetings or off-campus technical or information security conferences; Ensure that necessary documentation is complete and kept up to date.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Extensive knowledge of enterprise IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, storage, cloud platforms, and enterprise applications; Advanced knowledge of information security frameworks, risk management practices, and regulatory compliance requirements; Ability to design and implement scalable, secure, and resilient enterprise architectures; Ability to lead, coordinate, and evaluate multiple IT functional areas through subordinate managers and directors; Strong understanding of disaster recovery, business continuity, and high-availability systems; Ability to analyze complex technical and organizational challenges and develop effective solutions; Proven leadership and management skills, including supervision, mentoring, and conflict resolution; Strong financial and budget management skills; Ability to balance operational demands with long-term strategic planning; Strong project management and organizational skills; Ability to evaluate emerging technologies and assess institutional impacts; Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate across multiple campus constituencies; Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in sensitive situations; Ability to work effectively under pressure and respond to critical incidents; Strong organizational and problem-solving skills; Strong customer service skills and willingness to assist others; Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, including the ability to instruct, train, present information, and respond to questions or concerns; Ability to manage interpersonal conflict situations requiring tact, diplomacy, and discretion. Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field is required; Master's degree in information technology, cybersecurity, business administration, or a related field is preferred; Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible and recent experience in IT, including systems architecture, infrastructure, and/or security is required; Minimum of seven (7) years of recent IT security experience, including responsibility for institutional risk management, security strategy, and incident response leadership is required; Minimum of seven (7) years of leadership or management experience is required, including supervision of staff, budgetary oversight, and participation in short- and long-term planning and decision-making; Proven experience leading large-scale, cross-functional technology initiatives with significant organizational impact is required; Demonstrated experience in enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, and strategic planning is required; Experience in a higher education IT environment is preferred.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS

Relevant industry certifications preferred, such as: CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional); CISM (Certified Information Security Manager); Microsoft, AWS, or other cloud certifications; Security+ certification or equivalent strongly preferred; Network+ certification or equivalent strongly preferred; Enterprise architecture, networking, systems, or cloud certifications preferred. Applicants must upload a cover letter and resume at the time of application as well as provide contact information for at least three professional references. For questions, please email employment@una.edu or call 256.765.4291 and select option #2. Selecting an option other than #2 will result in a delayed response.