Vice President of Institutional Technology/CIO

The Vice President, Institutional Technology and Chief Information Officer (VPIT/CIO) provides strategic leadership for all technology functions at Polk State College. Reporting directly to the College President and serving as a key member of the President''s leadership team, the VPIT/CIO aligns technology initiatives with institutional priorities to improve student outcomes, enhance operational efficiency, and support institutional advancement.

As the senior technology leader, the VPIT/CIO directs all technology initiatives and transition strategies, ensuring successful adoption across all college functions while establishing a practical IT governance framework. This position is responsible for building reliable infrastructure, developing a skilled IT team, and implementing initiatives that reduce costs, improve service quality, and support innovation.

The VPIT/CIO oversees the Institutional Technology Department and manages administrative technology functions through units responsible for:

• Enterprise IT Infrastructure and Network Services
• Telecommunications Services
• Cybersecurity and IT Risk Management
• Administrative Applications
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System Management and Integration
• Technology Support Services

Duties

The VPIT/CIO advances the College''s mission by promoting effective use of technology, ensuring reliable operations, and building a responsive IT service organization that improves student success and institutional performance.Essential Functions/Duties:

• Provides leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of College rules, procedures, and practices pertaining to institutional technology.
• Develops an overall IT strategic plan to maintain a robust and unified institutional technology infrastructure, implementation, and academic and administrative technology strategy, and deliver maximum return on investment in technology resources.
• Provides leadership in assessing operational and technology needs, and formulating strategies and work plans to achieve integrated, efficient, and cost-effective technology solutions.
• Manages the operations of Institutional Technology, overseeing IT functions including enterprise systems, application services, administrative computing, networking, user services, telecommunications, infrastructure services, and security.
• Leads the integration, optimization, and ongoing support of the College''s Ellucian Banner ERP system, ensuring integration with existing systems while maintaining reliable system availability.
• Responsible for the management of the Telecommunications Center and the design, implementation, monitoring, support, and maintenance of high-quality network and telecommunication services for the College and its affiliates, including phone, directory and voice mail services, data and video networks, cabling, card access readers, and security cameras in use at campuses and centers.
• Develops and maintains a 5-year technology refresh plan with appropriate budgeting to ensure systems and endpoints remain current, secure, and effective while managing costs.
• Implements effective cybersecurity protocols that reduce security incidents while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and industry regulations, including, but not limited to, FERPA, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Payment Cart Industry Data Security Standards, and state cybersecurity standards.
• Works with the Provost for Academic Affairs and Workforce Education and Academic Affairs administrators to implement technology solutions that improve teaching and learning, resulting in measurable improvements in student retention, course completion, and graduation rates.
• Supports institutional research and reporting through collaboration with the Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, Accreditation, Research, and the Florida Department of Education.
• Collaborates in creating policies related to research data management.
• Collaborates with senior administrators to implement IT solutions that improve efficiency in Finance, Human Resources, Student Services, and the Office of the President.
• Participates in capital project planning and expansion to ensure the technology needs of the College community are anticipated and met.
• Works with key stakeholders to develop, implement, and advance an overall shared vision for campus technology.
• Oversees projects designed to streamline administrative processes using technology to improve operational efficiencies.
• Creates an environment that ensures the integrity of institutional information, including the development, oversight, and assessment of disaster recovery and backup procedures.
• Fosters a work environment that encourages a culture of high performance focused on improving operations, streamlining work operations, and providing quality customer service.
• Effectively manages operating and capital budgets.
• Manages key relationships with IT vendors and service providers. Participates in vendor contract negotiations for new computer equipment, cloud computing, and software purchases.
• Attends the workplace regularly, reports to work punctually, and follows a work schedule to keep up with the demands of the position.
• Attends all Board meetings.
• Completes duties and responsibilities in compliance with college standards, policies, and guidelines.

Consulting Tasks

• Manages the transition to cloud services, reducing infrastructure costs while improving system performance, reliability, and flexibility through effective management of Ellucian Banner cloud services.
• Develops a multi-year technology plan that aligns with institutional strategic priorities, setting clear goals for implementation success and return on investment.
• Establishes vendor management practices that improve service levels and reduce costs while maintaining or improving service quality.
• Creates clear communications and regular reports that build support for technology initiatives across the college.

Typical Qualifications:Required Knowledge, Skills, and Personal Qualifications:

• Proven ability to lead technology improvements that enhance institutional effectiveness, with documented results.
• Experience implementing enterprise systems in higher education, particularly Ellucian Banner or similar ERP platforms, with evidence of successful adoption.
• Experience developing cybersecurity programs, including risk assessment, policy development, security awareness training, and incident response planning.
• Strong budget management skills with proven ability to manage IT resources, optimize spending, and demonstrate value from technology investments.
• Effective leadership skills with evidence of building productive IT teams that meet service targets and support institutional goals.
• Demonstrated skill in vendor management, contract negotiation, and partnership development.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; and effectively explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences for the purpose of building consensus or decision-making.

Working Conditions

• This position is a full-time on-campus position located at our Winter Haven Campus but will travel between College and community locations as necessary. (Remote/hybrid options are not available.)
• Weekend and evening work may be required.
• Position may be required to work during College closures (such as winter/spring break, holidays, and inclement weather closures).
• Reliable transportation is required for travel to campuses, centers, and community locations. Possession of a valid Florida’s Driver’s License is required (or must be eligible to obtain a Florida license within 30 days).
• Standard office work environment with potential for long periods of sitting and extended time at a computer.
• This position will require the ability to lift at least 10 pounds.

Salary Information

• This position is a level P21. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; short-term disability; paid holidays and sick leave; vacation (excluding faculty positions); retirement benefits for eligible employees; and college fee waivers.

Required Education

• Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university with a master’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field.

Preferred Certifications

• Professional certifications such as ITIL, CISSP, and PMP are highly desirable.

Required Experience

• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience with systems and departments in a higher education or government environment, including student information systems and software, or network management, or administrative systems, and collaborative projects.
• Demonstrated experience with employee and user training and development.
• Demonstrated experience in IT infrastructure strategic planning and development, project management, and policy development.
• Demonstrated experience in organizing, developing, and implementing operational systems and writing guidelines in an educational setting and managing a high-volume workflow office.
• Demonstrated experience with IT Security or cybersecurity with the protection of computer systems and services.